Here you'll find info to help you prepare for your shoot, some personal ramblings and the lovely folks who I have met along the way...
Some Simple Tricks for Authentic Family Photos You’ll All Love
Gone are the days of lining your family up in a row and having everyone smile for the camera at the same time. I can hear the huge sigh of relief now! Because if you’ve got little ones, you know how impossible that simple action can be. But, honestly, how often are your family like that? Wouldn’t you prefer pictures that show your family as it really is? A little crazy and chaotic with a lot of movement, action and fun thrown in for good measure! Here are some simple tricks for authentic family photos you’ll all love.
Wear What Makes You Feel Good
It’s natural to want to dress up for a photo shoot. It’s an occasion, and you want everyone looking smart for the photos. But that can sometimes mean feeling uncomfortable, especially if you’re not feeling completely confident in it.
Opt for something you love instead. Something that’s made you feel amazing. When you’re looking at your photographs in years to come, what you wore won’t be as important as how you felt. It’ll matter more to you that everyone was comfortable, happy and feeling good. That’s the stuff that really shows!
A Special Location
If you pick a spot because you think it looks pretty, it may leave you and your family feeling slightly underwhelmed. Instead, choose a place that holds some special meaning to you as a family. A place with lots of fun memories and that you know.
It could be your favourite park, a beach you often picnic at, or even your own home. For lots of ideas and inspiration, check out my post about choosing a location for your photo shoot.
Be Yourselves
As a family, you’ve all got your own individual personalities, traits and moods. I don’t expect everyone to be on their best behaviour for your photos! Be yourselves. Focus on being together and doing all the things you would typically do as a family.
Treat your photo shoot as a fun outing. Hang out, play and see what happens. I’ll be there to capture it all, the fun stuff as well as the tantrums. Because that’s what family life is, right?
Collaborate With Your Photographer
Your photo shoot isn’t just about me placing you and posing you in certain ways, taking the photos and then disappearing off into the sunset. I want this to be a collaboration as much as anything, so let me know if you have any specific ideas! I’m always more than happy to take requests.
No Posing Experience Necessary
At the end of the day, you’re not professional models. So, I don’t expect you to have stacks of posing experience when you come for your photo shoot. You don’t need to practice any poses. Leave it to me. I’ll guide you and give you specific instructions if I see an awkward angle or hand placement. But, for the most part, it’s very relaxed and natural. This is about capturing your authentic selves, remember!
Share Stories
I love to hear about who you are as a family, and every family always has lovely stories to tell. Feel free to share anything you like about you and your family before and during the session. If it gives me an insight into the kind of family you are, I’ll make sure your photos capture that too!
It’s also good to share anything you think might be relevant before the shoot so I can be prepared. Things like a shy family member or a very active little one are always helpful to know.
Choose An Activity
A great way of getting authentic family photos is to capture pictures of you all doing something you enjoy together. It could be riding your bikes, eating ice creams, reading books or taking the dog for a walk. You could opt to visit a ‘Pick Your Own’ and have me capture that for you. Fun group activities provide lots of photo opportunities, and it’ll be a lovely memory you’ll all share together too.
Remove Distractions
To have you all connecting and focusing on each other as a family, it’s essential to eliminate any distractions. So, put those phones in your bag. Save the cartoons for afterwards. And enjoy spending some time together while I get those beautiful pictures for you!
Take Your Time
If you’re already thinking about what you need to do afterwards, or you’re checking your watch because you have another appointment, you’ll struggle to be in the moment and enjoy what’s going on.
Don’t schedule an appointment immediately after your session. As a Mum, I know just how things can overrun when you’ve got a little one in tow and it’s easy to underestimate how long things can take! Instead, why not take the day off and go with the flow? You’ll be much more relaxed for your photos, as will everyone else around you.
So, if a relaxed, natural family photo shoot is what you’re looking for, then let’s have a chat and get you booked in! I can’t wait to spend some time with you and your family.