Old Friends, New Family Portraits
One of my favourite parts of my job is getting to capture moments for the people I care about most. A family portrait session with an old friend is enough to make me smile for a week. Recently, I had to opportunity to take some family portraits for one of my oldest friends Doug, his wife Heather, and their little boy Logan— all before baby number two arrives (can’t wait for that newborn shoot)! This gives me the opportunity to talk about how I approach family pictures, and what’s most important to make your next family photo one to remember.
Doug, Heather, and Logan
It’s All About Naps
And meal time--but mostly it’s all about naps. We book a time based on your youngest child’s schedule. So, when is the right time for a family photoshoot? The ideal time for your family photoshoot is after a nap. Your child wakes up from nap time with a ton of happy energy. Some kids are quick to tears when they need a nap… most kids are quick to tears when they need a nap. Let’s make this easy, not hard. Bring their favourite (least messy) snacks, and make sure you’ve had enough caffeine.
It’s Not a Photoshoot, It’s a Play Date with a Camera
The most important thing to remember about family photos is that it’s all about your kids. You and I both know how to fake a smile if we need to-- kids not so much. Let’s make this fun. This is where my old camp counselor days come in. We do things they like. They play with you, the camera becomes a game-- sometimes they even get to tell you to do silly things! Let’s make it fun, easy, and a memory all on its own.
Where to Take Your Family Pictures
For Doug, the three of us took Logan to a park. Parks, walks in the woods, your backyard, these are all the best places for amazing family portraits. A walk down a beautiful trail allows your children to explore, and have fun while still being camera-ready. I have a few favourite locations, but here are some places you’ll want to avoid:
Direct Sunlight.
Cameras are like vampires. Keep them out of the sun! Well, actually we want to keep you out of the sun. The best location is one with lots of shade. Otherwise, I’ll need to bring an assistant to hold a skrim over your heads the entire shoot. No assistant, no matter how good, has the arm strength for that.
2. Distracting Environments
Fairs are awesome! Off-leash dog parks? Bring on the puppers! Not great for a family portrait. We need to keep the “game” of the photoshoot the most exciting part of the day. A walk in a conservation area, your usual park, or backyard have lots of room for fun, without being too much distraction for the kids.
3. Messes
We want the pictures to be fun, but a kid covered in mud or chocolate is probably not your ideal Christmas card. As entertaining as it might be, messy areas or snacks should be avoided. You know your child. If yours is the type to run to the nearest mud pile, maybe the park or backyard is a better choice than a trail.