Whether you are celebrating a family milestone, such as a graduation or an engagement, or are simply looking for ways to make the most of quality time with your kids, there are many reasons as to why you might want to participate in a family photo shoot. However, while there are certainly benefits associated with hiring a professional photographer, you may be looking for an option that is a little more budget-friendly.
If this is the case, why not try your hands at taking the photographs yourself?
With that in mind, here are some simple ways in which you can take the perfect photos at your family photoshoot!
Photo by Gabriel Tovar on Unsplash
Choose the right location. While your family will be the focal point of the photographs, you also need to ensure that you choose an interesting or exciting backdrop for your photos. For example, if you love spending time outdoors, why not head out to the beach when planning your photoshoot instead of staying in your backyard? Alternatively, you could try to take your photographs against a plain and simple background, such as a white wall, for a clean, professional finish.
Try to take candid photographs. While you might need to do a little choreography to ensure that every member of the family is within the frame, try to stray away from overly posed photographs. One way in which you can help your photos feel more natural and candid (even when they are planned) is by ensuring that everybody feels relaxed. Encourage people to talk between shots, tell jokes, and make each other smile. You should also encourage them to take as many ‘silly’ photographs as possible, as this is the easiest way to allow each and every personality to shine. In addition to larger group shots, you should also try to take individual photos of each person.
Keep an eye out for inspiration. If you know you want to take family photographs but aren’t sure what kind of pictures you want at the end of the session, it’s important that you do a little research ahead of time. For example, you could choose to follow a certain theme for your photographs and encourage your family to dress in a certain way. Alternatively, you could use your research to find interesting poses.
Think about lighting. One of the major quality issues that we face when we take photographs on our phones is improper lighting. However, you can combat this by simply being a little smarter when taking photos. Thankfully, there are various guides online that talk you through the process of taking photographs in different types of light. For example, while natural light is great for taking outdoor pictures, you need to ensure the sunlight is not causing the subject of the photograph to squint or cover their eyes.
Try your hand at editing the photographs. Once you have completed your photoshoot, it’s time to try editing the pictures to give them a clean, professional finish. One of the easiest ways to do this is by making the most of the free filters that are available on your phone. For example, a simple black and white filter can often reduce the appearance of blemishes while giving your photographs a clean, professional finish. Alternatively, you could experiment further by figuring out how to blur the background of a picture. This means that you can ensure the person in the photograph is the focal point of the image instead of whatever is happening behind them.
Invest in some photography equipment. While you don’t necessarily need to spend hundreds of dollars sourcing a new camera for your family photo shoot, you may want to invest in some photography accessories that will take your photography session to the next level. For example, if you were taking the photographs on your phone, you could buy a phone tripod that allows you to take pictures from the perfect angle.
Focus on having fun, not the final product. This is perhaps the most crucial step on the list. When participating in the photo shoot, try not to think too much about the end product and instead focus on having fun and spending time with your loved ones. When you are relaxed and comfortable, this will translate into your photography – producing photos that everyone will love and want to display in their homes. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself to get the perfect shot, as even professional photographers will say that the best photographs often happen by accident or without prior prompting.
