Simple Tips for Keeping the FUN in Family Photos

by Kerry B Smith, Photographer

When was the last time you had a family photo taken?  Was one kid screaming and the other running off, while your husband was scowling? Or were you the one behind the lens – never actually a part of the ‘family’ moment because (like me) you are always taking the photos?  Well, here is my first piece of ‘expert advice’: Make time to create visual memories of this time in your life. Memories that say “We were here, we were together, we laughed, we loved, we shared.”  Whether you decide to hire a professional photographer, go to a discount studio, or ask your neighbor/friend/cousin with the nice camera to take your pictures…..make sure you do it. Time flies by when your kids are small (or medium or big.) Before you know it, they have moved on to the next stage.  The perfect time for a family photo is NOW.

First, be prepared.  Choose the time of day that everyone is happiest. Usually, for little ones that is after a nap and a snack or in the morning after breakfast. For older kids, evening is a good idea. But no one knows your family better than you, so your input on the timing of the session is invaluable. Next, choose a great location. If cousin Bob is taking your photos, bring the event outside. Not only is natural light more flattering, but kids are much more comfortable when they are not confined to a small studio space or the formal living room. Another key reason to bring it outside is that a lot of kids get nervous about lighting equipment and bright flashes in their face. So, keep it simple and find a beautiful park, beach, old barn or any other place that is special to you and your family.

The next step in preparing is the one that often gives moms the most trouble…what to wear. My advice to all of my clients is keep it simple and comfortable. That means, if you are a jeans and tee shirt type of family, then rock that denim! You can always fancy it up a little with a button down shirt for the men, or one of my favorite things for my boys is those tee shirts that have a tie appliquéd on them (so cute!!). And for girls, jeans are also great but again go a little ‘nicer’ with the top, or dresses are always a favorite if you have a girly-girl, but let your child’s personality show. Hats, headbands and hair accessories are always a fun touch and can ‘spice up’ an otherwise plain or basic outfit. Now for colors…..my style is more vibrant and playful (which is why I specialize in children and families) so I LOVE color, but it is often somewhat tricky to coordinate colors with a large group. I tell my clients they can go basically 2 ways: 1. Stay in the same color family with everyone (eg. blues/greys/greens or browns/tans/oranges) or 2. They can use rainbow colors  (eg. primaries or pastels.) Then you should lay out everyone’s outfit and step back. If one piece jumps out at you then it will jump out even more so in the picture, and you should probably replace it. Unless, of course, you want that one person to be the center of attention – as in a mom/dad/baby shoot when, let’s face it, it’s all about the baby!  Last wardrobe tip….bring other options with you, ask your photographer’s opinion (we usually have lots of themJ) and figure it out on the fly!

OK, so now that you are ready, what do you do when you get there? Will everyone behave? Will the kids run off in opposite directions and you or your husband lose your cool trying to wrangle everyone in? Well, that’s when you have to remember why you are doing this – because this stage that you are in as a family will not last much longer and soon those rambunctious toddlers will turn into eye-rolling teenagers. So, let whoever is taking the photos follow you around as you do something fun like walking a trail or having a tea party or blowing bubbles. If you have hired a photographer just let them do their thing – they should be able to take it from there.  If you have Cousin Bob behind the lens, have him try to get eyes on the camera every now and then. He can tell his best joke to get the kids laughing (or rolling their eyes, depending on how bad the joke is.) Personally, my favorite photos are the ones where one kid is cracking up laughing, the other one is daydreaming and mom and dad are smiling and looking at their brood with that look on their face of ‘how did I get so lucky’ (or sometimes ‘how did I get to this strange planet!’). You may not get all eyes and smiles on the camera, but that’s OK, that’s you! If, however you REALLY want that classic family portrait, the best way to do it with little ones is a sneak attack. Position them where you want them (or as close as possible) and quickly get their attention on the lens. Speed is the key with little ones, so don’t drag out the ‘sit here and look there’ moments. If you have to take a break to dance (another great photo op) then do that and regroup for the official portrait. But most of all, make it FUN! Be silly, be snuggly, be together!

Now, go and schedule those sessions and start planning! Don’t worry that it won’t be perfect, because the final result will be uniquely and perfectly YOUR FAMILY at this stage.  Just do it, and have fun with it!  You won’t regret it.

Kerry B Smith – local professional photographer and mom to three great kids.

Check out her website: http://www.kbsphoto.com/
Read her blog: http://kerrybsmithphotography.blogspot.com/
Visit her on facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kerry-B-Smith-Photography/187556187930725