I get asked all the time if I have any tips for a smooth session. While every photography session can be unpredictable depending on the age of the kiddos, there are a few universal rules that I think apply across the board. So here they are, my top five tips to reduce the stress of family photography. :) 

1. RELAX! You as the Momma Bird are the indicator for the rest of the tribe. If you are stressed, the kiddos will probably be crazy. I know that in my house the more stressed I am, the more my lovely darlings act like loony birds.  So Mama, just relax. Breathe in and breathe out.  Afterall, we are only taking photographs.

2. Have Fun! Pictures are supposed to showcase the best version of you and your family, I mean you got the special outfits, got dolled up and showed up to pose in nature. Be silly, tell jokes, make each other laugh. It will make your photos 10 times better, I promise. 

3. Rest. This is an important one, I know that our lives are crazy but the more well-rested everyone is, the better our time together will be. This is for everyone, but especially for the littles. If you can schedule after naps, or what I refer to as the pre-cracken time, then let's do it.  You know your kiddos, if they are happier in the mornings schedule a morning session, late risers schedule later in the day. 

4. Feed the beast. Along with rest, this is a big one.  Make sure everyone is fed before the session. We all know what hangry is and nothing is worse than a cranky hungry person being forced to smile. So eat before, bring a snack or whatever you got to do to keep hangriness at bay.  

5. Bribery. Yes, I said it. If your little sunshine is old enough to be bribed then I am going to recommend this controversial method. I mean you get a cooperative kid for a bit and they get a prize. Win-win. Now if your little isn't old enough for trickery, bring a favorite toy, a Nana, Grampy or aunty Suzie. 

Please hit me up if you have any other questions!  

Miss Aiyla was perfectly princess for her first birthday session. The pink theme was adorable and mom did a great job on her outfit! The custom airbrushed Cinderaiyla jacket was super cute! We weren't sure when the session started how it would go. A few tears later we found our rhythm and ended up with some adorable photos that I know Mommy and Daddy will cherish.  I am so in love with this first birthday session. Even I was having a rough day, my three-year-old was just diagnosed with the flu before we started. However, cuteness prevailed and here some of my favorites!  This session was shot in my studio located in Grapevine, Tx. If you would like to schedule a session like this, please email swp@sarahwarephotography.com or complete the information form here.   Sarah 

Little Girls Pink First Birthday Session 

Babys 1st Birthday Session 

Pink Cake Smash Session

Pink Ballons Babys First Bday

Cake Smash

Cake Face, 1st Birthday Session 

There is nothing more magical than that first year with Baby. So many wonderful things happen during that time as you navigate the waters from infancy to the toddler years. First birthday sessions are such a fun way to commemorate those milestones!  Sessions can be done in studio or on location.  You can bring a cake for a little-added sweetness or just have Baby and some fun balloons. There is no limit to the fun that we can create for your portraits.  Book your portraits now and receive $85 off the normal booking price!! I look forward to creating wonderful memories that you can hold onto for a lifetime. Looking forward to meeting you and your cutie patootie soon! xoxox Sarah

Cake Smash Pics on Location at the Grapevine Botanical Gardens. For a session like this please email me swp@sarahwarephotography.com

Almost every photographer has been asked for RAW files by their customers at one point or another. For some, it can be hard to understand why their photographer has refused to part ways with their RAW files, but know that your photographer is not trying to be difficult. They have several good reasons why they don’t just hand over all the photos that were taken during your shoot.

When you’re working with a photographer during a shoot, you’ll notice that they’re constantly snapping away. This is because not all of the images come out perfectly. Sometimes a specific pose or scenario needs to be shot multiple times just to get one good shot. A professional photographer spends a lot of time sorting through all of the images that were taken during a shoot to select the best shots.

Once the best photos have been chosen, they are brought to life through post process editing with professional editing software. This stage which takes a lot of time and results in the beautiful end product that is handed over to you. If your photographer had to give you the RAW files you wouldn’t be seeing the end result.

You’d also be surprised at how many people want the RAW files in order to alter the photos themselves. If that individual then chose to share those photos after making their own adjustments, the integrity of your photographer’s work is put at risk.

Something else to keep in mind is that RAW files are huge and you need a lot of memory to store them. You might also find that you don’t have the proper software available at home to view this type of file,  so again you would be sitting with megabytes of files that you can’t do anything with.

When you hire a professional photographer you’re putting your trust in their abilities. You need to trust that the photos they hand over to you are a result of their hard work, experience and eye for the perfect shot. 

Love what you see here? Email me to book your in studio newborn session, swp@sarahwarephotography.com