Why I Ask Every Family to Fill Out a Questionnaire Before Their Session
One of the things that makes my family sessions different starts long before I ever pick up my camera.
Before every mini session, I send a questionnaire. For my full sessions, I also arrange a consultation call. It's not just paperwork—it's one of the most important parts of the entire experience.
I never want to arrive at a session photographing strangers. I want to know who you are, what makes your family unique, and what matters most to you right now.
Recently, I photographed a family who perfectly demonstrated why this process is so valuable.
In their questionnaire, they described themselves as an incredibly close family who love spending time together reading stories and playing games. They told me they lean towards a more alternative style, love Disney, tattoos, and dinosaurs, and that life had been a little difficult since welcoming their youngest daughter, Ella. They hadn't been able to have the newborn session they'd hoped for, so these photographs felt especially important.
They also introduced me to their children before we'd even met.
Toby, I learned, was a dinosaur-loving, book-reading whirlwind. He could be shy at first but once he felt comfortable, he was chatty, funny, energetic, and incredibly affectionate. His little sister Ella couldn't have been more different—calm, smiley, cuddly, and very motivated by food, especially bananas!
By the time I arrived at their session, I already had a plan.
Rather than expecting Toby to instantly smile at a stranger with a camera, I got down to his level and started talking with him. We began with some family photographs while he settled in and got used to me. Instead of asking him to pose, we played games.
We searched for fairies.
We hunted for the Gruffalo.
We chatted about dinosaurs.
Within minutes, we were best friends.
Because I already understood his personality, I knew exactly how to approach the session in a way that felt natural and fun for him.
The questionnaire also helped me choose the perfect location. Rather than working in a wide open field, I selected an area surrounded by trees and woodland. The darker, more enclosed setting complemented the slightly moodier, alternative vibe Mum had described and helped create images that felt authentically "them."
As the session unfolded, everything they had told me came to life in front of my camera.
Toby's huge personality shone through in every game, every conversation, and every silly face. Ella gave us the sweetest smiles and showed off her calm, happy, cuddly nature. The connection between all four of them was impossible to miss.
Those are the moments I'm always looking for—not perfect poses, but genuine personalities and real relationships.
The best part?
Before they had even seen a single photograph, they sent me this message:
"We just wanted to say the BIGGEST thank you for yesterday evening. You made us feel so comfortable and were amazing with Toby. We cannot wait to see the photos. The shoot means so much to us."
For me, this is exactly why I spend time getting to know every family before their session. The questionnaire isn't about collecting information. It's about understanding your children, your relationships, your personalities, and your story. Because when I know those things, I can create photographs that feel like you—not just photographs of you.
And that's where the magic happens.
