Family Photos
Shooting Family Photos
Family photos have always been a bit of a fear for me. I remember the first time I was asked to do a family shoot by a long time friend. I agreed but with great hesitation. While I’m not sure how many hours of YouTube and google article searches I compiled prior to my first shoot, I assure you it was rather large. The google searches and videos returned most of the same themes for prepping, the most common are outlined below. What I realized after over thinking the upcoming shoot was to marry what I had read and watched online with something more personal. I consider myself lucky, the families I’ve been asked to shoot over the year have all been friends or aquatences. So when selecting a theme or location I was able to choose settings that either the family felt comfortable in or that had a connection of some kind to the family. So when reading the tips below, I always think to myself how can I make this more of how the family would normally be as opposed to cookie cutter images.
Whether you are a professional photographer or just looking to snap some shots of your loved ones, here are some tips to ensure you get the best results:
Choose the Right Location: Select a location that is meaningful to the family or offers a picturesque backdrop. Consider natural lighting and the overall mood you want to convey in the photos.
Coordinate Outfits: Encourage family members to wear coordinating colors or styles to create a cohesive look in the photos. Avoid busy patterns or logos that may distract from the subjects.
Plan Poses Ahead of Time: Have a few pose ideas in mind before the shoot to help guide the session. Consider a mix of candid and more structured poses to capture a variety of moments.
Engage with the Family: Create a relaxed and fun atmosphere during the shoot to help family members feel comfortable in front of the camera. Encourage natural interactions and genuine smiles.
Focus on Details: Pay attention to small details like hair, clothing adjustments, and facial expressions to ensure everyone looks their best in the photos.
Take Advantage of Golden Hour: Shoot during the golden hour, the hour before sunset or after sunrise, for soft, flattering light that enhances your photos.
Use Props Sparingly: Incorporate props that hold special meaning to the family or add visual interest to the photos, but avoid overwhelming the scene with unnecessary objects.
Edit with Care: After the shoot, use photo editing software to enhance colors, lighting, and overall quality of the images. Avoid heavy editing that alters the natural look of the family.
By following these tips, you can capture beautiful and timeless family photos that will be cherished for years to come. Remember to have fun during the shoot and let the love and connections within the family shine through in the final images.
