Welcome to the Blog!
\
Travelers Rest Newborn and Family Photographer - Outdoor Newborn Photos
Travelers Rest Outdoor Newborn Photos
I always say that my travelers rest mini sessions can be used for anything - even newborn photos! Erin and Aaron brought their sweet three month old baby to my spring mini sessions in Travelers Rest, South Carolina. We were able to get such sweet outdoor newborn photos of him and some adorable first family photos of this new little family of three!
I was so happy to start off my spring mini sessions with a day full of spring minis on this gorgeous private property owned by some family members of mine. Travelers Rest is such a lovely little town that I love to use for photos! My in laws have the most stunning property with a garden and greenhouse, beautiful open fields, stunning wooded paths and a beautiful large pond with a gazebo and boats.
Your Travelers Rest Family Photos
Are you looking for your own family photoshoot or family mini session in Travelers Rest, South Carolina? I would absolutely LOVE to photograph your sweet family. You can see all of the details about my sessions here: https://michellepoteet.com/family-pricing-download
Your Travelers Rest Newborn Photos
Or if you have a new little one on the way, I would love to photograph your newborn photoshoot! I photograph outdoor newborn sessions, studio newborn sessions, and in home newborn sessions! You can even book a newborn mini session! You can see all of the details and information about my newborn sessions here: https://michellepoteet.com/newborn-pricing-1
Travelers Rest Newborn and Family Photographer
Hey there! I’m Michelle! I’m a newborn photographer, family photographer, AND a newborn and family VIDEOGRAPHER located in the Greenville, South Carolina area! I would absolutely LOVE to photograph (and video) your family or newborn session! You can book a session with me here! I can’t wait to have your sweet family in front of my camera soon! I love helping sentimental mamas preserve life’s sweetest moment through photos and videos they can cherish forever
Family Photographers in Travelers Rest, SC
If you’re looking for family photographers in Travelers Rest, SC, you’ve come to the right place! I would absolutely LOVE to be your family photographer! Let me start by showing you some sweet photos I had the pleasure of taking spring bloom family photos for this sweet family of five here in Travelers Rest, South Carolina! I loved getting to photograph this mom, dad, and their two wild toddlers and their adorable baby boy.
The crazier and more chaotic, the more fun in my opinion! I love fun and energetic toddlers. They always make for the BEST and most authentic family photography poses and prompts. This fun family chose Furman University for their photoshoot. I love the SHI institute for sustainable agriculture. They have stunning gardens all year round. Including beautiful blooming trees in the spring! This is my absolute favorite spot for family photos in the Greenville or Travelers Rest area!
If you want true to life yet light and enhanced, authentic and natural family photos that show of the real love, connection, and bond that your family has, I want to be your Travelers Rest family photographer!!
If you want to book your own family photos, you can see all of the information here: https://michellepoteet.com/family-pricing-download
Or if you have a little one on the way, you can see all of the information about my newborn photoshoots here: https://michellepoteet.com/newborn-pricing-1
Hey there! I’m Michelle! I’m a newborn photographer, family photographer, AND a newborn and family VIDEOGRAPHER located in the Greenville, South Carolina area! I would absolutely LOVE to photograph (and video) your family or newborn session! You can book a session with me here! I can’t wait to have your sweet family in front of my camera soon! I love helping sentimental mamas preserve life’s sweetest moment through photos and videos they can cherish forever
Family Photos With Dogs and Horses in Travelers Rest, South Carolina
As part of Nic and Suz’s branding photoshoot for their dog breeding business (Bernedoodle DO), we also took some sweet family photos for them with three of their teenage daughters. Since they are a family business, it just made sense to include their girls! We took some of these photos inside one of their gorgeous airbnb’s in Travelers Rest, South Carolina. And the rest were taken on their personal property less than a mile away.
Of course we had to include a few of their miniature bernedoodles as well as their horse! Pets are part of the family! That’s why I’m a dog friendly, horse friendly, and pet friendly family photographer!
Also, did you know this gorgeous home is available to rent hourly for photoshoots? AND it’s free for my clients! It would be absolutely PERFECT for a newborn session if you don’t want to worry about cleaning your home. Or if your home doesn’t have great natural light. They have a few other airbnb’s that are stunning for photos as well! And also available for hourly rent for photoshoots!
Want your own family photoshoot? See all the details and download my full pricing guide here: https://michellepoteet.com/family-pricing-download
Have a little one on the way? See all of the details about my newborn sessions here: https://michellepoteet.com/newborn-pricing-1
Hey there! I’m Michelle! I’m a newborn photographer, family photographer, AND a newborn and family VIDEOGRAPHER located in the Greenville, South Carolina area! I love helping sentimental mamas preserve life’s sweetest moment through photos and videos they can cherish forever.
I would absolutely LOVE to photograph (and video) your family or newborn session! You can book a session with me here! I can’t wait to have your sweet family in front of my camera soon!
