The Forrest Family – Casual Family Photos in Bartlesville, OK

After a whirlwind of a spring for the Forrest family, (read: a move and then two weeks later, their new home being damaged by the Bartlesville tornado!), I was so thankful to have the opportunity to take their casual family photos in Bartlesville! We met for a brief and low-key mini-session on a hot July evening. Bug spray, a late start time, and a post-shoot Jared’s Ice Cream were on the docket! (An after-shoot treat is never a bad idea!)

The Perfect Timing for Pictures

There is no better time to schedule family pictures than in the late summer and early fall! If you’re a Christmas card family (we LOVE them!), you’ll want to get on your Bartlesville photographer’s calendar ASAP. The busiest months are typically October and November when the weather has cooled off and the leaves start to turn. I personally love a late summer session like the Forrest’s. Everything is still green so you get more of a “year round” feel to your photos through September and even early October, while beating the rush!

Advice for Family Photos in Bartlesville with Children

The most important advice I give all of my families before a session is to let go of control and expectations. The Forrest kids are older and have been around the block with family photos, so I wasn’t worried! However, it’s important to remember that even older kids can have an “off” day! Now with two toddlers myself, I’ve learned to just roll with the punches. Your children may have a meltdown, they may not be into it, you might feel like we’re not getting anything great, and it is all normal! The families who accept that there may be moments of struggle and don’t allow those moments to stress them out and steal their joy are the parents who normally end up with the best galleries!

A Personal Note – Composition for Connection-Focused Family Photos

On a more personal note, I’ve been slowly working my way through Katelyn James’ brand new composition course. If you know anything about my business backstory, you know the influence she has had on how I’ve modeled and grown MFP over the last decade+! (She was also our wedding photographer!) I have anticipated this course for a while now and it does not disappoint! I was proud of myself for putting some of the principles I’ve learned into practice during this family session. The last one is one of my favorites!