Five simple steps for a successful family photo session

Whether it’s an annual occurrence or you’re decided to have a one off photo session for the family, the fact remains: you want a set of photographs that you can look back on and cherish. Get ready to throw caution to the wind.

Coordinated Clothing

You don’t necessarily have to be totally matching, but having a color or a theme can really add to the flavor of your photos. Settle on neutral colors with splashes of blue shades, or if you are a family of big personalities don’t be afraid to throw in big splashes of color, like reds and yellows. You can also show your personality with some props- whether it’s hats, glasses and scarves or some of your favorite family activities. If you’re a little bit country, or a little bit rock ‘n’ roll, don’t be afraid to let it out.

Eat, Drink and Be Merry

Photo sessions can take a bit of time, so it’s important to make sure everyone is fed and watered before arriving for a shoot. The last thing anyone wants is to break out snacks halfway through a session only for their hungry baby and toddler to end up covered in it. So get these things out of the way before everyone gets dressed for picture time. Everyone knows it’s easy to be merry when you’re well fed.

Relax and Have Fun

The best pictures are of a family that is relaxed and enjoying themselves, so don’t stress about kids running away or meltdowns. A good photographer knows how to roll with the punches and will capture those kids just being kids. Cookie cutter pictures are so passé.

Forget Posing

Everyone is trying to capture the perfect family photos that they can cherish for a lifetime. Throw away everything you think you know and be prepared to have a little fun. Capture your kids being kids and let the essence of your family shine through. It’s okay if the kids are looking at the camera, you can all be looking at each other- it shows through in photos- and if you’re all engaged with each other then your smiles will come across even more naturally.

Variety is the Spice of Life

Joke, tickle, giggle, laugh and have fun. Sometimes the best photos show families being natural and doing things together. That’s why the photos you see of people jumping in the air are so popular, because the kids love it and even if the adults resist once they’re all competing to see who can jump the highest they forget about the fact that there’s a photographer present and they just have fun!

That’s what family photos are really about. It isn’t about everyone sitting in uncomfortable clothing and staring at the camera, it’s about the love and bond you all share and capturing something special on film.