Do you love taking photos with your family?

Looking to get creative for your next photoshoot? Look no further than these five inspiring family portrait ideas! Some are silly, some more artistic, and some classic and traditional. 

1. Take photos in your natural habitat 

Are you looking for something more candid and natural for your family portrait? A great idea is having a photographer capture you and your family doing what you love to do most. Whether this means getting bikes ready for a ride together, playing games, cooking a meal together, spending the day at the beach, or something else, a photographer can capture the spark that makes your family as close as you are. 

Have a family meeting and write a list of the activities your family loves most. Maybe different family members will have different answers, and that’s okay! What matters most is finding an activity that each family member agrees is a favorite for the whole family. Then, a professional photographer can come alongside your family to make magical, true-to-life photos out of your family time.

This is more of a non-traditional take on family portrait photography, but the result is amazing. Looking at the photos, you’ll marvel at how special your time with your family is, even when captured on camera. This serves as a reminder of the value of family, and of making memories and spending time together while sharing the adventure of life.  

2. Have a Sunset Photoshoot 

If your family loves the outdoors, great views, and watching a beautiful sunset, this idea is for you! Instead of taking photos in a studio, why not embrace your love of the great outdoors and have a golden hour photoshoot? Golden hour is the time of day revered by photographers, when the sky is absolutely breathtaking, and the natural light makes for stunning photos. This is the perfect time to get outside with your family for a photoshoot.

When looking for a destination for an outdoor photoshoot, think of your favorite places where you live that have unforgettable views. Whether it’s a mountaintop, a beach, a rooftop patio, or your backyard at home, find a place where you’d want to watch the sunset. This is the perfect spot for your family portraits. 

Photographers are experts at using natural light to their advantage. Taking photos at sunset means that your family will be illuminated perfectly without the use of any artificial light. This gives your family photos an astoundingly natural feel, which is perfect if you love the outdoors.

In terms of posing, trust your photographer! When you’re outside, posing works a little differently from in a studio. But a pro photographer will know just how to work with your family and make everyone feel comfortable and at home. The photographer may give you different prompts and poses to try, and if something doesn’t feel quite right, don’t be afraid to say so. There is no right or wrong way to pose as a family for a photo, but some poses may feel more natural and authentic for you and your family.  

If you want to take this portrait idea to the next level, go on a hiking photoshoot! These photoshoots embody a family’s love for adventure and being outside together. Hiking at golden hour makes for beautiful photos which you can proudly display on your wall at home. Even if you and your family don’t hike often, hiking for photos is a great place to start. You’ll get to enjoy a gorgeous view and spend time together while heading to your destination.

3. Have the Pets Join the Fun

Your pets are part of your family, so why not have them in your family portrait? If you have a dog, cat, a few of both, or even a turtle, include them in your family photo fun! Having your pets in your portrait opens the door to many creative photo ideas – often, though, the pets end up stealing the show!

If you’re going for a more natural, candid look, a photographer can take photos of you and your family playing with your animals at home or outdoors. A photo like this captures a precious family moment with your pets shown as honored members of your family. There’s no better way to show love and affection to your pets than showing them off to the whole world in great photos! 

Sometimes, of course, pets can be hard to control, and this makes getting photos of them a tricky task. However, if you can get your frisky pup or skittish cat to calm down, the result will be well worth it. If this means bringing a few extra treats or toys with you, it’s worth the effort. Pets may not cooperate quite as well as humans, but they’re so cute it’s impossible to blame them!

4. Show Your Shadows

There’s no denying that silhouettes are really cool. They’re a little dramatic and mysterious, but they’re also a creative way to capture your family on camera. A photographer can get work with natural or artificial light to create a unique depiction of you and your family’s silhouettes. This makes a truly special family portrait with some extra artistic flair. 

Typically, silhouette photos look best outside in natural light. This is where golden hour comes in once again. The sunset can create a natural backlighting effect, making striking silhouettes on camera. This is a great organic way to create silhouettes, and it looks absolutely beautiful. 

5. Do a Shoot in Your Favorite Season 

Does your family love summer at the beach, fall at the orchard, winter by the fireplace, or spring in a field of flowers? If so, this idea is for you. Planning portraits based around your family’s favorite season sets the stage for photos that you will be eager to hang on your wall at home.  

Discuss with your family and come to a consensus on the best time of year. This is the time when everyone loves to do their favorite family activities together. These activities can even be depicted in the photos! Here’s some ideas for how to accomplish this:

Summer:

• Photos at the beach
•  A poolside photoshoot
•  Family portraits by the car on a road trip
• Candid photos of a family soccer game in the yard

Fall:

• Photos at an apple orchard
• Halloween costume portraits
• Outdoor photos in a spot with colorful leaves all around
•  A cozy indoor photoshoot with cider and doughnuts

Winter:

• Photos outside in the snow
•  Indoor family portraits around a fireplace
•  Candid photos around the Christmas tree

Spring:

• Photos in a flower-filled field
• Family portraits beside budding trees 
• Getting the family in coordinated outfits outside your house

These seasonal ideas are a great start to a perfect family portrait. A personalized backdrop such as your family’s favorite in-season activity makes the portrait even better.

Go For It!

Now that you’ve gotten some inspiration, it’s time to book a session! Look for photographers in your area and you’re likely to find many to choose from. Explore each photographer’s website, paying attention to their style to see if it fits you and your family. Once you find one you love, check to make sure the price is within your budget. If so, you’re ready to go! 

Planning a family portrait session is incredibly easy, and the session itself will be a fun experience for your whole family!

Sources:

https://www.format.com/magazine/resources/photography/family-portrait-ideas

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/family-halloween-costumes_n_57e18135e4b08cb14098614e

https://expertphotography.com/winter-photography-ideas/