How to Prepare for a Family Photoshoot in Toronto

To prepare for a family photoshoot in Toronto, start by choosing a photographer from full galleries and a clear process, then plan outfits, timing and expectations with everyone involved, kids included. A relaxed family gives the best photos, so keep the plan simple and leave room for the day to change.

How do you choose a family photographer in Toronto?

Start with the work, not the price. A family session is about people, so you are looking for a style you would be happy to see on your wall in a few years. Use this scorecard when you compare:

1. Style fit. Open full galleries, not only highlights. Do the colours, light and mood feel like your family?
2. Clarity of process. Can they explain, in plain words, how the session runs from the first message to the finished photos?
3. Communication. Do they answer your questions directly, and do you feel at ease talking to them?
4. What is included. Session length, number of finished images, editing and delivery should be clear before you book.
5. A plan for weather and moods. Ask what happens if it rains or if a child is not in the mood.
6. How images may be used. Printing, sharing and posting should be spelled out.

We suggest choosing a photographer by style fit in the portfolio and by how clearly they explain the process. <!-- F092 --> Whoever you choose, look for galleries with real moments rather than only posed line-ups.

To see how we describe our own sessions, read about family and kids photography. Our own family and kids photography is natural, built around connection, emotions and moments to keep. <!-- F031 -->

What questions should you ask before booking?

Questions help you compare like with like, and a good photographer will be glad to answer them. Ask:

• What is included in the session, and what is extra?
• How does a session usually run, and how long does it take?
• How do you work with children who are tired, shy or full of energy?
• What happens if the weather changes, or a child is unwell on the day?
• Can grandparents or other relatives join?
• How are the images delivered, and how may we use them?

Write the answers down. If two photographers describe things very differently, ask follow-up questions until you understand exactly what you would receive. For what changes the price of a session, read our guide to family photo session prices.

What should the family wear?

Plan outfits as a group. The goal is a family that looks like it belongs in the same photo, without anyone looking identical.

• Pick a colour family. Choose two or three colours that work together, for example cream, sage and navy. Let each person wear a different shade.
• Avoid clashing prints. One patterned piece in the group is plenty. Large logos and slogans tend to distract.
• Put comfort first. If a child pulls at a collar all session, it will show. Choose fabrics people can move in.
• Bring a spare layer. Toronto weather can turn, and a cardigan or a scarf can also change the look of a frame.
• Think about shoes. Comfortable shoes matter more than perfect ones, especially for outdoor locations.

The same logic applies to branding shoots, and our branding guide has outfit colour and fabric tips that carry over to a family.

Where and when should you shoot in Toronto?

Choose a setting that suits your family, then keep a backup. A park gives space for children to run, the waterfront gives wide sky and wind, and your own home is private and familiar. Visit or look up the place beforehand, and check whether it has rules for photography.

Think about the season too. In autumn the light is warm and the colours do part of the work. In winter, daylight is short, so plan for the middle of the day, dress in layers and keep an indoor option in case it is too cold. In summer, early morning or the hour before sunset is usually the softest. Whatever the date, ask your photographer how the season affects the plan.

Five frames worth asking for:

1. The whole group together.
2. Generations: grandparents with grandchildren, or parents with their own parents.
3. Each child with a parent.
4. A laughing, moving frame, such as a walk or a game.
5. A detail shot, such as hands, shoes or a favourite toy.

How do you prepare children and adults for the session?

We suggest talking through comfort, timing and outfits with your photographer beforehand. <!-- F087 --> Beyond that, a few ideas help the day go smoothly.

For children

• Tell them about the session a day or two ahead, in simple words. Say that you will be doing things together and that someone will take photos.
• Show them a photo of your family from before, so they know what to expect.
• Let them choose between two outfits you have already approved.
• Schedule around nap and snack times. A rested, fed child is easier to photograph.
• Bring a favourite small thing, such as a toy or a blanket, in case they need comfort.
• If a child melts down, pause, offer a snack, then return to a game rather than to a pose.
• With teenagers, give them a say in the outfits and the location. With pets, tell your photographer in advance and ask a relative to help.

For adults

• Agree who stands where, and who helps with children, before the day.
• Remember that grandparents may need a place to sit or a shorter walk.
• Try not to say "smile" every minute. Silly games and walking together often give the best expressions.

What to tell your photographer

• The names of the people coming, in general terms, and how they relate to each other.
• Anything that would make the session easier for someone in your family, so you can ask how the session can adapt.
• The moments you want to keep, such as a hug, a generation photo or a favourite game.

Checklist: family session preparation

The week before

• Outfits chosen for everyone, in one colour family
• Location agreed, with a backup for rain or cold
• Everyone who will attend confirmed
• Questions for your photographer answered
• Children told about the session

The day before

• Outfits ready, ironed and tried on
• Snacks and water packed
• A spare layer for each person
• A favourite small thing for any child who needs one
• Directions and parking checked

On the day

• A calm start, with no rush to get out the door
• Everyone fed and comfortable
• Phones put away, so people are present
• Flexibility: if a child needs a break, take it

If your family is growing, our maternity photography page and the guide to maternity photoshoot cost may also help.

Send us your list of questions and tell us who is coming, the whole crew. Message us on Instagram @be_an.art or use the contact page. You can learn more about our family and kids photography and find more guides in our photo sessions section.

Frequently asked questions