Booking a familieshoot often feels like one of those things you desperately want to do but also kind of dread because of the logistics involved. We all want those beautiful, framed photos on the wall that make us look like we've totally got our lives together, but the road to getting there can feel a bit like herding cats. Between picking the right outfits, making sure the kids aren't melting down, and hoping the weather actually cooperates, there's a lot of pressure to make everything perfect.
The thing is, the best photos usually happen when you stop trying to be perfect and just let your family be, well, your family. If you're staring down the calendar at an upcoming session, here are some thoughts on how to actually enjoy the process and come away with images you'll actually want to look at for the next twenty years.
Forget the Idea of a Perfect Family
We've all seen those Pinterest boards where everyone is wearing pristine white linen and standing on a beach with perfectly windswept hair. While those are lovely, they might not actually represent your life. If your kids are the type to run around and get grass stains on their knees within five minutes of leaving the house, trying to force them into a stiff, formal setting is just going to stress everyone out.
A successful familieshoot is one where the personalities of each family member actually shine through. If your toddler has a "signature" grumpy face or your teenager is currently in a phase where they only want to wear black, try to lean into it a little. Sure, you want everyone to look their best, but you also want to recognize the people in the photos. Ten years from now, you won't remember that your son's shirt was slightly untucked, but you will remember the way he laughed when his dad swung him around.
Picking the Right Location and Vibe
Where you decide to have your familieshoot sets the tone for the whole day. Some people love the controlled environment of a studio. It's consistent, you don't have to worry about the wind ruining your hair, and the lighting is always exactly where it needs to be. Studios are great for classic portraits and can feel a bit more "high fashion" if that's your thing.
On the other hand, lifestyle photography—usually done in your own home or at an outdoor location like a park or an urban alleyway—tends to feel a bit more relaxed. Doing a shoot at home is underrated. It's where your kids feel most comfortable, and it captures your real life. You're surrounded by your own things, your own light, and your own memories. If you choose an outdoor spot, think about somewhere that has some meaning to you. Is there a park you go to every Sunday? A beach where you spent the summer? Those connections make the final photos feel much more personal.
The Great Outfit Debate
Deciding what to wear for a familieshoot is usually the part that causes the most late-night Googling. The old-school rule used to be that everyone had to match—think everyone in jeans and white t-shirts. Please, for the love of all things aesthetic, don't do that. It looks a bit dated and takes away from everyone's individuality.
Instead, think about coordinating rather than matching. Pick a color palette with three or four colors that look good together and mix them up. Give one person a subtle pattern, another a solid color, and someone else a bit of texture like a knit sweater or denim. You want to look like you belong together, not like you're part of a uniformed choir. Also, consider the environment. If you're going to be in a lush green park, maybe avoid bright green clothes so you don't blend into the bushes. Warm tones like rust, mustard, or navy usually photograph beautifully in almost any setting.
Most importantly, make sure everyone is comfortable. If your daughter hates dresses, don't force her into one. If your husband feels ridiculous in a bow tie, he's going to look stiff in the photos. Comfortable people take much better pictures than people who are constantly adjusting their collars or worrying about a skirt that's too short.
Timing Is Everything
If you're doing an outdoor familieshoot, you've probably heard photographers talk about "golden hour." This is that magical time just before sunset when the light is soft, warm, and glowy. It makes everyone look amazing and avoids those harsh shadows under the eyes that you get at noon.
However, if you have very young children, golden hour might also be "witching hour." If your toddler usually has a meltdown at 6:00 PM, trying to do a sunset shoot is a recipe for disaster. In that case, it's much better to prioritize the kids' moods over the perfect lighting. A morning shoot after a good breakfast can work wonders. A good photographer can find shade or work with the light at different times of the day, but they can't fix a kid who is overtired and hungry.
Keeping the Energy High (and the Stress Low)
On the day of the familieshoot, your main job isn't to make sure the kids behave; it's to make sure you stay relaxed. Kids are like little sponges—if they feel you getting tense because they aren't looking at the camera, they're going to shut down or start acting out.
Try to treat the session like a fun family outing. Bring snacks (the non-messy kind!), bring a favorite toy, and be ready to be silly. Some of the best shots come from the moments between the poses—when you're walking from one spot to another or when someone tells a bad joke and everyone actually laughs. If the kids start running around, let them. Let the photographer capture them being wild. Those "in-between" moments are often the ones that feel the most genuine.
And honestly? Don't be afraid of a little bribery. Whether it's a trip to the ice cream shop afterward or a few extra minutes of screen time, having a little "reward" waiting at the end can help keep everyone motivated when their patience starts to wear thin.
Why Candid Moments Win Every Time
While it's nice to have at least one photo where everyone is looking at the lens and smiling, don't make that the whole goal. The most moving photos are usually the ones where you are interacting with each other. Look at your kids, look at your partner, whisper something funny in someone's ear.
When you look back at these photos in twenty years, you won't be looking to see if everyone's hair was perfectly in place. You'll be looking for the way your toddler held your hand or the way your partner looked at you when you were laughing. A familieshoot is about documenting a specific chapter of your life. Life is messy, loud, and chaotic, and your photos should reflect that beauty.
Working With Your Photographer
The relationship you have with your photographer matters more than you might think. Before you book your familieshoot, take a good look at their portfolio. Every photographer has a different style—some are very "bright and airy," others are "dark and moody," and some are very "documentary" (meaning they don't pose you at all).
Make sure you like their specific vibe before you hire them. Once you've booked, talk to them! Tell them about your family's quirks. If your youngest is super shy, let the photographer know so they can take a slower approach. If you have a specific "good side" or something you're self-conscious about, just say it. They're professionals, and they want you to love the results just as much as you do.
Don't Let the Photos Sit on a Hard Drive
Once the familieshoot is over and you get that beautiful gallery back, please, do something with them. It's so easy to just post one to Instagram and then let the rest sit in a digital folder forever.
Print your photos. Whether it's a big canvas for the living room, a high-quality photo book, or just some 4x6 prints to slip into frames around the house, there's something different about seeing your family in physical form. It turns a digital file into a family heirloom. Plus, kids love seeing photos of themselves on the walls; it gives them a sense of belonging and shows them how much they are loved.
At the end of the day, a familieshoot is just a snapshot in time. It doesn't have to be a high-stakes event. If you go into it with a relaxed attitude, some decent outfits, and a willingness to be a little silly, you'll end up with photos that you'll cherish long after the kids have grown up and moved out. Just breathe, have fun, and let the photographer handle the rest.