Greenville, South Carolina Branding and Headshot Photographers
Branding photos don’t have to be boring - in fact they’re not supposed to be! Your headshots and branding photos should represent your business. And if you have a personal brand or a small business, your brand should represent YOU! Your clients or customers (and potential or future customers) want to get to know you! As your Greenville, South Carolina branding and headshot photographer, it’s my job to create something authentically YOU that fully represents your brand and your personality.
But how do you as a small business owner with limited time and capacity help your clients and potential clients get to know you and your personality in a way that helps them know, like and trust you WITHOUT excessive back and forth communication? I’ve found one of the best ways to be by showing YOU - all over! Your website, your social media, your Instagram, and ESPECIALLY your pricing page.
So that’s exactly what we did for my friends over at Bernedoodle DO. Suz is a mini bernedoodle breeder in Travelers Rest, SC. And she also owns three stunning airbnbs in TR South Carolina as well! During Suz’s branding photos, I wanted to show off her dogs as well as my personal favorite out of her airbnbs!
P.S. These airbnb’s are also available to rent hourly for photoshoots! For any of my clients, they are a free add on! This space would be PERFECT for a newborn photoshoot if you don’t want to use (or clean) your own home!
Since Bernadoodle DO is a family business, we also did branding photos for Suz’s husband and kids! Keep an eye on the blog to see the rest of this FUN branding session. And don’t miss the branding VIDEOS we took for them too!
If you’re looking for your own branding photos and videos and headshots in Greenville, South Carolina, I would love to work with you! Feel free to reach out so we can chat about your brand!
How To Price Your Photography Business
Three Things That Should (and Should Not) Determine Your Photography Pricing
If you’ve ever stared at your pricing list and thought, “Is this too much? Too little? What are other photographers charging?”—you’re not alone. Pricing your photography services can feel overwhelming and emotional, especially when you’re trying to make a living doing something you love.
But here’s the truth: if you want to run a sustainable and profitable photography business, your pricing has to be rooted in logic, not comparison. So today, I’m breaking down three things that should determine your pricing—and three things that absolutely should not. Let’s dive in.
BUT FIRST! I have a free gift for you that will help you figure out the best way to price AND market your photography business. Download my free Ideal Client Workbook to help you get clear on who you want to serve, how to speak directly to them, and ultimately attract clients who are happy to pay your prices.
This is the first step to building a photography business that’s both profitable and joyful.
Download the Ideal Client Workbook here
✅ What Should Determine Your Photography Pricing
1. How Much Money You Want to Make
Yes, this is where you start! Your pricing should be based on your income goals—not pulled from thin air or based on what someone else is charging. If you want to make $75,000 per year and only shoot 50 sessions annually, that means you need to average $1,500 per session. It’s that simple.
Dream big, get specific, and reverse-engineer your pricing to support the life and schedule you want.
2. How Many Sessions You Want to Take
Burnout is real, and your pricing needs to reflect the actual capacity you have. If you’re a mom with young kids, like I am, maybe you only want to shoot one session a week. Or maybe you want to shoot three sessions a weekend and take weekdays off.
Once you know how many sessions you want to take, you can set your prices accordingly to still hit your income goals. More sessions can mean lower prices, fewer sessions will likely mean higher prices—but it’s all up to you.
3. Your Business Expenses
You are running a business—not a hobby. That means you need to take into account everything from your gear and editing software to subscriptions, taxes, education, marketing tools, and more. If you’re not building those costs into your pricing, you’re not truly profitable.
Know your numbers. Every dollar you spend to run your business needs to be factored into what you charge.
❌ What Should Not Determine Your Pricing
1. What Other Photographers Are Charging
I know it’s tempting to peek at the competition and base your prices off theirs—but their goals, expenses, lifestyle, and experience aren’t yours. You don’t know if they’re profitable, struggling, or even booking clients.
Your business is unique. Price accordingly.
2. What You Think Clients Are Willing to Pay
If you assume people won’t pay higher prices, you’ll never raise them—and you’ll stay stuck. But trust me: there are clients out there who value what you offer and are willing to pay for it. (Especially when you learn how to market to your ideal client—more on that in a sec.)
Pricing out of fear leads to burnout. Pricing with strategy leads to freedom.
3. How Long You’ve Been in Business
Experience matters, but it’s not the only factor in your value. Some photographers come out of the gate with talent, education, and business strategy and start booking high-end clients right away. Others take longer to build.
Your pricing should reflect your skill, your client experience, and your goals—not just the number of years you’ve been in business.
Ready to Price with Purpose?
If you’re tired of guessing and ready to confidently price your photography services based on strategy (not fear or comparison), I’ve got a free gift for you!
Download my free Ideal Client Workbook to help you get clear on who you want to serve, how to speak directly to them, and ultimately attract clients who are happy to pay your prices.
