01 — Know your timeframes

There a few timing considerations for our Premium photos at Q Station, Manly.

Firstly, as sessions take place in the afternoons, make sure you leave enough time between daycare/school pick ups and your session time. Do the kids have after school activities or dance concert rehearsals to attend? Can you leave work a little early? Will a late session mean the kids are over-tired and cranky by the time you get home? A happy, relaxed family that times their photos well will produce the best smiles!

Secondly, allow at least 45 mins to an hour for this experience. While the actual photo session only takes 10 minutes, the beach isn’t accessible by car. You’ll either need to catch the free shuttle bus or walk 10 minutes downhill - both of which take extra time. Nothing worse than feeling stressed about timings!

Thirdly, we deliver the photos within 5 business days. So, if you’re planning to print and send them overseas, book one of the earliest sessions as they may not make it there before Christmas if you wait too long!

Allow at least an hour for this experience, so you can enjoy it without feeling rushed. You could also book dinner at the Boilerhouse afterwards, or make a big weekend of it and book accommodation at the Q Station. All premium sessions include discounts off food and accommodation at Q Station.

02 — Pre-plan what you’ll ALL wear

We’ve seen families dress from beautifully styled Vogue worthy outfits to matching Grinch pjs! ! Here are a few tips to consider with your outfits:

• Work out what you want from your premium pics. If you want photos that are classic and timeless, make sure you dress classic and timeless!

• Ensure outfits are weather appropriate. Summer is always unpredictable in Sydney and Q Station is no different. We’ve had scorching hot sessions where families have all jumped in the water afterwards, and others blowing a cold gale! Pack a few layers and hair ties, just in case.

• A colour scheme can be a helpful guide when deciding what to wear. Pops of red always look great, plus natural/earthy colours compliment the stunning scenery. A classic combo is denim/white - a go-to favourite for many families.

• If you want the session to feel extra festive, you’re welcome to bring extra props such as reindeer ears, santa hats etc.

03 — Pack appropriately

Our premium Christmas photo sessions almost always run to a 10 minute schedule, however timing can get thrown out due to unexpected hurdles such as weather, moods, traffic, shuttle buses…..life! We suggest packing the following to ensure the best experience possible:

• Water and snacks to avoid hangry people. There’s a cafe down there, but it’s not always open.

• Sunnies for ALL members of the family, not just the adults! Kids can get quite upset when it’s too glarey and we want to avoid squinting

• Hair elastics to tie hair back if the wind picks up (which it can often do out of the blue on the coast)

• Sun protection including suncream and hats

• Emergency outfit changes - kids have a knack for getting wet, spilling stuff down their front and rolling in the sand right before photos!

04 — Enjoy the experience!

With kids of our own, we know how much time and effort it takes to get the whole family dressed and to one location on time, especially during the chaos of the silly season. That’s why it’s important to take a moment or two to firstly prepare as much as possible (see tips above) and secondly, try to enjoy the experience!

You’re capturing a small snapshot in time in an outdoor, unpredictable outdoor environment, so our biggest tip is just to go with the flow. It won’t be a perfectly styled shoot, as there are too many variables with kids and the weather. If you have relax and have fun, it will show in your photos. Regardless of everything else going on in your life, take a moment to soak up the beautiful surroundings of Sydney Harbour National Park and capture some great memories with your family.