Family photo season is upon us – here are some ideas to make sure your smiles are real!
1. Choose a Relaxed and Natural Location Selecting the right environment is key to setting a fun tone. Go for a park or even your own backyard to help everyone feel at ease. A familiar place will help everyone loosen up, resulting in more natural and joyful portraits.
2. Coordinate Outfits Without Matching Exactly
Instead of matching outfits for everyone, go for complementary colors or a theme. For example, you could choose pastel tones, earthy colors, or something based on the season. I recommend laying everyone’s clothes out on a bed to see how they all look together!
3. Playful Poses and Interaction
In addition to the traditional standing poses, try interacting with each other! Hug, laugh, jump, or have a fun game like piggyback rides or running toward the camera. The more you engage with each other, the more dynamic the photos will be.
4. Bring Snacks
Bring a non-messy snack like goldfish or pretzels in case kids need a break to refuel! Keeping energy up can make a big difference, especially for younger children.
5. Keep Smiling
Some of the best photos come from candid moments. Don’t worry too much about everyone being perfectly posed. The laughter, goofy faces, or little spontaneous moments often capture the essence of your family better than a posed shot.
I am always chasing after the real, natural, in-between moments that unfold during the progression of a session. Just keep smiling!
Bonus:
Plan something fun (like getting ice cream) for when the photo session is over! This gives everyone something to look forward to and a reward for when the photos are finished.
