What To Expect For Family Films
Family Films
Family videography is a relatively new concept that offers so much more than photos alone. Photos are still important and I include them in every film session, but video captures so much more. It can be hard to know how to prepare for family films, so this post is all about what you can expect when you book a family film of your own.
Location
One of the first things we’ll decide on is the location. Most families feel most comfortable at home. While photos are your chance to look your best and have the kids smile, a family film is meant to show your family as they really are, right now, without the pressure of smiling for a photo.
Some families spend a lot of time at the beach. If that’s you, we’ll head to the beach together. If you prefer hiking as a family, we’ll do that. Having fun as a family can happen anywhere. I go where you go
Activities For Family Films
This is where things get really fun. Every family has a lot of little things they like to do with each other. Meals are a big one and including your kids in preparing a meal is a great place to start. Making breakfast or lunch together is a great bonding experience and younger kids always have a lot of fun with it.
Another common activity is planting, tending to or harvesting from the garden. A lot of families have at least a small home garden and heading out with the kids to check on things is such a fun activity.
Outdoor activities are always fun for little ones. We can go play in a creek, go for a hike, build a sand castle, jump on the trampoline, climb a tree, pick some flowers or just lay in the grass looking up at the sky.
Indoor activities can include cuddling in bed, reading books, playing with a train set or another favorite toy, doing a craft together or baking cookies.
Whatever you love to do together is what you should do. It can be something you do every day or something the kids have been asking you to do for a long time. It can be a mundane task or a rare adventure. There’s no right or wrong when it comes to what you do as a family for your film.
Family Members
Families come in all shapes and sizes. Sometimes, it’s just Mom or just Dad. Sometimes there’s one kid and other times there might be eight. Whatever your family looks like is what’s perfect for your family film.
Dad can sometimes be a little shy about being on camera. Most of the time, he warms up quickly and we all have a blast. If your hubby is really against it, we can easily have him sit out for the filming. There’s plenty of love to go around.
Time Requirements
For family films, I like to spend a minimum of three hours with your family. Sometimes, that falls during nap time and that’s okay. Getting ready for a nap can be a wonderful activity for your family film.
Spending three hours with you allows the kids to warm up to me and get used to my presence. Once they stop being nervous, I can really get the footage I need to create an amazing video for you.
What About Direction or Prompts?
I won’t give you any. If I tell you how to behave or what to do, your video won’t be of the real you. Your family film should be authentically you and that’s what it will be, without direction from me. Rarely, I may ask you to do something again or to wait just a moment so I can get into position. But for the most part, I just want you to naturally interact with each other. No strings attached.
How I Deal With Tantrums
With kids, you never know what might happen and that’s part of the beauty of life. Temper tantrums happen. Break downs occur. Naps need to be taken and hungry bellies need to be filled. We roll with the punches and don’t miss a beat. Your video will end up beautiful and the moments of calm will happen. I’ll be there to catch it all.
Basically, don’t worry at all about how your kids behave. I have children of my own and I know they have a mind of their own. It’s normal and it’s okay!
What To Wear For Your Family Film
I like to tell families to casually dress up. I know that’s a little vague, but I want you to be comfortable. Long, flowy dresses for Mom always look amazing and a solid color shirt for Dad is best. Avoid stripes, especially small ones. Small stripes can cause strange things to happen in the camera and the shirt may look a bit odd in your video.
Avoid graphic T-shirts for your family film. They can date your film and images and solid colors simply look a bit nicer. You could even put a nice sweater over the shirt if that works better for you.
You aren’t limited to one single outfit. If you want to put on overalls to go into the garden, that works! Pajamas for cuddling in bed are always fun. Feel free to accessorize and change outfits a time or two during our time together.