This is the first step to building a photography business that’s both profitable and joyful.
Download the Ideal Client Workbook here
You’ve got this—and I’m cheering you on every step of the way.
How to Book Your First 5 Family Photography Clients
Are you tired of feeling like no one’s booking you for family sessions?
Or maybe you’re wondering, “How in the world do I even get started?”
Trust me, I’ve been there. Booking your first few family photography clients can feel overwhelming—but it’s so doable with the right steps. Whether you're just starting out or switching over to family sessions from another niche, this post will walk you through exactly how to land your first 5 bookings.
By the end of this post, you’ll know where to find those first few clients, how to make yourself visible locally, and how to start looking like a pro online.
Bonus: Don’t forget to download my free Family Posing Guide to feel confident and prepared at your very first session!
1. Start With Your Inner Circle
Your very first family clients don’t need to come from strangers on the internet—they’re probably already in your life!
Start by reaching out to:
Friends with young kids
Family members
Coworkers or acquaintances in your community
Let them know you’re offering a limited-time portfolio-building discount or doing a few model call sessions to gain experience and build your portfolio. Be clear about what’s included (and what’s not), and create a great experience for them.
Pro Tip: Treat these early sessions just like a paid one! Deliver a great client experience from start to finish so they’ll rave about you to their friends.
Feeling nervous about posing? You are not alone! That’s why I created a free Family Posing Guide to help you feel confident going into your very first sessions. Grab your free guide here.
2. Build Local Visibility
Once you’ve got a few shoots under your belt, it’s time to start getting visible in your community. Your next 2–3 clients will likely come from word-of-mouth and local networking.
Here are a few ideas:
Join local Facebook groups or parenting forums and share helpful, non-spammy posts (think: “Mini Session tips” or “What to wear for fall family photos”).
Network with local businesses that cater to families—like preschools, hair salons, pediatricians, or kids’ boutiques.
Offer a referral perk to your earliest clients! Something simple like a $25 print credit or a free 8x10 print goes a long way.
Don’t be afraid to talk about your business! Every conversation is a potential connection.
3. Position Yourself Like a Pro Online
Even when you’re just starting out, you can still look like a professional. A polished online presence builds trust and makes people more likely to book you.
Here’s how:
Create a clean, simple landing page or Instagram portfolio (no need for a full website just yet!).
Show only your best 5–10 images—less is more. Highlight quality over quantity.
Share your client experience in your captions or short-form videos. Let people know what it’s like to work with you—easygoing, fun, relaxed!
If you’re comfortable on camera, try sharing short clips talking about your work, your why, or behind-the-scenes moments during shoots.
You’ve Got This!
I know it can feel slow at first—but remember, every photographer started at zero. Booking your first five clients is 100% possible if you follow these steps consistently. Start with your circle, grow your visibility, and keep showing up online.
And if you want a little extra help feeling confident at your first session, don’t forget to download my free Family Posing Guide. It’ll walk you through simple, natural poses to help your families feel comfortable and connected.
You’ve got this, friend! ❤️
Passive Income Ideas for Photographers
Simple Ways to Make More Money Without More Sessions
As photographers, our time is valuable—and there’s only so much of it. That’s why building streams of passive income is so important for growing your business without burning out. If you’re looking to make more money without booking more sessions, here are a few of my favorite ways to create passive income as a photographer.
1. Upsell Digital Images
One of the easiest and most effective ways to increase your income is by upselling additional images from each session.
Here’s how I do it:
For mini sessions, I include 5 edited digital images.
For full sessions, I include 20 edited images.
I upload the full gallery (with a watermark) to Pixieset, and I send my clients a coupon code that allows them to download the number of images included in their session.
From there, clients can:
Purchase individual additional images, or…
Buy the entire gallery with one click.
Most of the time? They fall in love with more than their allotted number—and upgrading becomes a no-brainer.
Pro Tip: Make sure your galleries are packed with variety! If you only deliver 20 poses, your clients may only choose one of each. But if you offer lots of variation in posing, framing (wide vs. close-up), and orientation (horizontal vs. vertical), they’ll be much more likely to upgrade to get everything. Ready to uplevel your posing and create tons of variety? Download my free family session posing guide here. Or my free newborn session posing guide here.
Want to know exactly what I say when I deliver a Pixieset gallery?
Download my free email template here!
2. Turn on the Pixieset Store
If you’re not already using the Pixieset store, now’s the time! When you turn on the store feature, clients can order prints, albums, and other products straight from their gallery—and you’ll earn a percentage of each sale.
Bonus: This is passive income that continues to roll in after the session is done. You don’t need to do anything except turn on the feature and promote it.
3. Create an Amazon Storefront
I highly recommend joining the Amazon Influencer Program and setting up your own Amazon Storefront. This is perfect if you’re already recommending outfits, baby products, or gear to your clients (and if you aren’t—you should be!).
