Preparation: When choosing a location for your photography session, do some research of your own. Google is great for this. Do an image search, Google the neighborhood and the specific location and see if any red flags pop up.
Ask Questions: This goes for before and during your session. If you see a shot that you love on your photographer's website, ask them where and how they got the shot. Not everything is as it seems. Many "dangerous" looking shots are actually done in a very safe way or often composited together.
Inspect the Area: As a company, we try to inspect areas before we shoot in them. However, as a parent, I will tell you not to leave this up to a photographer to keep your child safe. It is as simple as scanning your surroundings. Shooting outside offers an amazing backdrop to any photo session. However it does come with some mild risks. Broken glass, sharp objects and trash are just a few things to scan for before you set your precious little one down on any surface.
Stay Close to Your Child: For children reaching new milestones like sitting, crawling, standing or walking, or for certain locations and structures, safety can be a concern. Our number one rule is that mom and dad stay just outside of the frame but close enough to catch the child if they stumble or fall. A photographer will likely not be able to move fast enough to catch a falling child so spotting your child during these shots will ensure their safety and a great shot!
Follow Directions: Following directions will not only make your photos turn out better, it also could be safer. Certain poses are perfectly safe as long as they are done correctly. Photographers are telling you where to sit and stand for a variety of reasons, one of which could be where it is safest for you to be.
Say No: If ever your gut feeling tells you that you are unbearably uncomfortable with a shot, speak up. Tell the photographer that what they are suggesting does not make you feel safe. There is nothing wrong with that. Everyone has a different threshold. Every parent has to decide for themselves what they are comfortable letting their child/family do.
Lastly, relax and have fun during your session! These tips aren't meant to put you on edge. Instead they are meant to give you peace of mind so that you can truly enjoy your session and have great images of a small moment in time for your family!
Tiana is the Studio Director of TK Photography, a Contemporary Photography Company, based in Chicago, IL. Their work can be seen on the cover of all Chicago Parent Publications and with amazing families throughout Chicago. Visit their WEBSITE and become a fan on FACEBOOK and INSTAGRAM.
