February 24 – 1:00pm 

Creating Connection in Family Photos 

~with Chloe Ramirez

Introductions: 

• Chloe: lifestyle family, couples, and weddings; emotive lifestyle photographer

• Elena: lifestyle family and newborn; connection/humans are what it’s about!

Topic: What do you do to prepare for a family session before meeting the family? 

• Chloe: before she had a process, she had trouble connecting on that deeper level

  • What could she implement that was easy?

  • Solution: detailed questionnaire that is completely geared toward love and connection; putting them in a nostalgic mood

    • When did you first say I love you? 

    • What do you want to freeze in time about each of your kids right now?

    • *Opens her eyes to the ways this family naturally connects

• Elena: Also uses Honeybook for questionnaire

  • Tell me what you want me to know about each family member

Everyone wants to know about dads! 

• Elena: uses dads to support mom and love the family; make it easy for them!; “I come in peace”

• Chloe: it’s easier to get dads out of their heads – give them an expectation and they will rise to meet it. 

Topic: Do you have a routine or workflow that you use in your session? 

Chole: 

• Family + kids – get that shot FIRST

• Mom with kids

• Dad with kids

• Always ends with couple together

• Never shoots just kids together

• Leaves space on questionnaire for specific requests

Elena: Having a workflow helps new artist prevent feelings of chaos

• Full family

• Each kid alone quickly

• Mom with kids

• Dad with kids

• Let kids play while photographing mom and dad together

• Mom by herself

• All kids together

• **Makes sure to note that no poses or arrangements are guaranteed

Both: Setting client expectations with clear communication is a must

Topic: Top TWO tips for how you get clients to relax quickly? 

Chloe: 1) constantly talking to build trust 2) tell them to never be still! Encouraging movement creates a cinematic feel

Elena: 1) get on kid’s level immediately; connect with each one using their name 2) adjusts her energy to mirror the vibe of the family

Elena: If you want to see what a photographer is afraid of losing, see what they take photos of! I don’t want my mothers to live a life undocumented!

Chloe: Yes – and you can use that to attract your ideal clients, too. 

Elena: You’re such a romantic – it’s no wonder you love to focus on couples and capture their love and connection!

*Open for audience questions*

Question 1: When you send out a questionnaire, what do you do if your client doesn’t respond well to it? 

Chloe: Sends her after booking is paid; tells them it’s a part of her artistic process; sets the expectation that they aren’t bothering her

Elena: communicates that she needs details to “make the session the best it can be”

Question 2: I’m new to photography and such an empath – how you turn a bad day around with a client and not feel overwhelmed by it? 

Chloe: See yourself as her – tell her what you would need to hear; let her know you understand!

Elena: yes! Let them know you understand; having a routine and staying in control of the shoot also helps them relax within your framework

Question 3: I don’t send a framework because I don’t know what to ask! Can you get samples? 

Chloe: Mine are so targeted – they all focus on putting the couple in a nostalgic mood

• What questions are going to help you as an artist? 

• Ask specific personality traits of each family member

• (will also ask music preferences – clues into their personal style

• *remember – don’t put an item in there if it doesn’t inspire you!

Elena: There is no one way to do this and your biggest super power is you! Trust your gut!

Question 4: Words don’t come easily to me – I feel like I take too long to speak

Chloe: public speaking hack – write down 3 talking points to bring up when conversation isn’t flowing

Elena: that might just mean that you attract people who are comfortable with a more reserved style. Who you are comes across in your art – practice and you will be more comfortable with experience

Room concluded – message Elena and Chloe with requests for future room topics 

Learn more about Chloe on Instagram or her Website!

Want to learn more about emotive, connected, family photography? Thought so! Take my FREE webinar, Family Photography 101 now!