For example:
In my outfit guide, I include Amazon links to client-approved wardrobe pieces.
One of my favorite brands to recommend for mamas is Nothing Fits But—which is available right on Amazon.
Every time a client shops through my storefront, I earn a small commission.
It adds up—and it’s totally passive.
Want to see what this could look like?
Check out my own Amazon storefront here for inspo.
4. Use Email Marketing to Drive Print Sales
Once your gallery is delivered, your job isn’t done! You can use email marketing tools like Flodesk (get 50% off with this link) to remind clients to purchase prints and products—especially during key times of the year like:
Mother’s Day
Christmas
Grandparents’ birthdays
Back-to-school season
A simple, well-timed reminder can lead to more gallery downloads, print orders, and products purchased—without any extra work from you.
Ready to Start Earning More—Without Working More?
Passive income doesn’t have to be complicated. A few smart systems can help you earn more from every session, serve your clients better, and grow your income while protecting your time.
Start with one of the ideas above and see how it works for your business. Then slowly build from there!
How to Get Natural & Authentic Poses for Family Photography
How to Get Natural & Authentic Poses for Family Photography
Your family photo sessions should never feel stiff or forced. As a family photographer, your goal isn’t just to get everyone smiling at the camera—it’s to capture real moments, genuine emotions, and the true connection each family shares.
So how do you actually do that?
In this post, I’m walking you through exactly how to get natural and authentic poses during your family photography sessions—without making your clients feel awkward or overly posed.
Whether you’re just getting started or looking to level up your posing skills, these go-to tips and prompts will help you photograph an entire session that feels fun, relaxed, and full of heart.
And if you love these ideas, don’t miss the FREE Posing Guide for Family Photographers I created just for you! It includes all of my favorite prompts plus tons of variations you can bring to your next session. Just click here to download it or scroll to the end of this post.
Why Authentic Family Posing Is About So Much More Than "Put Your Hand Here. Tilt your Head that way"
Posing families is so much more than adjusting hand placement or tilting chins.
It’s about:
Helping every family member feel comfortable enough to be their true selves.
Facilitating meaningful, real interactions between parents and kids.
Creating a fun, joy-filled environment that sparks real smiles and laughter.
Making mamas feel confident and beautiful in front of the camera.
Taking the time to know your families so well that they feel seen and loved.
When done right, your images don’t just look good—they feel good. They tell a story. They make moms cry happy tears. They preserve this season of life in the most honest, beautiful way.
Let’s dive into how you can make that happen.
1. Direct Movement for Natural Reactions
One of the biggest secrets to natural-looking poses? Movement.
Instead of static “stand and smile” setups, give your families prompts that encourage them to move. This sparks real interaction and makes everyone feel less like they’re “posing” and more like they’re just playing together.
✨ Try this:
“Hold hands and walk toward me while laughing!”
“The ‘Ring Around the Rosie’ prompt always gets the best giggles!”
Even a small shift—like swaying back and forth or spinning a toddler—can create gorgeous in-between moments filled with connection and joy.
2. Create Emotional Connection in Your Posing
If your families look a little disconnected or stiff in photos, this might be the missing piece.
Great posing isn't about symmetry—it's about emotional connection.
Instead of telling them to stand close and smile, try prompts that encourage intimacy and interaction:
✨ Try this:
“Whisper something funny into Mom’s ear.”
“Make a family sandwich—get as close as humanly possible!”
“Look at your child like it’s the first time you saw them.”
When you prompt your clients to interact in meaningful ways, everything shifts. The smiles become real. The body language softens. The connection shines through.
And here’s a pro tip: Read the family dynamic. Not every family is super touchy or outgoing. Tailor your prompts to match their vibe.
3. Let Families Be Themselves
Some of the most magical moments happen when you simply step back.
Yes, your prompts matter—but so does your ability to let go of control and let the moment unfold naturally.
✨ Try this:
“Ask the kids to run up and give their parents the biggest hug ever!”
“Tell Dad to chase the kids around while Mom watches and giggles.”
“Have everyone cuddle on a blanket and just chat for a second.”
Your job is to guide the moment, not force it.
Let go of perfection. The messy hair, the belly laughs, the toddler tantrums—they’re real, and they’re beautiful.
Your Family Sessions Can Be Magical—And Stress-Free
Your family sessions don’t need to be perfectly posed to be perfect. They just need to be real.
As the photographer, you set the tone. When you create a safe, fun, and relaxed environment, your families feel it—and it shows in your images.
If you’re ready to bring more authenticity, emotion, and connection into your work, don’t forget to grab your FREE Posing Guide for Family Photographers. It’s packed with easy-to-use prompts and tons of variations so you can photograph an entire session with confidence and ease.
👉 Download the Free Posing Guide Here
You’ve got this, friend! Go out there and create some magic.
