1. What to wear?

First, come up with a family activity. What do you do in your every day as a family? Do you like cooking together? Reading bedtime stories? Going for a stroll to a neighbourhood park? Boardgames? Playing a game of volleyball soccer?  In the winter months; making a snow man or going for hot chocolate.

We always suggest coming up with fun and lighthearted family activity so that you feel comfortable and natural doing it.  This is the best way for us to be able to capture those awesome candids.  Once you have the activity figured out you should wear complementing clothing to that activity and complementing colours.

2. Any suggestions on where to shoot?

Your home:  for that cozy, intimate, relaxed feel;  See sample galleries

On location: If your neighbour park isn’t making the cut; See Sample locations

In our Studio: Always a safe bet with our all white wall studios; See sample galleries

3. How do I  change my shoot date and/ or location?

No fees or penalties to change 24 hours before shoot date.

If you have already been in contact with your photographer you may confirm with them directly or you can email

info@mangostudios.com / 416-36647-23

Past 24 hours shoots are non-refundable/transferable

4.  It looks like it might rain for my outdoor shoot.  How do I  change our photo shoot date?

No fees or penalties to change 24 hours before shoot date.

If you have already been in contact with your photographer you may confirm with them directly or you can email

info@mangostudios.com / 416-36647-23

Past 24 hours shoots are non-refundable/transferable

5.  Who is my photographer?

We’re a small team of only the top photographers in Toronto. We pair you up with the right individual for your needs. Each photographer has their own personality, but the approach and style are consistent across the portfolio.

If you have worked with someone in the past and wish to do so again please email info@mangostudios.com or call 316-366-4723 to put in your request.

6.  How do I  add additional time?

You can add additional time any time with your photographer by confirming with them directly or emailing / calling

info@mangostudios.com / 416-3664723

The post Top 6 tips on How to make your Family Photo Shoot a Success appeared first on Toronto Wedding Photographers.

Planning and styling- Sincerely Yours Events, flowers
Decor and styling –Rachel A. Clingen Wedding & Event Design
Catering – Elle Cuisine
Cake – Fuitilicious Cakes
Picnic tables – Divine Furniture Rentals,
Place-settings – Splendid Settings and  Plate Occasions 
Stationery – Paper & Poste 
Balloons – Balloons By The Sweetest 
Pink and white cart – Plate Occasions
Cotton candy gift bags – Fancy Pufs

The post Sweet 16 Birthday Party Photography appeared first on Toronto Wedding Photographers.

1. Photo Equipment

There is no need for a fancy new camera to document your fam.  In fact, stick with what you know.  These days even a smartphone can take decent photos!  Whether it is a smartphone, a point, and shoot or a fancy DSLR if you practice and know how to use it and manipulate the settings then go for it!

A tripod and a camera that has a timer or a remote control though are pretty important if you plan to take your own family photos.  Smartphones also have these settings.

I set up our family shots with my DSLR on a tripod and then I used a 10-second timer to take the photos.  If I don’t have my DSLR with me I prop up my iPhone and set the timer.  The iPhone camera timer is found in the native camera app, located at the top of the screen.

2. Location and lighting

Find a location you want to shoot at that fits your style.  Keep in mind what you want to do with the images afterward.  Would you like to print them out, frame them, and put them on a wall?  If so,  keep that in mind when selecting a location.

Is there enough natural light?  If I ‘m not shooting outdoors I  prefer to set up right near a window during the day so there is a ton of natural light.  Declutter the space.  Now it’s time to move around some furniture, tidy up and keep the area clean and simple.   A simple white wall can also be super sleek and modern.

3.  Get Moving

Set the timer on your camera, prop it up on a stand, tripod, or whatever you can use and have your family sit/ stand within the frame.  Now get moving!  Put on some music and have a dance party, crack some jokes, and enjoy each other’s company!  Keep close together and just have fun.  Don’t worry about making each shot perfect.  The point of a family photo is to capture your personalities so remember the images don’t have to be photo perfect.  They should capture the essence of your family dynamic.  If you would like some more direction Here is our Family portrait posing guide CLICK HERE

4.  Editing tools

Once you’ve captured a series of images it’s time to start narrowing down your faves.  Once you’ve selected your favourite images there is a ton of super easy to use editing apps and tools.  I  like to use any of the following apps

• Lightroom presets
• VSCO for editing
• Pic Collage- to create collages

If you’d like some professional help documenting your family during COVID, we offer social distancing photoshoots.  You can check out the Link below

More Info to book a Family Photography session HERE

The post 4 Tips on How to Take Your Own Family Photos During Covid-19 appeared first on Toronto Wedding Photographers.