Preparing for a Family Photography Session

My sessions usually take place outdoors. Nature, light, space and movement are an essential part of the images. My approach is not based on heavily directed posing. Instead, I work through observation, paying attention to simple gestures and the natural moments that appear between people.

This is therefore not a posed photo session. Most images emerge while you are walking, talking, looking around, or simply being together. I usually create only one more structured family portrait; the rest of the photographs come from real moments as they unfold.

A moment of life

A photography session is not a performance and does not require any special skill. You do not need to know how to pose.
Think of it more as a walk or a moment spent together. Photography grows out of these real moments: a glance, a gesture, a movement in the light.

My role is simply to observe and gently guide when necessary.

Clothing

I recommend wearing clothes in which you feel comfortable — clothes that you truly like and that feel natural to you.
Photographs always work better when people wear something that genuinely belongs to their everyday life.
One small technical recommendation: if possible, avoid wearing pure white, as it reflects a lot of light.
For teenagers especially, it is important that they choose clothes that reflect their personality and how they feel at this moment in their lives.

Preparing yourself

A relaxed face always photographs better. If possible, it can be helpful to do something relaxing before the session: yoga, swimming, pilates, or simply going for a walk. When the body relaxes, the face naturally becomes calmer and more open.
The day before the session, it is also helpful to drink plenty of water — around two litres if possible — to keep the skin well hydrated.
For the meals one, two days before the shoot, I recommend keeping it light and avoiding foods that may affect the skin or digestion, such as excessive sugar, large amounts of bread, or very spicy food.

Skin and makeup

The evening before or the morning of the session, I recommend doing a clay mask. It helps purify the skin and makes it appear smoother and clearer, which works very well in photographs.

Clay masks are recommended for both women and men.

There are many different brands, but personally I have found that the clay masks from the brand Avril offer a very good balance between quality and price. They also have different masks adapted to various skin types.

They can easily be found in pharmacies or organic shops.

For makeup, I recommend keeping it very natural: a little powder and mascara are usually enough. Strong makeup or very bright lipstick is generally less suitable for family portraits.

Hair

Hair is often the most important element of appearance in photographs.

There is no need for a complicated hairstyle. Hair that is simply styled with a hair dryer, with a natural movement, is perfect. Some people also prefer to visit a hairdresser for a simple styling on the same day.

For children

Children do not need to do anything special. They can simply play, walk, run, and be themselves. Many of the most beautiful images appear during these free and natural moments.