If you want to go even deeper with me, check out my posing course for family photographers. Mastering Authentic Connection, the Complete Posing Course For Family Photographers where you will not only learn EVERY SINGLE prompt and pose that I use for every different type of family session from families with babies and toddlers to families with older kids to extended family sessions. You will also learn how I overcome any potential challenges such as working with grumpy dads or teens and overcoming toddler meltdowns. And you’ll learn how to serve special needs families well. And how to create an amazing client experience for your clients.
You’ll also get to watch me photograph four full family sessions. Hear exactly what I say to each of my families to achieve each pose and see exactly how I create a fun environment that allows every member of the family to have fun, relax, and be their genuine authentic self.
How to Start a Client Closet for Family, Maternity, and Newborn Photographers
Thinking about starting a client closet as a family or newborn photographer? Today, I’m breaking down the how, when, and why behind creating a photography client closet that enhances your client experience and helps you capture stunning, flattering photos—especially for mamas. You’ll learn why a client closet can elevate your brand, when it makes sense to invest in one (hint: it’s all about charging enough and wanting to uplevel), and how to begin with just a few staple dresses that work across multiple sizes. Whether you’re a new photographer or ready to take your portrait sessions to the next level, this video will walk you through the essential first steps to building a functional, beautiful client wardrobe.
BUT FIRST, download my FREE client closet starter guide.
WHY you should start a client closet as a motherhood photographer
It’s our job as family and newborn photographers to flatter our mamas. ESPECIALLY our postpartum mamas. Being invited into the newborn bubble is such a sacred and beautiful time. It’s also a vulnerable time and there is so much going on, so much changing with mama’s body. They have no idea what size they’re going to be. And if they’re a first time mom, they have no idea how to dress for a postpartum body. And they have no idea what photographs well and looks good on camera.
You can drastically improve your client experience and uplevel your photos by providing dresses for mamas for newborn, maternity, and family sessions.
WHEN to start your client closet
When should you start your client closet as a motherhood and newborn photographer?
When your prices are high enough that you can purchase client closet dresses while remaining profitable
When you’re ready to uplevel your client experience
When you’re ready to uplevel your photos and your portfolio
When you’re ready to increase your prices.
HOW to start your client closet
Start with well made high end dresses that mamas will love and want to wear! Start with versatile dresses that fit multiple sizes and will work for family, maternity AND newborn sessions. Here are my client closet dress criteria:
Smocked top
Flowy waist
Nursing friendly
Bump friendly
Midi Length
Neutral or Subtle Colors
Solid or subtle patterns
Ready to start your client closet.
Cinematic Spring Blooms Mini Session Highlight Video - Greenville SC Family Photographer and Videographer
Hey Greenville, SC mamas! Did you know that you can get a cinematic highlight video included with your family photos as part of your spring mini session on Greenville, South Carolina?? I’m proud to be the first and only newborn and family photographer in Greenville, SC that also offers cinematic family and newborn session videos. Check out the family session video below to see what is possible to achieve in just a short mini session! This was in addition to a gallery of over 200 beautiful images for this family! We were able to capture all of this in only a 20 minute mini session during the peak of the spring blooms here in Greenville.
Want a spring mini photo and video session?? You can see all the details here: https://michellepoteet.com/spring-mini-sessions-greenville
Want a full family session instead? You can see all of the details here: https://michellepoteet.com/family-pricing-download
I would love to have you and your family in front of my camera this spring to capture all of the sweet, sentimental moments of this season of life. I can’t wait to work with you! If you’re looking for authentic, sweet, and FUN family or newborn photos, you’ve found your photographer! I’ll provide a stress-free experience for you, mama. And the whole family will have SO much fun at your family photoshoot.
If you’re a photographer interested in learning more about how I pose families for family photos, you can download my FREE posing guide for family photographers here: https://michellepoteet.com/free-posing-guide
And you can see ALL of my educational resources for photographers here: https://michellepoteet.com/photography-education
Spring Bloom Mini Sessions in Greenville, South Carolina
Greenville, South Carolina is the PERFECT city for spring bloom mini sessions. I always love taking family photos here in the spring! Spring is the BEST time of year in the upstate SC area. The weather is amazing. Not too hot. Not too cold. And the beautiful blooms are the most beautiful I’ve seen! Spring bloom mini sessions might be my favorite mini sessions that I get to photograph all year!
I love the stunning cherry blossoms at Legacy Park are always so perfect for spring family mini sessions in March and April. Peach tree bloom mini sessions are perfect for March in the Greenville, SC area. Roses tend to bloom in late April, early May. And lots and lots of beautiful trees and flowers bloom in between. If you’re looking for spring bloom mini sessions in the Greenville, South Carolina area, March, April, and May are the perfect time frame for your spring family photos.
