- Lightroom Presets
- Best Sellers
- Mobile Presets
-
Photoshop
-
Learn
-
Support
-
Install
- Blog
Family portrait sessions can be very nerve-wracking for photographers - especially during the busy Fall season (Fall mini-sessions, anyone?). They can be A LOT of fun if you have a good plan and a nightmare if you don't. But despite the stress (or potential stress), I still love photographing families and do it quite often.
If you are new to family portrait photography, I have put together several tips that will help guide you through your family photo sessions successfully.
In addition, I have also included a short video on editing family photos in Lightroom using presets from the Pretty Film Bohemian (retired), which is most similar to the Nostalgic Evolution Collection available in the store now. You won't want to miss this one!
Your clients will likely be looking for guidance from you long before their actual photoshoot. This is the perfect opportunity to help them choose what to wear. This is important because the outfit choice can often make or break the photo shoot. Some clients will be 100% on board with your ideas, while others will have ideas of their own.
Part of being confident is being sure to speak up about the things you have experience with or knowledge about that will affect the photoshoot. Some things you might want to speak up about include lighting, locations, and choosing flattering colors that don’t contribute to color cast issues on their skin.
I always let clients know that bright pink and neon colors often cast color onto the skin and can ruin a photo. I also let them know that large logos will keep the images from being timeless. It is also a good idea to know if your shots will be standing or sitting, so you can advise the ladies about skirt or dress length.
So often, clients are concerned about their children's behavior. It is a good idea to let clients know NOT to “prep” their kids by telling them they have to look at the camera and smile. Sometimes kids show up to the session upset and already dreading looking at you. I personally like the candid type shots the best, and sometimes that requires your subjects to not look at the camera!
Be sure to let parents know that their kids behavior is fine. Although sometimes the kids are out of control, as long as you are getting the shots you need, reassure mom and dad that they don’t need to reprimand the kids. When I run into these situations, I am constantly telling the parents “they are fine” to put them at ease!
Once the session starts I often tell families to just walk over to a spot to “get ready”. I will mention that I am adjusting the camera and getting the light right. Many times though, I will actually be taking photos. The more unaware of the camera the families are, the more relaxed they will be.
Next, I begin giving the family a series of instructions and am sure to tell them they do NOT have to look at me! I have noticed if I give the family a short list of directions, they tend to relax somewhere in the middle of it. I say things like “walk over to that tree, turn around, pick up the kids, swing them around twice, and then walk back towards me.
When I start taking overhead shots of the family sitting on the ground, I use directions like “make a dog pile, tickle mommy, everyone sneeze” or other silly things to make the kids laugh. I often tell mom and dad to look at one another then look at the kids. Then I will shout look at me, and they all will, because I have not been telling them to say cheese for an hour!
For more information on Family Photo Posing check out our awesome Family Session Posing guide here.
Bonus Tip! When I shoot families, I try not to worry about limbs and such being cut off when we are doing the sitting together or shots from above. As long as everyone in the family is in the photo, a foot or arm out of the frame is ok!
Also, I always make sure to take some family photos from further away as well so the family has both to choose from. I also don’t automatically delete out of focus shots when shooting the up close “piled up” shots, and honestly sometimes those end up being favorites.
Sometimes you will have to let go of the strict ideas about how the family photo shoot should go and just photograph what you are presented with.
Having a plan is a great way to help you meet your photography client's expectations, but sometimes it just won’t work out quite like you planned.
Don’t get overwhelmed. Roll with the punches and keep shooting - you will be glad you did. Is the child picking their nose or lifting up his/her clothes to pee in a bush? Is Dad falling out of the tree? These are some of the unexpected shots that you and your family clients will enjoy and laugh about for years to come!
Coordinated outfits almost always photograph better than matching outfits. Encourage families to choose colors that complement one another without looking identical. Soft neutrals, earth tones, denim, and textured fabrics tend to photograph beautifully and help keep the focus on the people rather than the clothing.
It's also helpful to remind clients that comfort matters. If someone feels uncomfortable in what they're wearing, it will often show in the final images. A relaxed family will always photograph better than a perfectly styled one. Inspired by common guidance throughout family-photography education and Lightroom Presets' own family-session articles.
For most families, 45–60 minutes is the sweet spot. It's long enough to capture a variety of poses, candid moments, and individual portraits without exhausting young children.
If you're photographing multiple generations or shooting at several locations, you may need additional time. The goal isn't to keep shooting longer—it's to keep the session moving and engaging from start to finish.
The best lens depends on the type of story you're trying to tell.
A 35mm lens is great for capturing families within their environment and creating a more documentary feel. A 50mm offers versatility for nearly any family session. An 85mm creates beautiful background blur and flattering portraits. Many family photographers use a combination of these focal lengths throughout a session. Similar lens choices are discussed in family-photography education focused on storytelling and environmental portraits.
The secret is to stop expecting them to act like adults.
Instead of constantly asking children to smile at the camera, create opportunities for them to play, explore, and interact with their family. Ask them to race to a tree, tell a silly joke, give Mom a giant hug, or whisper a secret to Dad.
Children are usually at their best when they're engaged in an activity rather than being asked to sit still.
This happens at almost every family session at some point.
When children become restless, shift your focus from perfect poses to genuine connection. Some of the most meaningful images happen during the in-between moments like a child hiding behind Mom's leg, a spontaneous laugh, or a parent comforting a tired toddler.
Rather than fighting the situation, work with it. Families often end up loving those authentic moments even more than the perfectly posed portraits.
There isn't one perfect setting for every situation, but a few starting points can help.
For outdoor portraits, many photographers work between f/2.8 and f/4 to create separation from the background while keeping subjects sharp.
For larger family groups, consider stopping down to f/5.6 or f/8 so everyone remains in focus.
Most importantly, use a shutter speed fast enough to freeze movement. Children rarely stand still for long, and sharp expressions will always matter more than technical perfection. Maintaining focus across group portraits is a recurring theme in family-photography instruction.
The hour before sunset is a favorite among photographers because the light is soft, flattering, and warm.
That said, the best time is often when young children are happiest. A family session scheduled around nap times and meal times will usually produce stronger images than one scheduled solely for ideal lighting.
Great light helps, but happy kids help even more.
There isn't a magic number.
A strong gallery should tell the complete story of the session. Instead of focusing on quantity, focus on variety. Include full-family portraits, sibling interactions, parent-child moments, individual portraits, and candid images that showcase personality and connection.
If every image serves a purpose, clients will value the gallery regardless of the final image count.
Natural family photos start with connection.
Instead of telling families exactly where to place their hands, give them something to do. Ask them to walk together, talk about their favorite vacation, cuddle up, or play with the kids.
The more attention families give to each other instead of the camera, the more authentic the final images will feel. Creating connection rather than rigid posing is a major theme across family-session and posing guidance.
The best family photography presets enhance the emotion of the image without distracting from it.
Look for presets that produce natural skin tones, consistent color, and a cohesive look across the entire gallery. Family sessions often include a mix of lighting situations, so a preset should serve as a starting point that helps create consistency while still allowing for individual adjustments when needed. Consistency across large family galleries is one of the primary benefits photographers cite when using presets in their workflow.
We recommend the NATURA Evolution Preset Collection or AI Portrait Pro for family sessions!
Do you have any questions about our Family Photo Session Tips or any tips of your own that you would like to share? Just leave us a comment below - we would LOVE to hear from you! And PLEASE SHARE this post using the social sharing buttons (we really appreciate it)!
Comments