5 Tips for an Easy, Breezy, Family Portrait Session

Family portrait sessions are a great way to get frame-worthy photos while bonding with the entire family. They can be short and sweet, with some sessions lasting as short as 10 minutes, or they can take an entire afternoon. Since most family sessions are done with young children, here are 5 tips to make your session one that's easy and fun for both the kids and adults.

Pick the right time in the season.

Know when you can get the best light especially if you want outdoor photos taken. In the summer, for example, this is early morning or two hours before sunset so you can avoid the heat and harsh summer glare. If you want to shoot in the middle of the day, do it indoors and move out once the summer heat starts to dissipate. This way, the adults can avoid dealing with hot, tired and cranky kids. If you want winter photos taken, you may want to do it during the weekends. Days are shorter in the winter, so you want as much time to shoot in as plenty of daylight as possible.

“Family portrait sessions are a great way to take gorgeous family photos that you can frame and cherish for years to come. Aside from choosing a good photographer, you also want to choose the time, location and even the duration of the shoot to make sure that everyone has a good time while your photos are being taken.”

Do it during peak energy times.

Kids' energy levels tend to go down after lunch, so it is better to pick a shoot in the morning or after they have had their naps in the afternoon. You want to avoid stretching the shoot to a point when the little ones start to get cranky because they're feeling sleepy or tired. Tell the photographer when the best times are so he can plan the shoot around those times. Also, bring energy bars and lots of water if you are shooting away from home to keep everyone energized and hydrated.

Pick an accessible location.

The location is one of the most important things you need to think about during the shoot. Your photographer may ask you for ideas on where to take pictures, so make sure that the place is safe, accessible, and allows you and the kids to move around freely. It is also best to choose a place with a lot of variation within the space so you can quickly move from one area to another to ensure variety in your photos. If you don't want to travel too far, pick spaces in or around the home. Indoor family portraits are a great way to capture candid shots of how you live and capture the nooks and crannies, memorabilia, and other items that are precious to the family.

Pick an activity everyone loves to do.

It takes just 20 to 30 minutes for kids and even adults to get tired of posing for the camera, so think of a fun activity that will distract the kids and give your photographer something interesting to shoot. This is a great opportunity for your photographer to capture candid, fun family photos. When kids are engaged in a game, for example, the adults won't have to coach and prod the kids into posing for the camera.

Family shoots are an excellent opportunity to have fun with the family while getting shots that will last a lifetime. Think of the tips above if you are planning on having your photos taken to make sure that your family portrait session goes off without a hitch.

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