Are you looking for spring bloom mini sessions in Greenville, South Carolina? I would LOVE to be your family photographer this spring! You can see all of the info on my spring mini sessions here: https://michellepoteet.com/spring-mini-sessions-greenville
If you prefer a full family session, you can see ALL the details here: https://michellepoteet.com/family-pricing-download
OR if you’re expected a newborn baby, you can see all of the information on my newborn sessions here: https://michellepoteet.com/newborn-pricing-1
Hey mama! Are you looking for Greenville, South Carolina newborn photographers, maternity photographers, or family photographers? I would absolutely LOVE to work with you! i serve Greenville, SC, Travelers Rest, South Carolina, Taylors, SC, Greer, SC, Simpsonville, South Carolina, Five Forks South Carolina, and more towns in the upstate south carolina area.
You can see ALL of the information on my family photoshoots here: https://michellepoteet.com/family-pricing-download
And you can see ALL of the information on my newborn photoshoots here: https://michellepoteet.com/newborn-pricing-1
The 9 Things I Bring To Every Family Photoshoot as a Family Photographer
What do families photographers need to bring to family sessions besides just their camera gear if they want to ensure that every session is successful? In the YouTube video below, I show you 9 things that I bring with me to my family sessions that help to create a fun and relaxed environment, help me get amazing photos, and help me make sure every member of the family is having fun
But first: make sure to download my free posing guide for family photographers! I give you my favorite prompts and poses for family sessions AND give you variations for each one. You could take this guide with you to your next family session and photograph the entire session with just these poses and the variations and walk away with a STUNNING full gallery of fun, authentic, and natural family photos. Download it HERE!
The 9 things I bring with me to every family session:
This little monkey is a shutter buddy that I put on my camera to help kids know where to look! Instead of just saying hey look at this big black camera. I can say look at my friendly smiling monkey!
I love being able to provide a client closet for mamas for all of my sessions! It’s something extra that can really help with providing an incredible client experience.
I’m always prepared with lots of bow options for baby girls - just in case the parents forget or one gets lost along the way.
In addition to my client closet for moms, I also provide outfits for babies from newborn to 6 month olds.
5. Blanket for sitting on and playing London bridge
I like to bring a white blanket. I use this for sitting photos and laying down photos in addition to playing London Bridge, the Parachute game, and letting the parents swing their kids in it!
These work super well for when kids need a break , but I can still get great photos while they read!
For those times when I really need some extra help getting kids to smile!
This is for filming myself behind the scenes for social media content!
This is so helpful for getting individual photos if there is a baby under 6 months.
Did any of these items surprise you? Are there any that you’re going to try using at your next family session? Let me know in the comments!
Don’t forget to download my free posing guide for family photographers!
Top 3 Posing Mistakes Family Photographers Make (and how to fix them)
The Top 3 Posing Mistakes Family Photographers Make and How to Fix Them
Let's chat about some big mistakes I see family photographers making all the time AND how you can fix them if you're making these mistakes.
BUT FIRST download my FREE posing guide for family photographers HERE.
1. Show clients a photo on their phone
This one drives me crazy! And honestly, I'm always shocked at how many photographers think this is okay! The biggest issue with this is you'll never be able to actually create authenticity in your photos if you're asking your clients to copy something from a photo. What you should do instead is SHOW your clients with your own body how to position themselves.
2. Have a posing “system” where they do the same poses at every session
Your families are unique, and it's our job to capture this sweet season of life that they are in! Each family's gallery should authenticity feel like THEM. Get to know your clients so you can tailor your prompts and poses specifically to their personalities, their love, and their unique connection as a family
3. Not take control of the session
It may seem counterintuitive but being a “fly on the wall” photographer doesn't actually create authenticity. Clients need directions and prompts! Don’t be afraid to take charge! Even as a candid photographer, it's your job to create the environment for those natural interactions to happen. Observe them and see what they naturally do and what you can enhance.
Are you making these mistakes when it comes to posing your clients? Do you want even more help creating truly authentic family photos for your families?
If you want to go even deeper with me, check out my posing course for family photographers. Mastering Authentic Connection, the Complete Posing Course For Family Photographers where you will not only learn EVERY SINGLE prompt and pose that I use for every different type of family session from families with babies and toddlers to families with older kids to extended family sessions. You will also learn how I overcome any potential challenges such as working with grumpy dads or teens and overcoming toddler meltdowns. And you’ll learn how to serve special needs families well. And how to create an amazing client experience for your clients.
You’ll also get to watch me photograph four full family sessions. Hear exactly what I say to each of my families to achieve each pose and see exactly how I create a fun environment that allows every member of the family to have fun, relax, and be their genuine authentic self.
And don’t forget to download my FREE posing guide for family photographers here.
How To Get Natural and Authentic Poses for Family Photographers
Your Family Photo should feel fun, relaxed and natural! Your clients should NOT be forcing fake smiles! In this video, we’re going to talk about HOW to make your family photos genuine, natural and authentic!
