Booking a family portrait session is one of the best investments you can make — beautifully captured images become treasured family heirlooms that last generations. To help you get the most from your session with Pixel Place Photography, here is our complete preparation guide.
Choose Your Outfits Early
Start planning your family's outfits at least one week before the session. The key is coordination without being too matchy-matchy. Choose a cohesive colour palette of two to three complementary tones — soft neutrals, earthy tones, or muted pastels tend to photograph beautifully in Alberta's natural light. Avoid busy patterns, large logos, or neon colours that can distract from faces and emotion.
Plan Around the Best Light
Alberta's natural light is most flattering during golden hour — approximately one hour after sunrise and one hour before sunset. At Pixel Place Photography, we schedule outdoor sessions around these times to make the most of the soft, warm, directional light that makes portraits glow. For indoor or studio sessions, we control the lighting to ensure consistent, beautiful results year-round.
Keep Children Well-Rested and Fed
If you have young children, schedule the session when they are typically at their happiest — usually mid-morning after a good night's sleep. Make sure they have had a meal beforehand, and consider bringing a small snack as a reward after the session. A relaxed, comfortable child makes for genuinely joyful photographs.
Arrive a Few Minutes Early
Give your family time to settle in, explore the location, and shake off any nerves before we begin. Children especially benefit from a few minutes to run around and get comfortable in a new environment. This natural settling-in time often produces the most genuine and spontaneous moments.
Trust the Process
The most beautiful family portraits come from genuine moments — laughter, connection, and real emotion rather than stiff poses. At Pixel Place Photography, we guide you through the session naturally, prompting interaction and movement rather than forcing poses. Relax, be yourselves, and let us capture the authentic story of your family.
Ready to create lasting memories? Book your family portrait session with Pixel Place Photography in Camrose, Alberta. We serve families across Camrose, Edmonton, Calgary, and all of Alberta.