10 Things I Wish Every Family Knew Before Their Outdoor Photo Session

Listen, I've been photographing families for 8 months now, and let me tell you, I've seen it all. The Pinterest-perfect planners, the last-minute "we'll figure it out" people, the stressed mums, and the families who just show up ready to have FUN.

And you know what? That last group? They're the ones who end up with the most magical photos.

My style is all about candid, lifestyle photography where your children can literally just BE. Run free, play in the woods, roll in the grass honestly there's nothing fake here! But even with my relaxed approach, there are some things that'll make your session SO much better. Here are the 10 things I wish every family knew before we meet for that beautiful experience!

1. Ditch the Pinterest Board (Yes, Really!)

Good old Pinterest! It sets expectations high and gives you those gorgeous ideas. But here's what happens: soon as those expectations are in your head (mums, I'm looking at you)

You stress, you worry, you become impatient with your child because they don't get what the big deal is about.Your little ones? They just wanna come and roll in the grass, get a hug attack from mummy and daddy.

So what I'm saying to you is let that expectation Pinterest board go! Fling it over your head. Because when you do, you stop. You become present with your loved ones. You're chill, relaxed, fun to be with, and your children LOVE it and they laugh.

And guess what? I just captured that expectation you were really hoping for without you even knowing. I have your back!

2. Outfits Are a Game Changer (But Don't Get Tangled Up)

The biggest mistake I see? Either overthinking outfits or not thinking at all.

Here's the truth: outfits ARE important, but it's about comfort and letting your loved ones be them. After all, it's not a fashion show.

My outfit guidelines:

• Stick to neutral colours for outdoor sessions – we don't want your clothes to stand out OR blend in with your surroundings and take the focus off the connection you're having with your loved ones

• Coordinate, don't match! When families show up with coordinated outfits, it lifts my spirits! It shows you care as much as I do about these photos, and honestly? It looks beautiful all together. Chef's kiss in the photography world!

• Comfort is KING! if your toddler hates that scratchy dress or your partner feels stiff in that button-up, it'll show in the photos

I have a full outfit guide if you want more details, but start here: neutral, comfortable, coordinated. Done.

3. Prep Your Children (This Is HUGE!)

This one's so important I actually have an entire separate blog post about it! But let me give you the essentials.

Your children don't understand what's happening. They don't know who I am. And to be honest, it can be a very overwhelming experience for them. That can cause your little ones to misbehave.

What works:

• Chat to them beforehand about who I am

• Tell them we're gonna PLAY

• Explain that someone named Jade will be taking photos while you all have fun together

• Make it sound exciting, not scary (stranger danger is real in their minds!)

4. Timing Is Everything (And I Don't Just Mean Golden Hour)

Everyone asks me: "What time of day is best?"

My answer? Build it around your children's routine.

• Schedule after a nap. Seriously, this is non-negotiable if you have little ones

• In summer, avoid midday sun (I choose field locations that offer shade, but midday is still brutal)

• Golden hour is beautiful, but if that's when your toddler melts down? Pick a different time

A well-rested child who's slightly off-peak lighting beats a cranky child in perfect golden hour EVERY. SINGLE. TIME.

5. Communicate Your Expectations (Even Though I Just Told You to Ditch Them!)

Wait, didn't I just say to let go of expectations? Yes! But there's a difference between rigid Pinterest poses and communicating what matters to YOU.

This is HUGE. Even though your expectations shouldn't be sky-high (because that's pressure, that's stress, and that leads to real memories not unfolding), you might have a shot in mind.

Like:

• "My daughter and our dog together"

• "Cows grazing around my daughter"

• "All three kids hugging dad"

Trust me, I have loads of crazy beautiful shots that mean the world to my clients on my camera roll. I pop this question in my questionnaire, but please if there's a shot you'd love during the shoot or whenever, TELL ME!

What's important to you may not be what I think is important to you. I'm not a mind reader (though I try!).

