I’ve heard from so many photographers that family photo posing is the worst.

I mean, hands down, hardest thing ever.

You have clients who are (self-proclaimed) awkward AF in front of the camera, stressed out from getting ready, or just straight up don’t wanna be there.

But I’m here to let you know it doesn’t have to be a nightmare.

In fact, some of my favorite sessions are families!

I want you to remember something:

As portrait photographers, we have the privilege of capturing the love, connection and JOY that these families share!

We GET to photograph these people and capture a moment they will never get back.

wow!

Betcha never thought about it like that 😉

Family Photo Posing Tips and Tricks

Connecting the Family

As a photographer, you always want to show the connection between the family, and the love that they share.

When we talk about a connection, literally connect them and have family members touching, holding onto each other, hugging, etc.

The connection might look different in a family with small children, and one who has teen/older children.

Generally, families with younger kids are going to be a little sillier (tickle fight anyone?!). It is generally easier to show connection through hugs, kisses, snuggles, bubble blowing, etc.

That’s not to say that families with older kids can’t have the same fun, interactions. It just might take a little more creativity on the part of the photographer. Have everyone share a joke, get one of the parents to share a story, etc.

Posing for Families at the Session

Everyone Together – generally I want to capture parents and kids together because that’s when kids have the most patience and are the most excited.
Kids Together – still working off the fact that kids are generally in a good mood, we capture the kids together
Mom with Kids/Dad with Kids – Usually these images are more fun/candid, and the focus is on the interaction between everyone.
Each Child Individually – The goal is to quickly rotate through each child, while capturing their individual personalities.
Just Mom and Dad – This is always a big one for me because I want to create some gorgeous, romantic portraits for the parents too!
Dad with the Boys/Mom with the Girls – it’s always nice to be able to capture breakdowns of the boys together/girls together. Definitely make sure to keep a pulse on everyone’s mood to see when the clients have the patience to take more pictures.

Create Candid Moments

A lot of people think that candid, natural moments just happen organically. And then here we come – as bad-ass photographers – to swoop in and capture all this awesomeness with our magical cameras…

Unfortunately, it doesn’t always happen that way.

Generally people are awkward in front of the camera, and it can translate to looking stiff/unnatural on camera.

So it is our job to create a moment and then guide the clients through it to get that genuine, fun image.

Candid photos allow the family to have a “break” and relax between the formal portrait groupings that we listed above.

Don’t worry about capturing the perfect image, these photos are more about having fun, and the interaction between the family.