| When it comes to the dynamics of a family, nothing | | | | Tell the kids to ignore the camera like they ignore |
| is ever "posed" and stiff! A day in the life usually | | | | you when you tell them to clean their room. Yep, |
| involves chaos and craziness at every turn. Have you | | | | that should get the message across. The more you |
| ever seen those family pictures where everyone | | | | act like yourselves, the better your family pictures |
| matches, the background is a muddy shade of | | | | will turn out. |
| tie-dye blue, and the kids have gone bug-eyed from | | | | 4) Photographer knows best |
| posing too long? I couldn't imagine looking at a picture | | | | Moms, you may have to take a breather on this one. |
| of my family like this and thinking, "Wow, this picture | | | | For your family photos, ask your family photographer |
| really encapsulates who we are together." Um, I don't | | | | for suggestions and tips on how to make your day |
| think so! | | | | more successful. For example, I would tell a client to |
| Families involve happy times, angry times, silly times, | | | | make sure you scheduled your family photo session |
| crazy times, and everything in between. The only | | | | around your normal daily schedule. Be aware of |
| way to get the real-ness of a family is to find a | | | | naptimes, wake-up times, work-times, and any other |
| photographer that can catch those in between | | | | time that you are used to during your daily routine. |
| reactions and go on a fun (no, really!) family photo | | | | Also, be very aware of the time of day that you |
| shoot with you. | | | | choose for your shoot. If you want to take a trip to |
| 1) Go OUTSIDE the box (Or studio, that is) | | | | the park for your family photos, don't plan on having |
| Sometimes being in a studio just creates that stuffy | | | | the shoot at 1pm in the afternoon. The light will not |
| stifled atmosphere that suppresses the real | | | | work nearly as well as it would closer to evening or |
| interactions of a family. I believe that each family | | | | late afternoon. Squinty eyes can ruin a picture! |
| member gets nervous because it is an | | | | Always ask your photographer for some helpful tips |
| out-of-the-ordinary setting and one no one is used to. | | | | and ideas to you can plan your shoot accordingly. |
| So, get out of there! Take the kids and go to a park. | | | | Remember: The photographer wants to work with |
| Visit the zoo or go get some ice cream. For fun | | | | you! |
| family photos, take a trip somewhere to do | | | | 5) ALL Day is okay! |
| something your family is used to doing together. | | | | Here is a fun family photo idea that I often like to |
| Your family photos will look more real, your | | | | throw out there: why not book a family |
| photographer will have an easier time of catching | | | | photographer for the entire DAY? Have the |
| those moments that make your family unique, and | | | | photographer get the real low-down on what your |
| everyone will be relaxed and at ease with each other. | | | | family is like on an hour-by-hour basis. Booking your |
| No nervousness allowed! | | | | family photographer for an entire day of shooting will |
| 2) Matching Smatching | | | | get many moments of daily life you wouldn't capture |
| I don't know any families that wear matching clothing | | | | otherwise. For the moms, you are usually the one |
| all of the time. If you want family photos that look | | | | taking the pictures, right? Or you dads? This way, |
| real, look believable, and look like YOU, wouldn't it | | | | you BOTH can be in the photos without having to |
| make sense to do the things you're used to doing | | | | set a timer and run to pose in front of the camera. |
| every day? If you don't wear matching shirts every | | | | These shoots produce photojournalistic style photos - |
| time you leave the house, don't wear them to the | | | | ones that tell a story, moment to moment, emotion |
| photo shoot! Wear things you are comfortable in and | | | | to emotion. Get the kids in their jammies eating |
| that make each of you feel good. Bright colors | | | | breakfast, the family making dinner together, and the |
| usually work the best for the camera and help each | | | | parents tucking the kids in bed. You could break |
| person to stand out from the background. My | | | | apart the day any which way you like, just so long |
| suggestion is to pick a color scheme and stick with it. | | | | as you get the memories that you want to hold on |
| Choose just a few colors for your family photos that | | | | to. |
| everyone is comfortable with and looks attractive in. | | | | The biggest part of fun family photography is getting |
| Blend - don't match. | | | | everyone to act in the normal way they do when |
| 3) Ignore the Camera....no, seriously | | | | together, without a strange camera in your face. |
| I have seen so many occasions where people get in | | | | When a family is real and comfortable with each |
| front of the camera and automatically freeze. There | | | | other, the true spirit of the family dynamic comes |
| is just something about that big glass lens that | | | | across. Using these tips for better family photos, |
| makes people stiffen up and become nervous! The | | | | getting that spirit across to the photographer is what |
| BEST way to become comfortable in front of the | | | | will give you lasting and memorable family photos for |
| camera is to act like it isn't even there. IGNORE IT. | | | | years to come. |