Fairport NY Family Photographers

In our opinion, taking family portraits when your kids are still young is important. A lot of the time, we’ll come right to you to capture candid pictures of your family right from the comfort of home. Taking family pictures at home can create a relaxed atmosphere, which in turn creates authentic interactions between family members.

But, we often get a lot of questions about it. So we thought we’d share a few things that we find help.

Here are 4 effective tips for taking family pictures at home:

1) Choose the Right Time of Day for Family Portraits

Timing is everything when working with young kids. Plan your portrait session around your kids schedule if possible. Believe it or not, if your child is happiest in the early morning - that’s a great time for the best lighting for portraits as well, so it’s a win-win! (And you can always take a nap with them afterwards, right?)

2) Set the Stage for Sucess Without the Stress

Before your family pictures begin, aim to make your home feel inviting and mostly clutter-free. And I do mean mostly - we’re moms too, so we get that life with kids isn’t spotless! Don’t stress about making things picture perfect. The focus is on your family, not your floors.

Help your kids feel comfortable by involving them in the prep. Let them choose a favorite toy or book to bring into the family session. This gives them a sense of ownership and can make a big difference in helping them relax in front of the camera. You can also offer a couple of outfit options that fit the color palette you’ve chosen and let them pick their favorite. When kids feel good in what they’re wearing, it shows in the photos!

3) Embrace Playfulness and Trust

Kids are often more engaged in their family pictures when they’re allowed to move around and play. So let’s lean into that idea and encourage play during the family session. Let them run around in the yard, swing or explore. These candid moments while playing often allow for some treasured family photos!

And while it might be tempting as a parent to direct and force them to stand still for a family picture, trust your family photographer to lead that charge. Our job is to keep the mood light, using games or songs or goofy faces, so that we can capture the kinds of family pictures you really want.

4) Take a Break & Have a Plan

Kids can go from perfectly pleasant to anxious and upset in a matter of seconds. Be prepared to take breaks with snacks, books and calming activities to help them reset when they need it!

And while it’s not ideal, there are times when things just don’t go as planned. So let’s have a plan B ready. It might be moving to another space in the home, or an outfit change, or even the promise of ice cream for dinner. Flexibility and patience in these situations help keep everyone’s mood positive.

Capturing family pictures at home can celebrate the unique personality of your family, especially when kids are involved. By embracing spontaneity and keeping the atmosphere relaxed, you can create beautiful memories that you will cherish for years to come.