How to relax and enjoy your family photo session
Does the thought of having your family professionally photographed fill you with dread?
Here are my top tips for a relaxed family photo session that won't turn your hair grey!
A lot of people I talk to say that they’d love to get some great images of their families, but they’re worried about what it will be like. They say they don’t know how to pose, worry that the kids will misbehave and feel like the images they have in their head aren’t possible for their family.
Your family photo shoot should be a fun experience in itself. It’s not only an investment of your money but also of your time and let’s face it – who’s got either time or money they can afford to waste?
Whether you want the photographs for your own wall or as gifts for the rest of the family, whether your children are small, teens or even furry – the experience should be something remembered with fondness and smiles.
Tip 1 - Pick the right photographer for you
Photographers all have different styles so be sure to look for someone whose portfolio matches what you want from your images. If you love black and white candid images make sure you can see those in the photographer’s portfolio, if you want classic posed shots, don’t choose someone whose portfolio is all documentary style candids.
Tip 2 - Talk to me
I like to have a good chat with all my clients before their shoot so that I understand who they are and what they’re looking for and I can be sure that I can get them images they’ll love. I want to know all about your family, what you’re into, personalities and any concerns you have. I also want to know about what sorts of things you want from your session, what you want to use the images for - so that I can images that work. The more you can tell me, the better your session will be!
Tip 3 - Tell them it will be fun
Whether it’s a recalcitrant teen or an energetic toddler, tell them we’re going to have fun making some memories and some photos. Let them know that they won’t have to do anything they don’t want to do, and reassure them they can talk to me and to you if they’re worried.
Try and avoid promises of sweets or ice cream for good behaviour - it tends to backfire as it’s all they are focused on when we really want them focused on enjoying themselves!
Tip 4 - Focus on You
It’s a common mistake to focus on getting everyone else looking perfect and then finding you yourself look harassed in the photos. Focus on looking your best yourself, relax your face and hands and keep your head up and leave everyone else to me. People will do what they are going to do, it’s better to let them be themselves and get photos that truly reflect who they are right now - rather than forcing smiles or poses which look awkward
Tip 5 - Prepare!
Give yourself some time on the day of your session, don’t book anything in immediately before or after so you’re not rushing from one place or another. Know what everyone wants to wear and make sure it’s ready, and make sure everyone has had plenty to eat and drink. Try and have your session at a time of day when people are at their best, avoid the morning if your teenager isn’t a morning person!
I want to make sure you enjoy making photos with your family, creating memories and having fun. My sessions usually combine posed group shots, action shots and both posed and candid individual shots. I like to walk and shoot, stopping occasionally for set ups and capturing shots on the move as well. I do direct people, I will ask you to walk in a certain direction or look at each other. I will try to make you laugh and I may fall over (happens more often than I’d like).
I flex my approach depending on who I’m with. If your kid is loving the camera and wants to do cartwheels in their photos we will do it. If your teenager doesn’t want to look at the camera at all that’s fine too. Above all else your photos should be true reflections of who you are and your relationships with each other. Family life is beautiful – it’s rarely perfect though and I think that’s what makes it awesome!
See more example of the kinds of photographs you can expect from your family photo session over in the Outdoor Family Portraits Gallery
In 2019 I photographed Amber Evans (editor of Muddy Stillettos Surrey) and her family at Box Hill near Dorking. With two teenagers, husband and pooches in tow we headed out on their first ever professional family photo shoot and she’s been kind enough to write about it.You can read her article here