As a photographer I may be telling you wrong advice here but I am going to give you FOUR reasons NOT to get professional photos done, really. 

Why? Well I am going to give you all the reasons in the book why you are putting of family photos and why those are just excuses. You read that right, excuses. Stop blaming on how you look, how your kids will behave or what to wear. 

• You don't think your children will behave, or your spouse

Are you just not booking because you don't think your spouse will corporate or even the children? That is a real concern for a lot of parents, you are afraid of investing money into family portraits, outfits and more for a BIG what if? Kind of scary and intimidating. 

That is part of my charm I suppose, I don't what your children (or spouse) to not have a good session or you for that matter. The goal is a great session for everyone and while it will be stressful it overall will be a great experience. 

I want to release all your reservations: what if the kids don't smile or do their "weird" smile, what if the husband looks unhappy the entire time, will we get beautiful family photos like everyone else? Lose it. I am going to shock you here but we cannot control everything and that's why I have a toolbox full of resources on what to do. I have photographed maybe hundreds of families I know how to navigate the session to help children feel at ease with a "stranger" and everyone else relaxed and comfortable. Go here to read my blog about prepping children for a session! 

• You're self-conscious 

I have heard it all before, you want to lose 10 more pounds or just don't feel comfortable in front of the camera. Ring a bell? DING DING DING This is a common "problem" for quite a few people so you are not alone. It's actually rare that I get someone 100% confident in front of the camera especially right at first. It is awkward to have a "stranger" stand there and point a camera at your face and then what? 

Well that's why you hire a professional. You may never become 100% percent fully comfortable and confident right from the start of a session and that's at your first session of 20th with me. I get it and that's why I am have pretty much perfected making you feel comfortable, loosening up and actually enjoying your session. As a professional, my job is help you feel confident so your session is enjoyable both during and after. 

You may be thinking, "Yeah right, I'm so awkward." Guess what? I will tell you what to do with your hands, and yes I get that asked a lot. I will help pose you and tell you how to move and actually show you - don't stress. 

• You don't know what to wear 

You are not alone here. I get the same question a lot, "What should I wear?" This depends on the season, type of session and location, really all those and more. Chances you are over thinking it, trust me. This can be one of the biggest hurdles when booking a session because you don't want to invest money into photograph without wearing your best. 

But your best doesn't have to mean new. Yes, you read that right. When you book a session with me I work one-on-one with your on outfits, if you want that is. What does that mean? Well, number I offer a client closet and it's full of mainly dresses and some other items for women. They are free to "rent" when you book a session. Now just because I have a client closet that doesn't mean you have to utilize it and I won't be offended. 

When prepping for your session and you are stuck on what to wear or if your outfits will match or look "right," I am going to help. I encourage you to lay out your outfits, all together and see how they look, and I always suggest for mom to dress herself first and then style everyone else. I have put together some great client education on "What to wear" for your family photos whether it is spring, winter or fall. I have also put together blogs on how to prep for your session as well. 

• You don't want to keep any memories

This is right to the point - you just don't want to have any memories. If this is true, then yes - do not book a professional photography session. As a photographer I am in the job of memories. I am helping you create a time capsule full of the most important people in your life through photographs. So if you have zero interest in preserving memories for generations to come well then I can't believe you are still reading this. 

Chances are this isn't you, and you are actually total opposite and want to capture every single memory and moment. 

You may be reading this and wondering you are going to be able to capture even more memories in addition to annual family portraits that you want a mommy and me, minis of just the children and more. 

That's one of my favorite parts - the memories. When my son was in the NICU, my mother-in-law bought me my first DSLR camera. With the camera I was able to start Bellanet Photography - but also - capture every moment of my son's very survival, the beauty of life and the trauma of life. Fast forward nine years, I can't believe that now he is following me with a camera capturing his very own memories. 

Photographs are so special.