1)   Do Have Fun! Let your guard down.

Ultimately, your best smiles and your truest selves will shine through when everyone is having fun. Although, portraits are by nature more staged than candid shots, you should still remember to be yourself and laugh.

Let kids be kids. If they are worried about what they are supposed to do or how they are supposed to look or smile then the portrait will seem very unnatural. Don’t be afraid to be a little goofy if that will get a genuine giggle.

 

2)   Do pick a setting where you are all comfortable

Does your family enjoy the outdoors, being in the woods or on the lake? These could all be great options. If on the other hand the sight of even a ladybug traumatizes your child then let’s find a more comfortable setting. Perhaps, you want to consider a photo shoot in your home or maybe the child’s favorite playground.

 

3)   Do tell a story

There are any numbers of ways to let your family’s story shine through in photographs. A few ideas: Include your favorite family pastime. Sports fans? Everyone can don his or her favorite player’s jersey. Baking? Don’t be afraid to get a little messy and take your pictures while making Christmas cookies. Reading or playing board games? Let your books or games be your backdrop.

Is your faith an important aspect of your family? Include items that show this. For Christmas, maybe you opt for a Nativity scene backdrop instead of a generic wintery background.

 

Maybe the story is more reminiscent. You can include loved ones who have passed away by having a family member hold a framed portrait of him or her, or have your family gather at your loved one’s tombstone.

 

4)   Don’t forget to include your pets

Fido is more than man’s best friend. He helps entertain the kids by playing fetch for hours; he is always there lending an ear to the frustrations of your day, and don’t forget those goofy looks that always make you laugh. A family photo without your dog, cat or even a goldfish may seem lonely.

Pets can also bring character to your portraits and help calm any nerves someone may have about having their photo taken.

If your not certain how a pet will behave in the photographs you can always take some with the pet and some without. If your want to include the pet on your Christmas card maybe a separate photo will do the trick.

 

5)   Don’t clash

Of course you want everyone to look nice when you get your family photo taken so keep in mind some basic style tips.

 

Solid colors are best. Generally dark is good, but don’t be afraid to have splashes of complimentary colors. Stick to a similar color pallet; shades of the same color bring variety while still tying in together. Generally black is better than white for lighting and it is more slimming. Avoid stripes, busy patterns and large logos, which typically only distract from the people in the photograph. Plaid tends to be the one exception if you are going for a casual, country or outdoor portrait. However, you’ll still want to stick to a similar color pallet and pattern of plaid.

 

Your outfits should match the sentiment. If you want to have an outdoor autumn shoot then you probably will want to avoid suits and ties; opt for nice jeans instead. If black tie is what you’re going for then an indoor setting may be more appropriate. These are not hard and fast rules but considerations.

 

6)   Don’t be rigid

This ties in with the first tip of having fun. Your mother always told you to stop slouching and stand up straight. Well, she may have only had it half right. However, it is worth specifying that your posture will say a lot.

 

Yes, it looks nice when you’re not slouching, but don’t forget that your family members are not robots. Opt for natural poses such as: a hand on the hip, a slight bend at the knee or a thumb hooked on a belt loop. Along that same line don’t be afraid to show a little affection. Hold your husband’s hand, snuggle your kids or blow someone a kiss.

Just as important as how you stand or sit is where you’re posed. Having everyone in one straight line will look very rigid. Perhaps, only one step better is the fallback of mom and dad sitting in front with the kids standing to their left, right and behind.

 

The important thing is to stagger where people’s heads are located. Of course you want to see everyone’s face, but people can and should be at various levels. Sitting in a chair or on the ground, someone standing or a toddler on someone’s shoulders are all good ways to bring depth to your photograph.

 

For more information on scheduling your family portrait session contact me directly: eternityboundmedia@gmail.com