Posing Families is SO much more than just “put your hand here. Tilt your head that way.” It’s making every member of the family feel comfortable enough to be their authentic self. It’s facilitating genuine emotions between parents and their children. It’s creating a fun environment for real family memories. It’s making mamas feel confident and beautiful. It’s getting to know your families in a way that makes them feel seen and loved so that you can capture their true personalities. It’s been able to deliver galleries that make mamas cry happy tears because you captured this season of their life perfectly.
In the YouTube video below, I to be share some of my favorite go to prompts for family photography that ALWAYS work.
If you love these poses, I’ve put together an entire FREE posing guide for family photographers where I give you ALL of my favorite prompts for authentic family photos. I also give you TONS of variations for each prompt. You can take this posing deck to your family sessions and photograph an entire session with just these prompts. Go ahead and download the guide right here and give it a try at your next family session!
Use Movement For Natural Reactions
Everyone feel more comfortable when they are moving instead of standing still! If I’m trying to get a good looking and smiling at the camera photo but the kids just want to run around and be crazy, sometimes I’ll ask them to hop up and down in place! That way we can get that good looking and smiling photo that mom wants and also get really good genuine, natural smiles from the kids! Just remember to increase your shutter speed!
Work with toddler’s natural tendencies and personalities, not against them!
Some toddlers love to be held, while others are more independent. Either way is totally fine and normal! It’s important to stay flexible in your posing and tailor your prompts to the family’s personalities. If the toddlers love to be held, one thing I love to do is put them on mom and dad’s shoulders! That way they feel safe and secure getting held by mom and dad but they also are more willing to work with me and the fun poses and prompts that I have for them!
Get to know your clients!
I love to get to know my clients through a questionnaire that I send them prior to the session as well as observe their natural personalities at the actual session! That way I can tailor my prompts and poses to each family. Some poses and prompts work better for some families than others depending on personality and age!
Your Family Photo should feel fun, relaxed and natural! Your clients should NOT be forcing fake smiles! It’s your job as a family photographer to create an environment that sets everyone at ease, allows every member of the family to have fun, and help everyone relax enough that they are truly able to be their authentic selves.
Which of these prompts are you excited to try? Drop a comment below!
If you want to go even deeper with me, check out my posing course for family photographers. Mastering Authentic Connection, the Complete Posing Course For Family Photographers where you will not only learn EVERY SINGLE prompt and pose that I use for every different type of family session from families with babies and toddlers to families with older kids to extended family sessions. You will also learn how I overcome any potential challenges such as working with grumpy dads or teens and overcoming toddler meltdowns. And you’ll learn how to serve special needs families well. And how to create an amazing client experience for your clients.
You’ll also get to watch me photograph four full family sessions. Hear exactly what I say to each of my families to achieve each pose and see exactly how I create a fun environment that allows every member of the family to have fun, relax, and be their genuine authentic self.
In Home Lifestyle Newborn Session Photos and Videos in Greenville, SC
It' was such an honor to take both photos and videos for baby Everett’s in home lifestyle newborn session in Greenville, SC!
It’s such a privilege to be invited into the homes of new moms and dads and brand new babies to document those early days with a new baby. It’s even more of a privilege to be able to take thee sweet highlight videos for my families in addition to their full photo gallery!
My goal is always to make these newborn photos and videos as stress free for families as possible! With two babies myself, I know how tough those early postpartum days can be. Your newborn photos should be a fun experience, not an additional stress. One of the ways I do this is by providing everything you need! I bring swaddles and outfits for babies as well as dresses for mamas. You only have to dress dad (and any other kids you may have), but don’t worry! My outfit guide with links to specific outfits makes that part easy too! Another thing I do to alleviate any stress is I don’t require baby to be a certain age. Many photographers require baby to be less than two weeks old, but I don’t mind waiting if you need more time to heal and feel like yourself before your newborn photos! Baby Everett was one month old, and he did amazing for his newborn photos and videos!
If you’re a mama or a mama to be (or a daddy to be), you can learn more about my newborn photos and videos here: https://michellepoteet.com/newborn-pricing-1
P.S. For Newborn Photographers! We filmed the behind the scenes from this session for my new course all about lifestyle newborn photography - coming soon!! You can get on the waitlist here!
Posing Inspiration for Newborn Photos
Newborn Photographers (or aspiring newborn photographers)! We filmed the behind the scenes of this in home lifestyle newborn session for my newborn photography course, coming soon! You can get on the waitlist here!
Everett was one month old at the time of this newborn session. I’m not a newborn photographer that is strict on the timeframe that the photos must be done in. I’ve had babies as old as 3 months old for newborn photos. It’s important to stay flexible and not assume that every newborn session will me the same. For example, older newborns may not do as well with swaddles. Sometimes they are just more awake, stronger, and they like to break out of my newborn wraps. No big deal! I bring lots of outfits for newborns in addition to swaddles.
