Family photo tips: relaxed sessions everyone enjoys
Family photos do not have to be stiff and stressful. Learn how to plan, pose and keep kids engaged for a session the whole family enjoys.
The best family photos show how a family actually interacts: hugs, tickles, piggyback rides and quiet moments. A few smart choices make that much easier.
Plan the timing
Book around nap times and meals, and choose golden hour for soft light and cooler temperatures. Keep sessions to about an hour; attention spans run out quickly.
Coordinate, do not match
Choose a color palette of two or three complementary tones instead of identical outfits. Avoid big logos and neon colors.
Start with the classic, then play
Get the posed group shot first while everyone is fresh. Then move into games and activities: walking together, swinging the kids, a family hug pile.
Arrange groups in layers
Place people at different heights: parents standing, kids sitting or held, grandparents seated. Keep faces close together.
Individual combinations
Take each parent with each child, siblings together and grandparents with grandchildren. These photos often become the most treasured.
Settings
Shoot at f/4 to f/5.6 for groups so everyone is sharp, and keep the shutter at 1/250 or faster for wiggly kids.
Next: How to photograph kids: patience, play and fast shutter speeds
