Over the years as a family portrait photographer, I have learned what images I love the most. Why I love the images I choose so much is because of the emotion it makes me feel. It's easy to have a camera and tell others to stand together and take a shot but it's harder to know how to highlight the connection between those people. I have put a few tips together that will help create a space where your heart will burst with love and joy during your session with how I see certain events during a session and ways I work through certain challenges so you can feel confident I will showcase your family well!
Be prepared for emotions
My goal for each family portrait session is to have them filled with laughter and smiles. Is that yours as well? After photographing so many families and being around children most of my life, it is a little unrealistic to expect that there won't be some meltdowns.
I'm here to tell you it's ok! I am unfazed by it and if you walk into a session knowing it may happen, it will help keep the frustration down and help relax the children.
Social Media has made it difficult to only expect perfectly curated images where everyone is smiling and cooperating, but that isn't how life goes 100% of the time.
I love photographing family moments because sometimes the sweetest moments can be parents comforting a child when crying or when everyone is laughing together. I build my sessions in such a way to help minimize negative reactions but they can't always be avoided. I make space so that high-energy kids can play and highlight this part of their personality by giving them time to explore, asking them what they would like to do or if they can find the best leaf, etc.
If there is a meltdown, I will let a parent and that child have a moment and if it's ok with you, I may photograph that moment or photograph other members of the family until you are both ready. You never know it may be an image you love as they become adults and maybe share with a future spouse.
Connection Over Perfection
When you have a family portrait session with me, I want you to focus on spending time with your family. You don't have to look at the camera the whole time to get a great connection and sometimes that can happen in images without looking more than you may think.
Think about moments you love and want to remember, like moving hair out of your daughter's face or your little one telling you a story you've heard a thousand times. Do they have a toy that they have to take everywhere with them? Let them play with it in a few images.
Let your unique family personality out
It is all the rage right now and I know many photographers who curate sessions with stylized outfits to keep with their brand's aesthetic, but I want to focus on you. What style of outfits makes you feel the best? Does everyone in the family like that style as well? That is why I tell my clients to pick a color scheme (one pop of color, a complementary color, and a neutral) so that everyone can find something that fits their style.
This tip is probably where you can get the best heart-bursting family portraits. Are you a musical family? Why not bring your instruments (or have an in-home session) and have a family sing-along? Do you have little explorers? I'd love to have some time during the session to highlight that part of your family! Letting each person's personality shine really tells the story of your unique family and will bring out those heart-bursting moments.
How did you like my 3 top tips for heart-bursting family portraits?
What do you think about these tips? How do they make you feel? Do they help ease your mind about a family portrait session? How about a new perspective on what you'd like for your family's images? If you would like a heart-bursting family portrait session with me click on the options be below.
If you'd love to know more about how to work with me you can head to this blog or follow me on IG @biancajophotography where I can show more of how I work with my families.
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