Tara Flannery is a Certified Professional Photographer (CPP) based in The Woodlands and Conroe, TX. Tara Flannery Photography specializes in natural family photos. See more family photos in the gallery. Contact me to book your family session today!
How to Take More Natural Family Photos
Let’s face it, Grandma wants a nice family portrait with everyone smiling and looking at the camera. And maybe Mom really wants one of those too! So, with my family sessions we always have several options of posed family portraits with everyone smiling and looking at the camera. But not all of the images have to be posed. In fact, some of the best images are those that come in between the posed photos. I’ll be there to capture those moments as well. Here are a few ideas for taking more natural family photos at your next family session.
Let the Kids Be Kids
I know that you’ve just spent weeks planning the family outfits and everyone is pressed and brushed and polished. But now is the time to let that go! We will get the posed family photos early in the session. Then we will let the kids be kids and run around, get in the dirt, and play. When we let the kids go, their natural playfulness will take over and we’ll get genuine smiles and laughter. And when you can relax, we’ll get your good smiles too.
Interact with Each Other
Just do what you would normally do with your kids on a Saturday afternoon. Sweet kisses on baby toes, a tickle for the toddlers, or a tease for the older kids. You know what makes your family giggle – so just forget that I’m there and play. Some of the best interaction is when a family gets close and just has a good tickle fest.
Play A Game
I’m not talking board games here but anything from a family song to a duck, duck, goose, or red light/green light will work. We just need something fun to get the kids moving and not thinking about the photos. We’re after genuine interaction and that will come easily with a fun game.
Family Portraits with The Emilio Family
The Emilio family was an absolute delight to photograph. We were able to get some amazing shots of the family smiling and looking at the camera. In fact, Mom said that this image of them all sitting and the littlest one chewing on her necklace was absolutely her favorite. It’s her favorite because it’s an accurate picture of them all. I love that! After we got the posed photos, the family just played together. The photo with kids on mom and dad’s shoulders says it all. They let go of all of the stress of preparations and worry about smiles and just had fun. They let the kids play chicken (like you do in the pool) and they thought it was great fun. I won’t show the very last image of the session, though, because sister had had enough. That one is precious too!
Tara Flannery is a Certified Professional Photographer (CPP) based in The Woodlands and Conroe, TX. Tara Flannery Photography specializes in family portraits. See more family photos in the gallery. Contact me to book your family session today!
