Young Children And Family Portraits: Tips For Making Picture Day Go More Smoothly
The best part about getting family photos is that they can document the stages of your life. You don't want some years to be missing from your walls or albums because getting photos was too challenging. A common time for families to miss getting photos is when their children are young. It's hard to wrangle the kids and keep everyone happy for a photo session, and some parents choose to skip the stress.
Instead of taking a hard pass, though, you can try these tips for a successful family photo day, even with the unpredictable kids in tow.
Plan for the right time of day.
Your photographer probably likes to take photos in the evening for the best light, but you can have successful photos at any time of day if you have the right setting. Arrange a time after the kids have been fed and when naps are over so you have completely refreshed kids who aren't grumpy because they are hungry.
Go for candid work instead of poses.
Sometimes you have to roll with the punches. It's tough to get a good family shot with everyone looking at the camera and smiling together. Talk to your photographer about getting candid photos or the family playing, laughing, and having fun together. You'll end up with some beautiful true to life shots that don't bring back memories of how Julia wouldn't stop blinking and how Justin couldn't look at the camera. You can fill the quota of sit-and-smile shots with individual portraits, or with a shot of mom and dad smiling as the kids play around them, oblivious to the shot.
Don't be afraid to bring in comfort objects.
If the toddler has a favorite stuffed animal or a blanket that would make picture day easier, your photographer can often find a way to work around it. You can bring these object in and work them into the picture, or a professional can edit them out afterward.
Choose the right setting.
Some areas are just dull for kids. Don't take your photos against an old building or a warehouse. Instead, choose a park, the beach, the woods, or another place where kids can get excited to explore. You'll get more natural reactions and have better opportunities for good candid photos of you and your children together.
For more information, contact a photographer who specializes in family photography, such as Moorman Photographics.