How to Create Your Own Prompts & Games for Family Photography

A lot of times I get people asking me how I create so many fun prompts and games for my family photography sessions. Well, it’s a mix of things! And I want to share it with you so that you can start coming up with your own!

First, keep lists on your phone

I’m sure this seems obvious but it’s super helpful to keep a list of prompts on your phone. I have lists for different aged families, different groupings, etc. Any time I come up with a new prompt idea, I will add it to my list. Sometimes I will even curate a list for a specific family session, just to look over before we start so it’s all fresh in my mind.

Brainstorm backwards

Think about what position you’d like the family to end up in, and then create a game or a prompt that will get them into that position. The reason for this is that you want authentic interactions and movement. What game can you play that ends with a big family hug? What about a family hug with the kids facing you? How about a walking photo, what can they do that would be fun while walking together? Asking yourself these questions will get the wheels turning and hopefully give you lots of new ideas!

For example, if I wanted to get a shot of two little kids facing their parents and kind of blurred out, with the parents in focus looking at the kids, I wouldn’t just put them in that position and then say, “now look at each other.” That photo is going to end up kind of lifeless. Instead, I would call the kids over and excitedly whisper that we’re going to play a game. I’d have them stand on either side of me and tell the parents to snuggle close and hold their arms out because they’re about to get a surprise! Then I’d tell the kids to go run and hug/get their parents! I’d make sure to keep my focus on the parents and that image is going to have so much more life and personality to it.

Create prompts from past family photography sessions

One of the best ways to come up with prompts is to look back at past sessions and see what that family did! Sometimes they do things on their own that I look at and think… “hmmm, that was cool and I bet I can recreate that with another family.” So if you notice anything you’d like to try again, write it down! What could you say to get that to happen again?

Pay attention during your family sessions

A lot of my prompts are thought of on the fly, just paying attention to things that families are doing during the session. They always seem to drop their guard when my camera is down and do things that are natural to them. If I notice it but can’t get my camera ready fast enough, I’ll ask them to repeat it and maybe add to it a little to make it better.

Get inspiration for prompts from other people’s photos

Sometimes I will see a photo while scrolling instagram and my brain immediately starts thinking of what the photographer might have said to get that shot. Can I think of a way to make this happen for my own sessions? I’d photograph it differently, of course. But this will help inspire ideas and it really works! Because while you can sit there and try to imagine different photos you may want to take and what games you can come up with to get them there, it’s much easier when you can actually see a photo of that “pose” and then do some backwards brainstorming.

Watch shows, movies, and commercials with families in them

This sounds silly but it does work to spark ideas sometimes! Even a short commercial of a mom and a child can give you some great pose ideas that you can then brainstorm a prompt to recreate. So when you’re relaxing on the couch watching TV, have your phone handy and get ready to write down some ideas!

Observe families in real life

Go to a park, crowded river, anywhere that families frequent and just people watch. Don’t be creepy, obviously, but pay attention to how they interact and see if you get any new ideas. Even attending a family BBQ can be helpful. How are parents cuddling their kids or keeping them entertained when they are bored? Observe a toddler running to their parent after finding a flower, or a little boy climbing all over dad. See what family photography prompts you can create based off what you see.

Reflect on your own personal experiences

Think about personal family interactions or childhood memories that brought joy, laughter, or even tender moments. Using personal history can create prompts that resonate deeply and evoke genuine emotions. You could even look through family photos from your childhood or when your own kids were little and see if you can find any ideas hidden in there.

Or let me do the hard work for you…

Creating your own family photography prompts can be super fun, full of creativity and growth. But if you’re looking for a ready-made collection of prompts, or if you’re curious to see how these prompts play out in real sessions, then my new course might just be what you need. The Playful Prompt Playbook not only provides a ton of tested prompts but also shows you, through behind the scenes videos and audio guidance, how to bring these prompts to life. Perfect for anyone who wants to save time, gain confidence quickly, and see immediate improvements in their family sessions! Get it here and use the code ITSMINE for $25 off through Sept 7, 2024.