I’m not too sure how or why it happened but about two years ago I started taking our own family photos and haven’t really looked back since. These are the things I do every single time that make the process easier and the photos special.
1. use a tripod and your camera’s shooting app or bluetooth remote
It’s easy to get overwhelmed with angles, lighting etc. when you’re out shooting your own family photos. To help add some control to that situation make sure you have a solid tripod (like this one) to get everything nailed down in camera before you start shooting!
pro tip: have your spouse or older kids stand still in the area you want to be aiming for so you can make sure feet/heads/bodies aren’t going to be cut off when you shoot! This also gives you the perfect opportunity to adjust the angle of your camera too.
Once everything is lined up, use your camera’s shooting app or a bluetooth remote (like this one) to take your family’s photos.
pro tip: switch your camera to high drive shooting or continual shooting so that you can just hold down that shutter release button and fire away!
2. get the group photos done first
In reality, you only need to use the tripod and remote for the whole group shots. This is often the MOST stressful part of taking our own family photos because it’s a lot to manage and everyone has to be participating. So do these FIRST and make sure you get the whole family photographed together for at least 2-3 good shots!
pro tip: don’t forget to change the orientation of your camera on the tripod and to move it around a little! Give yourself some variety!
3. give everyone (even little hands!) a turn with the camera
Get your settings where they need to be and pass your camera off to your spouse! Try to give them direction as they shoot (I can tell just by looking at my husband shooting my camera if his angle needs to be changed!).
You’d be surprised at how interested and invested toddlers can be as photographers. Some of my favorite photos of my husband and I were taken by my oldest child when he was just three and a half. Give the camera to the little hands and let them capture your love through their eyes.
pro tip: this likely won’t last long. I have an extremely patient and willing husband and he taps out after about five minutes of trying to take our photos. Get what you can while you can get it! And encourage them to just click click click so that you have tons of options to choose from.
4. get creative in post to bring variety to your images
If your family is anything like mine, you’ll need to just hang out in one spot for your entire photo session. Forget walking around or switching things up. Find some good light and just stay there! It’s easier this way but it also means that your final gallery can be kind of repetitive/same-y.
To help add some variety to your photos, get creative in post! Do some tight crops, use content aware and add in negative space, add in grain and don’t forget to black and white a few of them!
pro tip: if you have multiple good photos from the same set up or pose — use all of them differently! Go in close for some, black and white others and then drag them into photoshop to make the background bigger or change the photos orientation! Mix it up and don’t let the good photos go to waste or get boring.
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