The Timeless Art of Family Portrait Photography

When families gather for portraits, stress can set in: kids complain, parents worry about their appearance, and everyone feels uncomfortable in front of the camera. As the photographer, you can turn this chaos into beauty by setting the scene for authentic family portraits.

Preparation is key. Before the session, have families fill out a simple questionnaire with information like who will be there, kids’ names and ages, and what would make the experience special for them. This will help you tailor the session to their needs and expectations. You can also provide them with a short guide on what to expect, or simply reassure them that you’re flexible and anything they do is great. Your portfolio will give them a sense of your style and what you’re capable of creating. Pay attention to the images they share on social media and share images that align with what you want to make.

Research the images you want to create. Look at the groupings, lighting, and time of day. This will give you a starting point.

When you meet the family, connect with the kids. Guess their age, tell a joke, or ask them to show you around their home. This is a great way to scout locations and allow the kids to adjust to your presence.

Reassure the parents. Tell them all the beautiful things you notice and let them know they look amazing. Remind them that kids don’t need to smile or have fun all the time. Anything children do is great, and all emotions are welcome. When kids cry or turn away, or someone just isn’t into it, reassure parents to take their time and offer whatever the child needs. You are encouraging closeness, and authentic emotions are part of that. Often, that acceptance is exactly what kids need to stay in the picture.

Choosing a Location

Home is the most relaxing place for families, even if they don’t love how it looks. Assure them that you can make it work. You can photograph families in front of boxes, construction zones, and even clothes baskets. The benefits of being home are great: families can change their clothes, take breaks, relax, and play their favorite music. Kids can play in the spaces they’re most comfortable in, and you can photograph it all.

Homes can be visually busy, so find settings that create the scene without distracting from your subjects. Look for doorways, archways, and other backgrounds that frame your group. Back or side lighting by a window is great, especially when everyone is on the floor. Beds are wonderful for playful photos. Challenge yourself to use furniture in unusual ways, like encouraging families to perch on the edge of a chair or the arm of a sofa. You can also find a beautiful rug or wood floor and photograph them on the floor from above.

Outdoor locations are also lovely and offer variety. Prepare families for where you’ll meet them and what to expect, including the terrain and any other considerations. Find backgrounds that are minimal and soft, with layers in the distance. If you’re meeting somewhere, allow plenty of time. When you find soft grass, don’t miss the opportunity to have the family lie down and play. Photographing families from above or from a distance next to a tree is a great way to capture authentic family portraits.

How to Keep Kids Engaged

Keeping kids engaged during a photo session can be a wonder or a challenge, but it all depends on your approach.

Start by photographing the whole family together while the kids are still interested in you. If you lose someone’s attention, or if the kids need a break, you can move on to smaller family groupings. If a child is over it, ignore them rather than making them the focus of attention. This often brings them back faster than chasing them.

Talk to the kids about collaboration and how you can work together to create some art. This is something that kids know all about! Offer them small jobs to do, play simple games, play music they enjoy, and photograph their favorite things. This will make all the difference in getting them engaged.

For newborn sessions, it’s important to set the environment first. Make sure the parents and newborn are all set up before bringing in any other children. Offer alone time with older kids and parents as well, so that everyone feels important and valued.

Kids love cameras, so encourage them to inspect yours or push a button for you. Bringing a camera that they can use is another great way to keep them engaged. Offer them an inexpensive digital camera, an old point-and-shoot, or an instant camera to play with. Wooden toy cameras are also fun for toddlers. Encourage kids to find one of their toy cameras and help you.

Prompts for Authentic Family Portraits

Start small to help parents stay close to their kids. Offer small, specific movements, such as taking a breath, smelling their kid’s hair, stepping toward each other, or shaking out their hands. Authentic joy and laughter translate well on camera, and kids love to laugh. Encourage laughter by blurting out the silliest kid-friendly potty humor you can think of, even with adults who may be struggling.

Setting up and playing is always a great idea. Layer in the kids after the parents are settled, and frame your shot before giving the kids any direction. For small kids, recruit them to be a helper and offer them the chance to jump in, give a gentle kiss or hug, or wrestle their parents. You can also ask them to close their eyes and show you what dreaming looks like.

The simple act of observing families can make a difference. Get close and look for details. Move around your scene and experiment with the family in shadow or through an object. You can also go outside and photograph them through a window. In-between moments can yield beautiful results, so be ready when they walk from one scene to another. If a child is cranky, cries, or isn’t having it, just go with it. Reassure the parents to do whatever they need and continue to observe, and you’ll find magical moments.

Cameras and Lenses for Family Portraits

Choose the camera that’s right for you, but don’t be precious about gear when photographing families. Use cameras that are fun to play with and that kids won’t be afraid to touch.

Mirrorless cameras are small, light, and easy to carry around. A 24-70mm lens is a great all-around lens for families, but a 40mm lens is ideal for many family portraits. A 50mm f/1.8 lens is not fancy, but it’s small and great for family portraits.

Don’t be afraid to experiment with different cameras and lenses. When visiting people at home, bring a vintage Polaroid camera to slow things down and try something new. It’s okay if you fumble a bit at first. Just explain what you’re doing. Families appreciate seeing that you’re a human who makes mistakes too.

More Ideas for Authentic Family Portraits

Bring a favorite blanket outside to provide a natural gathering place for everyone to stay close.

Bring an Instax camera to share with kids. These cameras are easy to use and let kids see their photos right away. Kids can use it to photograph you or their families. It’s up to you whether to keep the photos and scan them, or give them to the kids as a gesture of thanks.

Bring flowers, especially when photographing families at home. It’s a sweet gesture to arrive with something, and flowers make a beautiful addition to portraits. Give kids cut flowers to play with, or offer flowers to parents to hold.

Photographing families is a joy. Keeping a few small things in mind will help you create authentic, beautiful images.