As a photographer, I’ve noticed that there are a lot of families who don’t have ANY family portraits. It could be that mum finds it overwhelming to think of organising a photoshoot, or that the kids are older, and who wants to have grumpy and moaning teens?
We’re coming up to summer, Christmas & holiday time… a time we cherish and want to celebrate our family. My own family has a tradition every year where we take our family portrait in front of our home.
We've been taking these kind of photographs the past 8 years and I like to see how our family and kids have grown and changed. I’m sharing my tips on how to take your own family photograph so that you can have something fun to use on your Facebook timeline or share with your friends on Instagram.
Here are my top tips to capture your own family portrait while being in the photo too:
You could use these tips to get your photo when you’re on a family holiday, when you’re celebrating something special or just because we are grateful for the people in our lives but don’t always say ‘I love you’.
Do it at a time everyone is happy, fed and rested. If small kids are not happy, try bribe them with their favorite toy/ pizza/ McDonalds/ whatever usually works. For older kids…….. I’m not sure….. tell them it’ll be over quick. Plus they owe you for being mum’s taxi or for something nice for mum. Promise not to tag them on Facebook ;-)
Don't set your expectations too high. If you are looking for something professionally crafted you'll need to get a pro photographer. If you aim for a series of more candid photographs, you'll have something fun to remember your family by as it is at this point in time. These are by no means professional family photography (go here if you’re after a family portrait session), but I believe it's important to document your family and to take photographs when everyone is together.
Arm yourself with patience and a few deep breaths. And perhaps a few sips of wine. ;-P
Take more than one. If you're trying to take a photograph of more than 2 people, it's very likely that someone's eyes will be closed in one photograph, another photograph you might be mid expression or even running between your chosen spot and pressing the timer on the camera. Take a series of photographs, upload the best ones to Facebook and call it a success. Getting the entire family into one picture is TOUGH.
Take your photos when you're all dressed for a special occasion and heading out the door. But make sure you’re early so you don’t run late.
Only spend five to ten minutes. Anymore time and your subjects will get grumpy.
Take yearly photos with something being the same, like a family portrait by the Christmas tree. Very dear friends of mine, celebrate their anniversary each year by taking a couples photograph in front of a different church. Another set of friends, is from a big family, and every year at Christmas lunch, they line their party of 24 plus in a long line to take their photo. How special?!
An average/ bad photo is better than NO photo. I’ll admit, the phone photographs are not something that I’ll necessarily print and frame for my home, but any photo is better than no photo. I update these on Facebook every year and it’s a fun way for family and friends to see how we’re doing.
Use a tripod and some kind of trigger system on your camera. (I position my iPhone on a tripod and press the timer from my iWatch. One of THE. BEST. features ever!) If you don’t have a small tripod, prop your phone up using your handbag, a big rock, what ever you can find that’s the right size. But be careful.
If you don't have a trigger for your camera, you'll have to set your camera to timer, get everyone in position and then one person runs back and forth between shots pressing the button and getting back into position in 5 seconds ;-) OR if you’re friends with your neighbour, ask them for a quick hand or stop someone walking their dog.
Have fun - if it causes any stress, find another way to make it happen. Your family is most certainly NOT going to cooperate if they feel like its not something fun to do or if they don’t get anything out of it.
Tickle attack! If the kids are young, it's the quickest way to get everyone laughing and smiling.
Tag me on Instagram /Facebook (I’m @yellowlabpetphoto) and let me know if you used these tips and managed to get your shot!
Portraits are important.
I’ve made it a priority to get my own family in front of a pro’s lens. These are some of the sneak peeks I’ve received from Kate so far. So that I too, can have beautiful family portraits on the wall in my home.