Surprisingly, even with Everett already being one month old (and born at almost 9 pounds!), he did great with the swaddle! I used a plain white one, a light blue one to match mama’s dress, and a lacy white one. I also used a little white outfit that I brought.
I can’t wait for you to watch me photograph this session as part of my new newborn photography course. In the meantime, you can use these photos as posing inspiration for your own newborn sessions!
If you’re a mama or a mama to be (or a daddy), you can learn more about my newborn photo and video sessions here!
Posing Inspiration for a Family Photoshoot with 3 under 3!
Are you a family photographer searching for posing inspiration for a family photoshoot with three toddlers?? Well, you can actually virtually shadow me at the entire session below! You can hear exactly what I say to my clients to achieve each pose. You can learn my session workflow and how I structure my family photoshoots. You can hear how I talk to toddlers who are skeptical and not sure about being in family photos. You can hear how to talk to my clients and how I control the session in a way to make sure every member of the family feels comfortable enough to be their authentic self.
Inside of Mastering Authentic Connection, the Complete Posing Course For Family Photographers, you will learn TONS of prompts and poses, prompts and poses for families with babies and toddlers, prompts and poses for families with older kids, prompts and poses for extended families, and how to tailor your prompts and poses to each family’s unique personality. You will learn how to create an amazing client experience through posing. You will learn how to prepare both you AND your clients for the session ahead of time in order to help them be prepared for the natural, authentic, fun candid style of photography. You will learn how to overcome potential challenges such as working with families with special needs and working with grumpy dads and teens. AND you get to shadow me at 4 full family sessions behind the scenes.
You can learn more about my posing course for family photographers by clicking here. I would love to see you inside!!
Shadow Me at a Family Session with 3 under 3!
Hey Family Photographers! I am so excited, because you can actually virtually shadow me behind the scenes at this entire family session! You can hear what I say to my clients to achieve each pose and how I make everyone feel comfortable enough to be their authentic self. I would love to invite you to shadow me at the session below and also 4 other full family sessions behind the scenes. Just click here to get all of the details on my behind the scenes videos!
If you have ever struggled with drawing a blank at a family session and not knowing what pose to do next. If you tend to stick to the same boring poses at every family session, and you need to learn how to tailor your prompts and poses to each family to truly make your sessions authentic. If you struggle with getting toddler to cooperate. If you struggle with knowing how to get grumpy dads to actually have fun. Shadowing me behind the scenes is your ticket to elevate your posing, your client experience, and your confidence behind the camera! Click here to learn more and get TONS of prompts and posing inspiration for your family photoshoots!!
Check out this sweet family video below from a family photo session. I love creating these sweet highlight videos for my family along with their photo gallery!
Family Session Posing - Highlight Video
Hey Photographers! We filmed the the behind the scenes from this family session for my new family posing course - coming next week!!
Check out out the highlight video that I filmed for this family below. I love including video as well as photos for all of my family and newborn photoshoot clients! You can see all of the photos from this family session here: https://michellepoteet.com/blog-1/pose-ideas-for-family-photos
If you’re looking for posing inspiration for your own family sessions. If you want to learn how to create a FUN atmosphere and capture genuine, authentic moments and a variety of poses and candid moments, you’re going to LOVE this family and motherhood session posing course! You can get on the waitlist here: https://michellepoteet.com/posing-waitlist
This session was with a sweet family of five with twin 3 year olds and a 6 month old baby as well as mom and dad. We had so much fun playing and creating authentic and genuine family moments. Check out the sweet highlight video below.
Pose Ideas for Family Photos
Family and Motherhood Photographers! Are you wanting to learn more about how to pose families with toddlers and babies? Do you constantly find yourself looking for posing ideas for family photos? Do you struggle with session flow for your family sessions or do you draw a blank?
Do you want to create a fun environment and encourage authentic love and connection between parents and children? Do you want to learn how to take control of the situation when toddlers are involved and meltdowns are a given?
You’re going to LOVE my new family posing course - releasing next week!! As part of the course - I’ve filmed four different FULL family sessions behind the scenes. Including the session below of the Kase Family! (P.S. Stephanie Kase is an amazing resource for learning business and marketing! It was such an honor to photograph her sweet family)
Check out the photos from the session below to gain some inspiration for poses with toddlers and babies! BUT the most helpful thing is learning what to SAY to families (especially the kids) to achieve these poses. PLEASE don’t be one of those photographers that shows families a picture on your phone to try to get them to recreate it. It never works out as well as knowing how to create authentic emotions and sweet moments. (Plus it just makes you look unprofessional)
Join my posing course wait list here: https://michellepoteet.com/posing-waitlist
And check out the sweet highlight video that we created during this session as well here: https://youtu.be/vwXrQycXe7E?si=B8bKDq-I5FTwYKIw
