• About
    • About Rebecca
    • Meet the Team
    • Media Kit
    • FAQ
  • Photography
  • Holidays
  • Recipes
  • Printables
  • 2019 Calendar
  • Write for Us
  • Beyond Snapshots

Simple as That

Making Everyday Beautiful

5 Simple Tips for your next Family Photo Session

Monday, August 29, 2011

Want to capture magical moments with your phone? Join our 7-day email course, Beyond Snapshots, and master the art of mobile photography. Learn more.

5 Quick tips for your next Family Photo Session

As a professional photographer I’ve taken thousands of pictures for beautiful families each summer and fall. Capturing “the” photo for their Christmas cards is often on their minds. Recording the changes that occur throughout the year as your family grows can be a lot of fun! But let’s face it, when it comes to getting family photos taken, FUN isn’t always the first word that comes to mind. I’ve been behind the camera enough times with my own family to realize that family photos, while they are treasured keepsakes, don’t come without some effort. Today I’m going to share a few quick tips with you that can help put the fun back in your next family photo session. 🙂

At a photo session for our family a few years ago, the above photo was one of my favorites. I sure love that sweet family of mine! While we’re all looking at the camera in this shot and mostly smiling…I have to tell you, that this was only one of a handful of shots from the hundreds that were taken during the session, where this was the case. 😉

There were a few tears, an incident involving a bumble bee, a husband who was done taking photos much sooner than I was and some hilarious, but not quite hang-on-the-wall-worthy, expressions from the kids.
I remember feeling a little frustrated at the time that the kids were making silly faces and things just didn’t seem to be working out quite how I’d envisioned. But when I look back at these pictures now, I couldn’t possibly love them more! They make me smile and they portray our family so well – the outtakes more so than the frameable shots I’m afraid! Ha! That goofy grin was trademark Carson at 3 years old, Addie with her tongue sticking out is so typical of her quirky little personality and Emily, the sweetheart, was trying so hard to smile nice for mom – until that bumble bee showed up, then it was all over. 😉 Read on for a few tips I’ve learned from personal experience and from photographing hundreds of family’s over the years, that can help make your family photo session go just a little bit smoother this year.

5 simple tips for your next family photo session: 1. Have a plan. Plan the time of your photo session carefully. Make it a time when you won’t be rushed, children will be fed and well rested. Wear comfortable clothing. Pick a location where you can take the majority, if not all of your photos. Have a wishlist of photo ideas and poses you’d like captured ready for your photographer to help them know what style of photos you’re looking for (casual, silly, formal, etc.) Prepare everyone ahead of time so they know how long you’ll be taking photos and any behaviour expectations you may have. You want as many variables working in your favour as possible. Tired, hungry kids, uncomfortable clothing choices and multiple changes in location are all going to cut down on the amount of time everyone is happy and smiling for photos. Have a plan and make it a simple one.

2. Make it a flexible plan. While it’s great to have a plan, setting your expectations too high can often lead to frustration. Make your next family photo session less about getting the perfect shot and more about the moment, eachother and the thought of what memories will be triggered by these photos years down the road. This will take a little bit of the pressure off and help everyone to relax and just enjoy the time together as a family. The perfect family photo may not necessarily be the one you envision. Open your mind, relax, have fun with it & the photos will reflect a lovely memory of time spent together. If you are relaxed, your children will be too.

3. Involve the whole family. Ok, that might sound funny, it is family photos afterall, but inviting everyone’s input (especially children’s) as far as clothing choices, poses and other ideas, helps everyone feel like the photo session is a team effort – not just something they’re doing because mo and dad said they had to. 😉 Let each family member take a turn arranging the family how they’d like to see them photographed. Watch out, this could get a little silly. 🙂 When children are given some creative control and allowed to share their input they are so much more cooperative when it comes to taking photos mom and dad or the photographer would like.

4. Be prepared. Bring along some snacks, perhaps some games or other activities to keep younger children occupied while they’re waiting for other family members to have their photos taken. A few more things I also like to have on hand: a brush or comb, hairspray, water or something to drink, wipes, a treat (I am not, will not, never have been above using a little bribery ), an extra change of clothes in case someone gets dirty, a fun prop or two to personalize your session. Being prepared for situations that might arise during your session helps so much. Things go smoother and you can relax a little bit more when you know that if something goes wrong you’ve got some back up tools to help you out.

5. Have Fun. Most importantly make your family photo session a fun event, something to look forward to. Bring silly props – think fake mustaches, funky glasses, balloons or even some bubble gum for a bubble blowing contest. Not only do they look cute in photos, props also serve a very useful purpose. They keep little hands busy, fill in time while siblings are being photographed and help to drawing out smiles and genuine interactions. Whatever you can do to ensure that your photo session is an event to anticipated, not dreaded is going to help make it fun and will even help set the stage for next years photos!