6. Pack Smart (It's More Than Just Showing Up)

Here's what to actually bring:

The essentials:

• Snacks – not messy ones! And something high energy. Hangry kids = tough photos

• Water – for everyone, especially on warm days

• Backup outfits – this is a MUST

Pro tip about outfits: Don't let your child wear their photo outfit in the car. Change when you get there! You may give them snacks in the car, they might spill, get car sick, whatever. Also bring spare clothes in case they get muddy or wet (which I'm here for, but you may not want in your car!).

Comfort items:

• Toys if they help comfort your child

• Favorite stuffed animal

• Hair ties or clips for touch-ups

What NOT to bring:

• Your phone in your pocket (it shows in photos!)

• Actually, just leave your phone in the car if you can. This is about connection and love, so be present.

7. If You're Bringing Pets, Tell Me First!

I LOVE when families bring their dogs! Those photos are often my favorites! But here's what I need:

• Tell me in advance so I can make sure dogs are welcome at the location

• Bring a lead because they may not always be involved in photos, and we need to keep them safe and under control

• Consider their temperament – if your dog gets anxious around strangers or in new places, maybe save this for a home session instead

Nothing's worse than showing up to a beautiful field only to find out dogs aren't allowed and now someone has to leave with the pup. Let's avoid that!

8. The Day-Of Routine Matters

The morning of your session sets the tone for EVERYTHING.

Here's what I suggest telling your children:

"Today we're gonna have a chill morning, and then we're gonna go to a field and play together while Jade takes photos of us in the outfit you picked out. Then after, we're gonna go to the park!"

Why this works:

• It's honest and clear

• It doesn't sound scary

• It gives them something to look forward to AFTER (park, ice cream, whatever motivates your kid!)

• It keeps them calm while letting them know what's going on

Keep the morning low-key. Don't overschedule. Don't rush. The more relaxed YOU are, the more relaxed they'll be.

9. Weather Isn't the Enemy (But Have a Plan)

Outdoor sessions mean we're at the mercy of the weather. Here's my philosophy:

• Light rain or overcast? Often creates the MOST gorgeous photos – soft light, no squinting, those moody vibes

• Too hot or too cold? We can work with it, but communicate with me and we might need to reschedule for everyone's comfort

• Unexpected downpour? We'll reschedule, no stress

I've learned to embrace weather quirks. Some of my favorite shots have happened on cloudy days or when there's a slight breeze making everything feel alive. Trust the process!

10. Different Families, Different Needs (And That's Okay!)

In my 8 months of doing this, I've noticed clear patterns:

Some families come:

• With outfits beautifully planned

• With shots they'd love taken already thought out

• With older kids already napped and ready to go

• Fully prepared and coordinated

Others rock up:

• Without much outfit coordination (which is fine – come as you are!)

• More spontaneous and go-with-the-flow

Here's the truth: both can work beautifully. But coordinated outfits?

Chef's kiss. It shows you care as much as I do about these photos, and they just look stunning all together.

The families who prepare tend to have smoother, faster sessions with more variety in the shots I can capture. But the magic? That comes from connection, not perfection.

The Real Secret? It's Not About Perfect Preparation

Look, I could give you a 50-point checklist of things to prepare. But here's what actually matters:

Your children can run free. They can play in the woods, roll in the grass, be THEM. There's nothing fake in my sessions, and I don't want you to fake anything either.

The most beautiful photos I've taken? They happened when parents stopped worrying about whether their toddler's hair was perfect or if everyone was looking at the camera. They happened when families just... connected.

So yes, prepare your outfits. Yes, bring snacks. Yes, schedule around nap time.

But most importantly?

Show up ready to be present. Ready to laugh. Ready to hug your people and let them be exactly who they are in this moment.

Because THAT'S what I'm here to capture. Not perfection. Not Pinterest. Just your beautiful, messy, real family exactly as you are.

Trust me. I've got your back.

Ready to book your outdoor family session?

Drop me a message and let's chat about making some magic happen in a field somewhere. And yes, rolling in the grass is absolutely encouraged.

P.S. – Don't forget to check out my outfit guide and my "Prep Your Child for Photos" blog post for even more detailed tips!