How to Photograph a Family Session
If you’re a seasoned pro, a lot of this is going to sound like second nature. If you’re just starting out, a lot of this might be fresh knowledge. If you’re not a photographer, then welcome to a little snippet of how I approach family sessions! Regardless of your experience level, I hope you can read this blog and take away a bit of fresh info that you can apply to your next session!
Rules
Always be touching. After the intros and hi-how-are-ya’s I get right to it with laying down the ground work for the rest of the session + explaining to my clients how I want them to interact with each other while we’re together. Always be touching is rule number one. Either holding hands or hips bumping or wrapped up in each other, I want my clients to constantly be touching. Like, I want their bodies so connected that I can hardly tell who is who. Of course there are exceptions to every rule, but laying the ground work for them in this way helps us start off on the right foot!
Always be moving. Swaying, twirling, dancing, dipping + tossing littles, I want constant motion. The more, the better. It’s how photos come to life before your eyes. To truly freeze frame a moment, you have to have a moment to freeze, so reminding my clients to keep motion at the forefront is ultra important.
Never look at me. No, really, stop looking at my camera. Look at her, look at him, look at each other, just don’t look at me. When it’s time for everyone to look at the camera, I’ll tell you. I don’t want my clients to connect with my lens, I want them connected with each other. There is a time and a place for the mantle shot (the one where everyone is smiling and looking at the camera) and we’ll get to it, naturally, in a little bit.
Walk it off
I always start with my clients walking away from me. It gives them a chance to settle into the session, I get to set my settings and it’s far less intimidating than starting with a camera right in the faces of littles. These aren’t necessarily the images I will love most from the session, but it’s a good way to settle the nerves and set the scene so-to-speak.
Have a seat
Unless the ground is a nasty mess, I always have a blanket with me for my clients to use and abuse. Okay, maybe not abuse, but defiantly to use in a plethora of ways, starting with sitting on it as a family. My blankets are average size so that means squeezing my clients’ family onto it and making sure things get really cozy. I have them sit up, lay down, tickle, cuddle + smooch!
Dance around
This is where the goofy stuff starts to happen. We get up and get moving in a million ways. I give prompts here to have a family dance party, play different games (depending on ages of kiddos, anything from peek-a-boo to tag!) and generally let their personalities really shine through!
Get cozy
Now is the time that I start to wind the session down a bit. We harness all the energy we just created and morph it into ultimate love snuggles. Typically, my families are standing at this point however depending on the location and season, I may have them lay down again on the blanket. This is where I get tender mama snuggles, sweet sibling kisses and adorable nose boops!
Adult time
Now is the time that I am sure to get photos of parents. It’s freaking hard to be a parent and I want to make sure that the parents I am photographing get a chance to celebrate themselves. I have them whisper, smooch, cuddle- all of the things! PLEASE don’t leave this one out. It has been so important to my clients (and me!) to have photos with their partner!
This is always my plan A. The way that I will always approach a family session. But keep in mind that things can change on a dime and you might have to switch to plan B, C or even G. Some things to keep in mind that might cause you to switch things up?
Upset kiddos for starters. You’d never know it from these images but little Atticus was NOT feeling this session. He kept me on my toes and I don’t think I ever stopped moving. I was able to keep with my original plan, but I had to modify as I went and we spent much more time sitting during this session that my clients typically do. Remember that it’s okay if your plans change! Keep your clients connected and in the moment and things will work out!
Weather + the sun. Weather can always effect what you’re doing. Pay attention to the clouds on the horizon and decide if you need to move to another location sooner rather than later to beat the clouds getting in the way of the sunset. If the ground is wet, it may be harder to do things like sit and roll on the ground (obviously) so always feel the ground before you have your clients sit.
And finally, your clients. They may have other ideas for their session that they want to incorporate. Don’t hesitate even for a second to honor ANY request from your clients. If there is a photo that they specifically want, it is your duty to deliver, even if it doesn’t ‘align with your vision’. Don’t let it throw you off too much and really, start allowing for these requests! I offer at the end of all my sessions to photograph special requests!
Happy shooting!