Making Family Photos Fun: Tips For The Whole Family!

We all know how important family photos are. They capture memories that we will cherish forever. But sometimes, getting the whole family to cooperate can be a challenge. Here are some tips to make family photo time fun for everyone.

Why family photos are important

In a world where we are constantly inundated with images, it’s easy to forget the importance of family photos. But when you take the time to capture your loved ones on film, you’re creating memories that will last a lifetime.

Here are just a few reasons why family photos are so important:

1. They capture a moment in time that can never be replicated.
2. They help us to remember the people we love, even when they’re no longer with us. When we look at old family photos, we can’t help but smile and feel nostalgic.
3. They allow us to see how much our loved ones have changed over the years.

Location: choose a place with meaning

There’s no need to spend hours trawling through Pinterest for the perfect location for your family photos – we’ve got you covered. Just choose a place with meaning and we’ll do the rest.

Whether it’s your childhood home, the place you got engaged or where you take your morning walk with the dog, any location with personal significance will make for beautiful family photos. And what could be more special than that?

So go ahead and pick your favourite spot. We’ll be there to capture all the love and laughter.

Pose: be creative and have fun

I’ve been photographing Pukekohe and South Auckland families for over 14 years, and I can honestly say that the best family photos are the ones where everyone is having a good time.

The best way to get everyone to cooperate is to make it fun. I love to mix in some silly poses alongside traditional ones. You don’t want everyone looking the same and I can guarantee with little kids you always get a genuine smile and laugh right after they’ve pulled a silly face.

Try different combinations of people and different positions to get lots of variety in your family photos. Playing games and having races, or going on a scavenger hunt around your photo location are always great ways to get some natural photos with happy smiles.

Remember the most important thing is to have fun. If you’re not enjoying yourself, it will show in the photos.

Clothing: comfortable and coordinated

Picking clothes can be one of the hardest parts of getting ready for a photoshoot. What happens if your little one really wants to wear their spiderman outfit but that just doesn’t go with the vision you have for your images.

Well, my tip for you here is to help involve the kids in the decision-making. Layout a few different options you’ll be happy with and then let them decide which one is their favourite, take them shopping to buy a new sparkly top to wear, or even have a chat with them about what colours they think would be fun for the whole family to wear. Involving them in the decision-making process before the shoot helps to make the whole event just a bit more enjoyable.

And if at the end of the day, they are absolutely insistent on that Spiderman outfit let them wear it, and then bring along their proper outfit in the car. After a few photos as Spiderman or a princess or whatever they want to be that day, I can generally get them to change into their other outfit for a few photos as well. Even better get the whole family into it and all come dressed as super-heroes for a super fun family photo, and then everyone can get changed.

Props: personalize your photos

Your family is special and unique, so why not have your photos reflect that? Props are a great way to personalise your session and make it truly about you and your family.

I’m a Pukekohe family photographer, and I’ve seen firsthand how props can add that extra something to photos. Whether it’s a favourite toy, a blanket with sentimental value or even just a fun hat or pair of sunglasses, props can help make your photos more meaningful. Perhaps its even dad’s famous junk pile like the photo below.

So don’t be afraid to bring along some props when you have your next family photo session! It’s a great way to add personality and make the photos even more special.

Timing: work around nap times and moods

If you have young kids, trying to schedule a family photo shoot can be a bit of a juggling act. Nap times and moods can seem to change on a whim, making it hard to get everyone together for a photo.

But don’t worry, we’re here to help! Here are our top tips for working around nap times and moods when scheduling your family photoshoot:

1. Schedule your shoot for early morning or late afternoon. This will help ensure that your little ones are well-rested and in good spirits. It’s also when we get the best light for your photos.
2. Have snacks and drinks on hand to keep everyone happy (and hydrated!).
3. Don’t make the photoshoot out to be a big deal. Instead of making it sound like a chore or something the kids have to “behave” for, make it fun. I like to tell my clients to let their kids know that “we are heading to the park to play with Katrina and get some photos done”. This way kids come to the experience in a good mood wanting to play rather than being apprehensive about having to be on their best behaviour.

Remember, getting family photos done can be a fun process if you go into it with the right attitude. Be prepared to have your patience tested (kids love to push those buttons don’t they), but remember to enjoy the moments spent with your loved ones. In the end, you’ll be glad you got the family photo done and will have memories to cherish for years to come.