Get the Best Photos from Your Family Portrait Session

Family Portrait Photoshoots are meant to be a way to capture a wonderful moment in time to remember forever. Although this sounds special and fun, a family photoshoot can be challenging and stressful for both the family photographer and the family because each person involved knows how important the end result is to everyone.

So, let’s try to get everybody on the same page and strive for an enjoyable and successful family portrait photoshoot with these tips:

• Tips for Family Portrait Photographers
• Tips for Families for the Portrait Photoshoot

Tips for Family Portrait Photographers

A family photoshoot is a major obligation which can be demanding for the family portrait photographer. It’s important to remember that the family selected you and you have the skill to deliver on your family portrait photoshoot job.

As you prepare for your next family portrait photoshoot, here are some tips to help you ensure a gratifying experience and result for you and the family.

Tips for Before the Family Photoshoot

Location – Work with the family to choose the right location for the family photoshoot. Consider all aspects including indoor vs. outdoor, number of people in the family, and the time of year and weather. Discuss a potential location that means something to the family – perhaps the family cabin or a local park where family picnics are held?

Candid photography – A great option for family photoshoots is candid photography, especially for a smaller family unit. Think about whether this might be a good fit for your upcoming family photoshoot and suggest it to your clients. Have the family tell you about themselves and what they like to do, you may find a nugget that would inspire a candid photography location. Great options for a candid family photoshoot: day trip in the city, an afternoon at the amusement park or zoo, a family hiking or ski trip or even a weekend at the cottage. All of these offer the beauty of capturing the family candidly enjoying something they love together.

Concept - Discuss the family’s photoshoot vision with them in advance. Are they looking for something modern or classic? Do they want to capture fun, or do they want a more serious tone? This will help guide your decisions for other aspects like location, candid vs. posed, clothing, props, etc.

Clothing and Colours – Another thing to discuss with the family in advance is clothing and colours. You’ll want to get an idea of how formal or informal the family wants to go with the photoshoot. You’ll want to provide a guiding hand to ensure that outfits and colours work well on film.

Groupings of People – There is a wide-range of number of subjects for family portrait photography which can make it challenging. You’ll want to understand how many people are in the group to allow you to plan the appropriate amount of time for the family photoshoot.

You’ll also want to understand the relationships so you can work with the family in advance to understand the portrait groupings because this can be a minefield:

• Do they want photos of the grandparents and all the grandkids?
• Do they want photos of all the couples?
• Are there any pregnant couples that need to be highlighted?
• Are there any relationship issues, i.e. Grandpa is remarried and the relationship with ex-wife is strained?
• Will step-kids be included in the same manner?
• Are there any specific groupings desired – all the adult kids or all the women?

You’ll also want to know how many kids and their ages to help you gauge child-management and timing during the session.

Gear You’ll Need to Prep – here is a recommended list of photography gear you’ll want to consider for your upcoming family photoshoot:

• Tripod
• Wide-angle lens
• Zoom lenses
• Extra battery
• White card and reflector
• Props
• Other gear you might need

Tips for During the Family Photoshoot

Over the course of the family portrait photoshoot, you’ll need to be on-point to ensure you capture every moment you can. Try some of these family photo shoot tips:

• Use manual mode
• Shoot raw
• Lighting focused on the eyes
• Keep your eyes peeled for “moments” to capture
• Use burst (continuous) mode
• Get the light right with light metering
• Avoid a narrow aperture
• Lock the focus

How to Pose – Start by interacting with your subjects in a casual but professional way to make them more comfortable. This will make posing easier. Avoid stiff head and body positions and opt instead for natural poses. Pose to flatter your subjects; your job is to internally note your subjects’ flaws (or perceived flaws) that will be negatively highlighted in photos, so ensure that you pose them and shoot them to minimize impact in the portraits.

Start with Largest Groups – Keep in mind that the larger the group, the shorter the attention span. So, plan to shoot the largest groups and children first.

Managing Kids – Make sure that you schedule the photoshoot for a good time when the kids are fed, happy, and not tired. Let the kids be kids – let them enjoy the photoshoot as this is how you will get the most genuine and emotional shots of them. Remember to go with the flow as you may need to adjust your plans. Your photos will turn out better if they are natural vs. forces and restrained.

