Tips for Getting the Perfect Family Photos
The holidays are coming and that makes a perfect time for the annual family photo! You've spend time on the perfect outfits and now you want the perfect picture. Here are a few things to remember for a smooth photo shoot. Hopefully you have no accidental face injuries or mud puddles nearby!
7 Tips For Getting the Perfect Family Photo:
1. Have a Plan
We can’t stress this enough! Occasionally you can get lucky with that perfect shot on the fly, but for the most part, planning makes perfect. Or as perfect as one can get when it comes to family photos. There are so many things that go into this that could have a post of their own. Your photographer or Pinterest should be a great help for choosing the right location, the right clothes and props or posing ideas. Include the family as much as possible so they have a vested interested, perhaps making them a little more cooperative.
2. Keep it Simple
This is a family photo and you want to see the people, not necessarily the setting. Look for open fields, an old brick wall or even the side of a rustic barn to keep your photos distraction free. Closeup shots are often the best family photos anyway.
3. Schedule When Kids Are the Happiest
This mostly applies to infants and toddlers because if you have teens and wait for them to be happy, it may be years! Just kidding – but if you can work around the kiddos routines, the better the photos you are going to get! We can almost promise that it will be a disaster if photos are scheduled during little Johnny’s nap time. Also make sure everyone is well fed. You don't want to document the memory of the time everyone was "hangry".
4. Have Some Fun
Use props to liven up a shot or lend some creativity for the Christmas Card photo. Try different positions, don't be afraid to lay down or use chairs or even a ladder for height variations. Let the kids play and have fun. Family photos should be about capturing a memory and it will be a much better one if the kids aren't constantly being told what to do. Some great candid shots can come if you let them play and be natural.
5. Coordinate, Don’t Match
You don’t want your clothing to be a distraction and if everyone is in red or white, that’s all people are going to see! Take the time to plan coordinated, not matching outfits. Use a few different colors and don't be afraid to use different shades of the same color.
6. Don’t over pose
Enjoy the time and you will see it in your faces. The more natural you are, the better the photos will turn out. You don't want any weird overly posed arms or the totem pole look were everyone is standing too straight. Don't be afraid to bend and arm or leg a little.
7. Choose the Right Photographer
There are a lot of options out there with different cost structures. Talk to or meet with the photographer and make sure you click. If you feel more comfortable and have similar styles, the photos are much more likely to be what you want. If you just go the cheap route, you may end up hating them and leaving them in a drawer. Don't waste the money, go with your instinct and find the right photographer at the right price.
Enjoy the time as a family!! Here's to hoping your family photo session is a success!