Wishing you the best of luck with those family photos! I hope these quick tips will help make your next family photo session a fun and memorable one.:)

For more tips on making photos fun and ideas for taking great, natural photos of your kids, be sure to check out my latest eBook Don’t Say Cheese! How to get great, natural photos of your kids from Ella Publishing Co.Don't Say Cheese! How to get great, natural photos of your kids (by Rebecca Cooper)
  • Bio
  • Facebook
  • Google+
  • Pinterest
  • Latest Posts
  • Instagram
Rebecca

Rebecca

Rebecca Cooper is a 42-year-old wife and mother of four from Alberta, Canada. As a photographer, crafter, author, and blogger, she finds joy and fulfillment in celebrating everyday moments. She loves to read and eat chocolate, and is a firm believer in afternoon naps. Rebecca shares her family’s adventures, photo tips, simple craft projects + more right here at Simple as That.
Rebecca
Rebecca

+Rebecca

Rebecca

Rebecca

Rebecca

Latest posts by Rebecca (see all)

  • Printable 2023 Calendar - Monday, December 5, 2022
  • SMART Goal Setting Bookmarks - Sunday, June 12, 2022
  • Free Printable 2022 Calendar - Thursday, September 9, 2021
Rebecca
@rebecca_simpleasthat on Instagram

Beyond Snapshots  - Mastering Mobile PhotographyBeyond Snapshots
A moment captured is worth more than a moment forgotten—no matter how imperfect the lighting or how basic the camera. In one week we’ll move beyond taking snapshots to capturing magical moments with your phone. Click to learn more.

Filed Under: Photography

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Lytles says

    Tuesday, August 30, 2011 at 2:38 am

    Great tips! Thanks!

    Reply
  2. CraftCrave says

    Tuesday, August 30, 2011 at 5:34 am

    Just a quick note to let you know that a link to this post will be placed on CraftCrave today [30 Aug 01:00am GMT]. Thanks, Maria

    Reply
  3. Lisa says

    Tuesday, August 30, 2011 at 8:38 pm

    Thanks, Rebecca, for the great tips on family photos! I am already thinking of my Christmas card photo and have been inspired by your shots. We have a neat little cross-country running trail at the local college that has a path that looks similar to the one where you’ve taken the family pics in this post…you’ve given me some inspiration…maybe an autumn pic for this year’s card..or maybe the first snowfall?

    Reply
  4. Natalie says

    Tuesday, August 30, 2011 at 9:06 pm

    These are great tips! Thanks so much for sharing!

    Reply
  5. redheadreverie says

    Tuesday, August 30, 2011 at 9:38 pm

    GREAT tips…do you have any advice for not so cooperative dad in the group? He doesn’t like all the fuss of getting photographed.

    Reply
  6. Kristy Life-n-Reflection says

    Wednesday, August 31, 2011 at 2:17 am

    Beautiful as always!

    Reply
  7. Renee@Nana's Empty Nest says

    Wednesday, August 31, 2011 at 5:13 pm

    Those are all great tips! Family photos can go one of two ways, I always prefer fun and relaxed!

    Reply
  8. Melanie says

    Tuesday, July 3, 2012 at 2:45 am

    This was perfect, thank you!!

    Reply
  9. Kara Williams says

    Friday, July 13, 2012 at 9:35 pm

    Love these tips!! (And love the Converse sneakers shot, too.)

    Hope you and your family are well!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Rebecca Cooper — Founder, Simple as That Blog

Hello, I'm Rebecca. Welcome to my blog, Simple as That. Come along as we embrace simplicity in crafting, photography, travel, and family life. Read more about me.

Newsletter

Get the latest updates from Simple as That delivered to your inbox.

Join for Free

Beyond Snapshots: Mastering the Art of Mobile Photography

Connect

  • Bloglovin
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Follow On Pinterest

Visit Rebecca - Simple as That Blog's profile on Pinterest.

Categories

  • Crafts / DIY
  • Holidays
  • Motherhood
  • Organization
  • Photography
  • Printables
  • Recipes
  • Simple Living
  • Travel
  • Wellness

Our Privacy Policy

Follow on Instagram

Instagram has returned invalid data.

Printable 2023 Calendar

Our printable calendars and organizational pages have been essential in keeping our home and my life in order and I guarantee they will be a help to you too!

Click here to learn more

© Simple as That Blog, 2017 · Design by Brian Gardner

Simple as That Blog

Facebook / Instagram / Pinterest / Twitter / Contact