Have you noticed when walking into your grandparent’s home that there are walls of family photos? Every coffee table and bench space has photos of their great-grandchildren, grandchildren, grown children, or their own wedding and childhood pics. When a child becomes an adult, they visit home and reflect on priceless memories through family photos. Emotion, love, and choice surrounds are the unchanging theme in every photo.

Making the time and effort to plan professional family photos is heart-warming, especially in the future years. It is not always easy, but it is 100% rewarding. Lifetime memories are never forgotten when captured on camera. Family photos are an important legacy to be viewed by new family members, who were not yet born at the time, or were too little to remember.

Family photos can be messy if they are not organized beforehand. I understand how this can bring some stress to the families on the day. Unsure who is next, where to stand, what to do with their hands. This could be overwhelming for some. As a professional photographer, my job is to be always organized. So, rest assured I will be able to adjust to your needs as required. I know how fun and spontaneous working with young families can be. Some of the best family photos are those that seize unexpected, golden moments. Don’t be stressing that your children be on their best behavior for the photographer. Natural, genuine personalities should be portrayed, it is what makes a family unique and loveable.

If you would like to connect with me to photograph your family session, I would be honored. Click here to reach out

7 helpful tips on how to plan your family photos:

1. Plan the Location

Where do you envisage your family photos? Beach, Country, Woods, Mountains, or simply at home. There are many options and depending on the age of your children, you may want to keep it super easy at home. We can utilize personal photos in their favorite place to play with their well-loved toys and pets. Plan backdrops with a white sheet in the backyard. Having everything you need at your fingertips in your own home can be an advantage for family photos. However, you still need to plan for the photo shoot.

I like to encourage a list that outlines where in your home you want photos and what specific toys, memorabilia, etc you like to include. Whatever location you choose, if your family is there it will be amazing, and I will be sure to capture the beauty of your family and surroundings.

2. Plan the best time

If you have young children that are still sleeping throughout the day, then please take this into consideration. Being awake, active, and happy is the goal! The photographer will always work in with your best times, so keep your routine as much as possible. Trying to change for an early nap when they usually don’t sleep until the afternoon will only cause the family stress.

3. Plan a list

I touched on this in locations but truly a list is always a lifesaver. Do you want specific individual, sibling, couple, everything, or purely group photos? A list will ensure you didn’t miss the idea you had about Dad and daughter pics, or Mum and son pics etc.

4. Plan the outfits

Think about your outfits as a whole family together in the family photos. Do they clash or balance beautifully? Believe me, it matters! I suggest sticking to neutral color schemes. Plain solid clothing is better than words, patterns, and bold colors. Also, this one is very important, if you are at a destination location, PLEASE bring changes of clothes for everyone and a couple for young ones. You just never know when the mess is going to happen!

5. Plan toys and rewards

Nothing says ‘cheese’ like the joy of a reward or your favorite toy in your arms. Some form of comfort and security is always helpful to bring out the best in the family smiles.

This is a day to be enjoyed. Spending valuable time together as a family, with the goal of timeless photos should be a wonderful, fun, and adventurous memory.

6. Authentic family photos

Be okay not posing and getting ‘picture-perfect family photos! We are going to make them perfect to you and your family, capturing your family’s personalities and real-life together! Just relax, be free and be yourselves and let me do the work! I love photography and I love people. The family photos will look amazing just wait and see!!

7. Have FUN!

Remember that this is your beloved family; hug, squeeze and smile at each other.

Bonus tips and reminders!

Have you lost someone very special to you? Bring framed pictures, or special memorabilia, and let's include some precious family photos with them.
Create different family combinations that are important for you.
Make sure to have your pets as part of family photos.

I delight in everything photography! I would be honored to photograph your family. As a traveling professional photographer, I can help plan destination family photos. Whatever your ideas for family photos, I will love to work with you to accomplish your dream. Please click the link and let’s get chatting!