Everyone wants amazing family photos. We see them in our social media feeds and wonder “how can I make that happen with my family?”. Maybe your family photo sessions in the past have been a disaster mix of cranky children, outfit stress, and bribing for those perfect smiles. More and more people are looking for lifestyle photos of their families, ones that feel relaxed and authentic. But what is the secret to a joyful, relaxed family session? If this sounds like something you’ve asked yourself, then I have 5 essential tips for stress free family pictures.
A guide to your stress free family pictures
Amazing family photos don’t have to be hard! Follow this simple guide to getting the most out of your family photo session.
Tip 1: Choose the right location
Wondering where you should have your stress free family pictures? Select a location that your family already loves. It could be your home, a favorite park, a beach, or any place that reflects your family’s lifestyle and personality. Meaningful locations add depth and authenticity to your photos, and the familiarity helps your children relax!
Tip 2: Wear coordinated, comfortable outfits
The dreaded task of choosing outfits! Let me help make it simple for you. Matchy-matchy outfits are outdated, instead opt for pieces that compliment each other and don’t clash. Your photographer should be able to help you choose a color palette that suits the location and season. Comfort is key, so ensure that everyone feels relaxed and confident in their clothing choices. Here are the pieces you should avoid: tight plaid patterns, stretchy cotton pieces that cling, anything very brightly colored or neon, and clothes that wrinkle easily. Layers are always a good idea! Ultimately your Cape Cod family photographer should guide you through this process to make it as stress free as possible.
Tip 3: Plan fun activities for more candid moments
This is one of the most essential tips for achieving that relaxed feeling in your photos. Chat with your photographer about some activities you can include during your session that make sense for the location. If your session is outdoors maybe you can plan some spots for your kids to explore or some fun, simple games to play with your kids that get them smiling. Plan your in home session around activities like cooking together, or reading books on the parents’ bed, basically whatever you love to do together as a family! These candid moments capture the essence of your family life and add so much sentimentality to your photos. The goal is to showcase natural interactions and emotions in order to end up with beautifully authentic images.
Tip 4: Timing is everything
There are many factors at play when choosing the best time of day, and the best time of year for your session. The golden hours, shortly after sunrise or before sunset, offer soft and flattering light. Think of your kids schedules and personalities and plan the session at a time when your family is typically most relaxed and happy. Try your best to avoid scheduling it during nap times or when everyone is likely to be tired or hungry. It may seem that the best time of year for your outdoor session is the summer, however the off season has many amazing perks! In fact, a beach session might actually be the best in the winter or early spring. There are less crowds, no parking fees, you can bring your family dog, the light in the winter is gorgeous, and the sunset is earlier so it won’t cut into your kids’ witching hour! In home sessions are much more flexible when it comes to timing. These sessions are best when the light is best in your home, which is different for everyone! Plan your in home session around the best light and the ideal activities you’d like to include.
Tip 5: Be yourselves and have fun
This is the absolute most important tip for having stress free family pictures! You want to look back on these images and remember what life was like at that point. You want to remember the way your child used to smile, the way they used to hold your hand, or any of the other sweet yet fleeting things that our kids do with us as parents. So, relax! Have fun! Snuggle and play with your kids, let them explore and don’t worry about them behaving perfectly. Your photographer should create the perfect environment in order to help you feel as relaxed and comfortable as possible. This session is about you and your family and you couldn’t be anyone better than yourselves!
Stress free family pictures
Remember, the key to a fantastic family lifestyle photography session is to capture the love, connection, and joy that define your family. Your photographer should be one that is an expert giving you stress free family pictures! If what you’ve read here resonates with what you really want to get out of your family photo session, then I might just be the right photographer for you! Capturing authentic, joyful images for families is where I shine, and I would love to chat with you about your family session dreams. Contact me today to learn more!
