How to Have the Best Family Photo Session EVER!
Capturing authentic moments between families is my main goal during family photos. And the key to making those moments happen in your family photos is simple: just be yourself! But what does that even mean and how do you do that? Read on to find out the answer ❤️
Let go of perfection
As a parent, it’s easy to get caught up in trying to make everything perfect during a family photo session. You might feel like you need to make sure everyone is looking at the camera, smiling perfectly, and behaving perfectly. But here’s the thing: that’s not what makes a great family photo. In fact, it’s often the unscripted moments—the moments when your family is just being themselves—that make for the most beautiful and memorable photos. And trust me, I don’t care if your kids get a little wild, misbehave a bit, or say potty words. I have my own kids and I know that kids are not perfectly behaved, and I don’t want them to be. I want them to show off their personalities! If you’re hiring me, it is for these unscripted moments, not for the smiling at the camera photos.
Be in the moment with your family
I encourage you to let go of any expectations or worries you may have about how your family session will go and how your images will turn out. That part is my job and I’m happy to take that burden off of your shoulders. Instead, focus on being in the moment with your family. Play with your kids, cuddle them, laugh with them, and let them be themselves. Don’t worry about getting your clothes dirty (even if you’ve borrowed them from my client closet! I don’t care, they can be washed!) or your hair out of place. Just have fun! Some of my favorite photos are when kids are playing in the dirt and hair is blowing in the wind. If the moment is real, it will be beautiful.
Let the kids be kids
During your session, I’ll be there to capture the special moments that make your family unique. And if your kids are feeling a little wild or silly, that’s okay! I encourage you to embrace those moments and let them happen. After all, those are the moments that you’ll look back on years from now and smile about. Think about it. When are your kids their happiest? When they get to do silly/naughty things. So let them! This is a no-discipline zone because scolding and threats don’t produce happy kids. This means PLEASE do not threaten them with things like, “If you don’t xyz, you’re losing iPad privileges.” Because if they DON’T do that thing, then you have to follow through and then they are sad and crying and this is the opposite of what we want. Unless there’s a safety issue, let it go and be in the moment with your family. When your child is being a little naughty, they will most likely laugh harder, and that’s exactly what we want to capture. Those full-on belly laughs.
Do your best to let things go
I know that it can be hard to let go of control and just enjoy the moment, but trust me: it’s worth it. When you’re relaxed and having fun, your family photos will reflect that joy and authenticity. And you may need to be reminded to let things go, I totally understand that. During my own family photos, I find that I have to really check myself! It’s just natural to want to tell your kids to calm down, to behave, to listen to instructions. But it’s all good! If your kids don’t like something that I suggest, we will just try something else or go with what they are naturally doing.
Here is a great example for you. You are sitting on a blanket with your child and I direct your child to tell you a secret (in hopes that I can get a photo of you both cuddling together). They don’t want to do that, but instead, they start laughing and throwing themselves backward onto your legs. What do you think is going to produce the best image here? The answer is not to scold your child and demand that they come and tell you a secret. Because what they are doing is hilarious and adorable and totally a “them” thing to do! So I will capture that! And if we can get them to tell you a secret after, then cool. And if not, that’s fine too! Basically, everything is fine! Haha. Just go with it and continue to look at your child like they are adorable/funny/the best human on earth.
Stay connected through touch whenever possible
Physical connection can add so much depth and emotion to your family photos. When you touch, kiss, or cuddle the person next to you, it creates a genuine emotion that will show on your faces and make your photos that much better. Don’t be afraid to show your love and affection during your photo session. Help your child walk by holding their hand, caress their face, touch their hair, whatever feels authentic to you. Any kind of physical connection to your family during your session will help your photos look more connected.
Create a fun family memory
So this is the thing… the experience during your family photos will forever be attached to the images that you receive. So it’s super important to create a fun and happy family memory, that way every time you look at your photos, you’re reminded of that day. If everyone is fighting on the car ride, and then the kids get yelled at to smile at the camera the entire time, and no one is having a good time… that’s not the experience you want to remember. This is why I’m giving you all of this advice, said a million times in different ways. Go with the flow, don’t get mad, let the kids do whatever they want, don’t stress over perfection because whatever happens naturally is actually perfect.
And as your family photographer, I’m here to guide you every step of the way. I’ll help you find the perfect location for your session, suggest outfits that will look great on camera, give you plenty of tips and tricks for making the most of your time together, and give you the permission to be yourselves.
So if you’re ready to have a fun, carefree, and joyful family session, let’s do this! Schedule your next family session, and let’s make some beautiful memories together!
If this was helpful, you may want to continue learning about making the most of your family photos! Here are some more articles:
→Tips for Preparing for Family Photos
→The Secret to Gorgeous, Magazine-Worthy Family Photos
→Why I Want Your Kids to Misbehave During Your Family Photos
→Why I Play Games During My Family Sessions
Thank you for sharing these wonderful tips, Becca! I absolutely love how you emphasize letting go of perfection and embracing the authentic, unscripted moments during family photo sessions. It’s such a great reminder that the best memories are made when families are simply themselves. I can’t wait to apply this advice in my own family portraits and focus on creating joyful, carefree experiences with my clients. Your approach truly captures the essence of what family photography should be about!