5 ways to get the very best family photos

So you've booked a family session and now you're in the “what do we do with our hands!?” phase? Well, there are lots of ways to ensure you not only get amazing and natural photos of your family but also have a great time while you're there. I've pulled together 5 of my favourite tips to get the best possible family photos that I share with my clients before we work together.

Of course, every photographer is different but there's definitely a few tips that will work across the board.

1. Don't be afraid to have a good time

Seems obvious, right? Not always the case! A lot of people still view photo sessions as formal, stiff and stressful times that they have to endure rather than enjoy. I gotta say, if you come expecting to not have a good time, you probably won't and worse yet… your photos will show that.

If you sink into the idea of having a great time and let yourself relax your experience will be amazing and your photos will show just that! Think of this less as a formal session and more as an opportunity to let the day to day stresses go and have fun with your family. To love up on them the way they deserve and the way you deserve too!

A portrait session is always a collaboration between photographer and client. We'll bring our A game, don't forget to bring yours too.

2. Plan around an activity / Let your kids run free

( This is a two parter ) One way to take the stress out of your photo session is to plan it around an activity. This works especially well if you have young children. Their attention spans will only last so long if we don't let them run free or give them something to look forward to. Think of something they love to do and centre your session around it. We'll focus on formal portraits at first, but then we'll let the kids run free and be kids.

The more you fight against a child who is acting out, the worse it will get. We can always take a short break or focus on something else for a while if anyone needs some time to settle. It happens! I promise this won't be the first or last time it happens at a session. Young children don't really understand what's happening and that's hard. Usually once you give them some freedom, they're eager to come back and see what's happening with parents. Also, this gives us some time to take shots of you and your partner! So cuddle up!!

3. Try to focus on your family, rather than the camera

They are, afterall, why we’re here. Plus I bet you love them far more than a camera. ;)

Besides showing a true and natural tenderness between you and your loved ones, focusing on your family rather than the camera also helps alleviate the nerves that may come with having your photo taken.

I'll always ask for you to look at the camera if I need you to. Chances are, if you're staring at someone with those loving eyes, you're doing exactly what I want you to do.

Capturing those moments of you in love with brand new babe, or your partner are way more special to my clients than the smile+cheese photos. Not that we won't get those. We will.

4. Don’t be afraid to focus on the small everyday moments and activities

I often hear that families are having a difficult time coming up with an activity to do with their family. I think when asked for this people think on a grand scale, but it's ok to think small. The behind the scenes of your everyday life with little ones is pretty special and you'll want to remember them.

Bath time, reading, making cookies, cuddle puddles, making a fort, blowing bubbles, jumping through a sprinkler. They all make for amazing activities and awesome photos!!!

Try not to think epic, think about what you want to remember. Do you want to remember the quiet moments or the action packed moments, or maybe a family ritual. Work from there. You'll be surprised how many options we have.

5. Partner up

One of the things I love to do at family sessions is to break things down into smaller groups. Have one on one time with each parent, or just siblings, or just parents. Better yet! All of the above. That way we can focus on those individual relationships too. There are so many amazing dynamics within a family, why not catch as many as possible in one shoot!

This also works so well if someone needs a break, or to hold someone's attention. It's often much easier to hold someone's attention when we're in a smaller group. Less people trying to call them and get them to look somewhere.