Planning your Houston family portraits can feel like a lot—outfits, timing, location, getting everyone on the same page. I get it! And while every photographer promises to make things less stressful (of course they do!), at Mollie Jane Photography, we actually do.

We’ve created an entire experience designed to guide you every step of the way—from the Mollie Jane Roadmap to our famous Client Experience Guide and even custom videos that walk you through how to view, download, and purchase your images. You’ll feel confident and taken care of, with all your questions answered (sometimes before you even ask them!).

This post is your quick-start guide to getting prepped and excited for your session. Fall is coming fast—let’s use this summer to get ahead! Here’s your Family Photo Prep Timeline to keep things smooth, stress-free, and even fun.

ONE MONTH BEFORE YOUR HOUSTON FAMILY PORTRAITS

This is the perfect time to get all the logistics squared away! Start by locking in the details:

— What day works best for your family?
— Where will your session take place?
— Is your family better suited for a morning or evening session?

Once you book, you’ll instantly receive the Mollie Jane Roadmap—your personalized guide that outlines exactly what to expect from start to finish. Wondering when your balance is due? When you’ll get your reminder email with directions? Or when your gallery will be delivered? It’s all in there—no guesswork needed.

You’ll also get the Mollie Jane Client Experience Guide in that same email. Yes, it’s packed with info, but don’t worry—it includes a clickable table of contents so you can jump right to what you need. Inside, you’ll find my curated location guide, outfit inspiration for the whole family, color tips by skin tone, and advice on flattering fits for different body types. It’s designed to make planning so much easier.

And the best part? With everything laid out clearly, you’ll have plenty of time to look it over and ask any questions that pop up. That’s the magic of booking early—you get time to plan, breathe, and actually enjoy the process.

TWO WEEKS BEFORE YOUR FAMILY PORTRAITS IN HOUSTON

Preparing Your Clothes for your Houston Family Portraits

Outfit prep is officially underway! This is the time to lay everything out and try it all on together—yes, shoes and accessories too. Whether you followed the “Shop Your Closet” tips in the Mollie Jane Client Experience Guide or used one of the curated shopping links, like from one of my favorite online boutiques, Baltic Born, now’s your chance to see how it all comes together.

Doing a full outfit check now gives you plenty of time to make changes if something doesn’t feel quite right. One of the biggest sources of stress on photo day is realizing an outfit doesn’t fit well, doesn’t match the vibe, or just doesn’t feel good. But a little prep now? It eliminates all of that.

We want everyone to feel comfortable and confident—and this step makes a world of difference.

Make all the appointments!

Appointments like haircuts, nails, and tanning should be scheduled well in advance. Trust me—this makes a big difference in how everyone feels the day of your session.

I always think of my own teenager—he doesn’t love his haircut right away and needs a couple of weeks before he feels like himself again. If anyone in your family feels the same, make sure their haircuts happen early enough that they’re feeling confident and comfortable in front of the camera.

And now… let’s talk about tanning. My golden rule for brides and moms? Skip it—or at the very least, don’t do it right before your session. Fresh tans (spray or otherwise) can photograph orange or uneven, especially next to others who didn’t tan. If you’re going to do it, give yourself enough time for it to settle and look natural. I know—hot take! But I promise, your natural glow is always the most flattering in photos.

Hype Up Your Kids for your Houston Family Portraits

Now’s a great time to start talking to your kids about the session. Get them excited! Let them know it’s going to be fun, and that you’ll be spending time together as a family (and yes, a camera will be there too!).

This is also the perfect moment to introduce any post-session rewards. Whether it’s a trip for ice cream, a small toy, or extra screen time, having something to look forward to after the session can work wonders. Just a little tip: hold off on giving the treat beforehand—it’s way more effective when it’s the celebration at the end!

A little hype and positive reinforcement go a long way in setting the tone for a happy, cooperative experience.

A FEW DAYS BEFORE YOUR FAMILY PORTRAITS IN HOUSTON

By now, you’ll have received your final info email from me with everything you need for session day—the address or location directions, along with a handful of helpful reminders to make things run smoothly.

It’s all about keeping things stress-free so you can show up feeling calm, prepared, and ready to enjoy your session!

Gathering and Organizing

A few days before your session, start laying out your outfits and make sure everything that needs to be ironed or steamed is ready to go. Set out a dedicated bag or bin to gather all the things you’ll need so nothing gets left behind.

Trust me—this step is worth it. I’ve had a family arrive to a session an hour from home only to realize they forgot their daughter’s dress… and had to run to Target last minute. (And yes, it was a studio session with only an hour of rental time—cue the panic!) Another time, a sweet mama showed up without her shoes and had to go barefoot.

These things happen! But they’re so easy to avoid with just a little prep. Go ahead and gather everything: outfits, shoes, socks, belts, jewelry, hair accessories. Toss in an extra shirt for dad if it’s going to be hot, or a backup outfit for littles—just in case.

Think of it like packing for a vacation: the earlier you start, the more relaxed you’ll feel when the day arrives. A little preparation now means less scrambling—and a lot more joy—later.

Scheduling Your Day

As your Houston family portraits gets closer, take a few minutes to map out your day so it feels calm and unhurried. Try to keep your schedule clear of any stressful appointments, and build in buffer time around naps, meals, and when you’ll need to leave the house.

There’s nothing worse than running late—rushing leads to stress, which can lead to short tempers and flustered feelings (and nobody wants that before photos!).

A smart tip? Google the directions to your session location around the same time of day your session is scheduled. That way, you can get a realistic idea of traffic and plan accordingly. Give yourself more time than you think you’ll need—you’ll thank yourself later.

A little intentional planning goes a long way. Preparation is truly the key to a relaxed and happy session!

THE DAY OF YOUR SESSION

Even with all the preparation in the world, things won’t go perfectly—and that’s okay. You’ve done the work, you’re ready, and now your only job is to show up and be present.

The real magic happens in the in-between moments: the joy, the giggles, the chaos, the connection. That’s what we’re here to capture.

So grab your prep bag, your outfits, and your people—I’ll meet you at your session, ready to create something beautiful together.

Let’s get your session on the calendar!

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