Notice details – As the photoshoot progresses, make sure to watch out for small details that can make a perfect photo disappointing - smeared lipstick, untied shoes, mussed hair, chocolate moustache.

Tips for Families for Portrait Photoshoot

A family portrait photoshoot takes a lot of coordination and planning. It’s essential to be ready to make sure that your final family photos turn out wonderfully. Here are some tips to help you prepare for your upcoming family photoshoot.

Photographer or DIY – Although hiring a family portrait photographer is the best choice, it’s important to think about all your options and considerations.

• Is your budget an issue?
• Is there a friend-of-the-family or a photography student you know that could fit the bill?
• Mobile phone photo technology has come a long way – could this be an option?

Season – If you are planning on taking the family portraits outdoors, the time of year plays a major role in your session timing. Consider which season you’d like to backdrop your family photos. Often people gravitate towards fall and summer but spring and winter also present lovely options for a family photoshoot. Keep in mind that the temperature may dictate your family portrait outfits. Also, remember to think about weather issues that could make your family photoshoot problematic. Also, make sure that you arrange for a backup date, in case the weather doesn’t cooperate with your originally planned photoshoot date.

Location – As with the location tip for your photographer (above), you’ll want to consider indoor vs. outdoor, number of people in the family, and the time of year and weather when selecting your family portrait photoshoot location. Take advice you’re your family photographer, because their experience can guide you to an optimal location. Also think about places that are special to your family – this might hold the key to the perfect family portrait setting.

What to Wear – Think about the tone and personality you’d like to convey. Choose clothes you feel good in and reflect your true personalities. Maybe you will consider multiple outfits – if so, dress in layers to allow for quick changes. Also, make sure to bring back-up clothes for everyone just in case of a spill or mud. Ensure that, if you are doing your family photoshoot outdoors, your clothing selections are weather-appropriate. When selecting your outfits, you should strive for coordinating colours, not matching. You’ll also want to think about how your clothing choices will look in your photoshoot location; the colour palette of the clothes should complement and work with the setting. Don’t forget to consider where photos will be displayed in your home as you’ll want colours in your outfits that work with your décor for when you display your family portraits. A few final quick tips: avoid seasonal outfits and colours as your family photos will be displayed all year long and don’t wear any distracting patterns or logos. Make the day of your family photoshoot easier by planning your outfits in advance and laying them out the night before to avoid the scramble in the morning.

Professional Makeup/Hair – If your budget accommodates, get makeup and hair professionally done. You’ll be amazed at how much difference it makes in your photos. You’ll want to look like your natural self but running around the morning of the family photoshoot trying to make sure everyone is ready can take a toll on a stressed-out mom who quickly throws on her clothes and makeup just in time. Getting your makeup and hair done before the shoot ensures a fresh face instead of a frazzled one.

Display Options and Considerations - Think about how you are going to display your family portraits after the photoshoot is all said and done. This may impact the photos you take and the groupings of people in the photos. You have a myriad of family portrait display options including photo Christmas cards, framed family photos to add to an existing family photo wall, photo books, photo canvas, family photo collages, or metal art prints.

Prepare the Kids – To give you the best chance of a smooth and successful family portrait photoshoot, prepare in advance. Explain to the kids what a photoshoot is and why it’s important and set expectations for behaviour – but make sure they know that this is supposed to be an enjoyable experience. Make sure everyone is fed and rested. And remember to pack good snacks that are easy to eat and don’t make a mess.

Enjoy Your Family Photoshoot – Most importantly, keep reminding yourself (and everyone else in the family) that the family portrait photoshoot should be fun and not a chore. It will show in the final photos.

Better Family Photoshoot for Better Family Portraits

A little forethought, communication, planning and a light-hearted attitude can make all the difference for a successful family portrait photoshoot. We hope that these family photoshoot tips for photographers and families help you achieve your ultimate goal: getting beautiful, authentic family portraits that you can proudly display for years to come.

Need advice for your upcoming family portrait photoshoot? Contact the photography experts at Annex Photo.