I’m sure everyone needs some great family photoshoot ideas!
Family photo ideas are highly sought after because everyone needs memorable and affectionate photographs that will be enjoyable to look at years and decades later.
Family shoots may sound like chaotic and energy-draining experiences, but they don’t have to be at all, especially if you’re not looking for a formal portrait with perfect lighting and the obligatory smiley face.
We suggest you try turning this mandatory photo commitment into something much more fun and enjoyable!
Check out our list of family photoshoot tips and tricks! We’ve tried to cover a variety of scenarios – indoors and outdoors, including children of all ages, and we’ve also provided valuable clothing advice for family members.
Read on to find out how to improve your family shooting game!
Family Photo Outfit Ideas
Clothing is very important in portrait photography, especially if you have more than one model. These are our tips on wardrobe choices:
- You don’t have to stick with matching outfits! I mean, your family members don’t have to wear the same clothes or the same colors. Coordinate looks better than simple match. For example, you could ask people to use earth tones and a cool or warm palette. For a bolder look, you can even experiment with complementary colors.
- Avoid aggressive and flashy patterns! Patterns are usually not a good idea in portraits unless you are shooting editorial mode. The focus should be on people and their personalities, not on flashy, distracting clothing.
Family outfits and shooting locations also need to be well coordinated. The same goes for the weather and seasons of the year. Winter family picture ideas should feature different colors than fall or summer family photography.
List of Creative Family Photoshoot Ideas Depending on Location
It doesn’t matter whether you plan to shoot indoors or outdoors, we have you covered.
The following family photoshoot ideas cover a variety of locations, props, and poses.
Outdoor Family Photo Ideas
Personally, I prefer outdoor sessions because it’s easy to move around and shoot from multiple perspectives. You can’t completely control the lighting, but it can be a lot of fun. Here are some suggestions for outdoor family photos.
Fun Family Photo: Use Water
If it’s summer and you’re enjoying some free time with your family in your backyard, this is the perfect opportunity to splash around and create amazing and truly memorable shots.
You can let your kids splash water on each other and run around. Don’t hesitate to join them for a fun family photoshoot!
Be sure to capture a variety of poses and use props such as a water gun or water hose.
Travel And Take Family Photos
Going out with the family is the perfect opportunity to capture spontaneous shots.
You can go to a local park, forest, or a nice, less crowded urban area.
The possibilities are endless when it comes to lighting and composition. Shots will most likely look better during golden or blue hours.
Autumn family photos are another great idea that you can include in your outdoor shoot as the colors and atmosphere are magical for a family photo shoot. When taking fall family photos, give importance to family photo outfits, choosing colors that go well with the fall theme.
Bold Architecture Will Complement Your Family Photos
Everyone loves nature, but how about including some cool architecture in your family shoot? This is a more unconventional approach that is sure to make your shots stand out.
If you live in a city with bold and beautiful ancient architecture, this is certainly a good choice. But you can also use minimal compositions with your family that include modernist architecture and subtle color schemes.
Indoor Family Photoshoot Ideas
If you don’t like the idea of shooting outdoors and your child is too wild and unruly when taking outdoor photos, don’t worry! Indoor settings can also be a good solution for family photos that don’t look too formal and boring.
You can try some of our simple photoshoot ideas that will turn your indoor session into a relaxing and fun photo shoot.
Relaxing Family Photoshoot Ideas: Bedtime
What’s more relaxing than having everyone in their pajamas and posing in bed!
To ensure that the children are engaged, you can read story books to them. You can also include some drinks like tea or milk to add to the comfort.
Candid Family Photo: Chatting on the Couch
This is another version of a comfortable and informal indoor photoshoot with your family.
You can sit on the couch together and chat, have some snacks or play with your pets. This is a great opportunity to capture everyday moments that are actually sweet and loving.
Use Natural Light For Family Photos: Shoot Close to a Window
If you like soft, subtle-looking portraits, have your family members gather by the window for a lovely session in soft, natural light.
Make sure you are near a large window with lots of light coming in. You can wear light clothing for this type of shoot and perhaps include some indoor plants as props.
Family Portrait During Holiday Season
The holiday season is a great time to take family photos. You can sit with your family by the Christmas tree to capture unforgettable family portraits.
With the whole family gathering at home during the holiday season, and there will be a great idea that can be used to capture some photos of the whole family. Dressed in family attire, sitting near the family tree, opening gifts for a trip can produce candid shots full of joy of the whole family and the joy of young children can also be captured beautifully.
Family Photo Ideas With Babies And Toddlers
Family Photoshoots Should Include Props
Taking photos of babies and toddlers is not easy, but one thing that will definitely make your shooting easier is using props.
Babies will look adorable in a colorful blanket or a cute hat, and for toddlers, you can throw in their favorite toys.
Don’t Always Stick To Conventional Portrait Photography
Capturing conventional portraits of your children, with them looking directly at the camera, shouldn’t be your only goal.
The best way to have a satisfying and fun photo session with young children is to take one formal shot at the start, while they are disciplined and ready to follow your instructions.
Once you’ve managed to get one formal shot, focus on candid moments. Don’t be surprised if some honest, slightly goofy photos end up being your dearest and best photos. The perfect family portrait is more than a formal shot.
Family Photoshoot Ideas With Younger School Kids
The Whole Family Can Be Involved In An Activity
School children are certainly easier to work with than toddlers. It’s true that they get bored easily, but the best way to keep them entertained is to involve them in some activities. For example, they can exercise while you photograph them or they can help you garden or cook. Even the older members of your family can participate in some of these activities, which are the perfect recipe for a dynamic family portrait.
Let Your Kids Take Control During Family Photoshoots
Are you running out of creative family picture ideas? Fear not – I’m sure your kids have some brilliant ideas that can turn out to be fun and unexpected photos.
Ask your kids what kind of photos they like – they can even show you some examples on the Internet. Kids are very creative and you just have to make sure their ideas are safe enough – you don’t want to destroy the whole house for a crazy photoshoot!
Family Photo Ideas With Teenagers
Be Creative: Keep Your Child Interested
Teens tend to be rebellious and it can be hard to convince them to pose for family photos, but you can definitely use a few tricks to make the photo shoot more interesting for them. For example, if your teen plays an instrument or likes cycling, suggest that they pose with a guitar or a bicycle. It may not always work, but it’s worth a try.
Family vacation
Everyone feels relaxed during the holidays, which means that even your teens may be more inclined to take photos and poses.
You could take a lovely family photo by the sea, at a local restaurant, or maybe in the center of a beautiful old town. It’s completely up to you!
Family Photo Ideas With Students
College Spirit: Color Schemes
Entering college is a very important time for freshmen and their families. The same goes for graduation, of course.
To enliven this event, the whole family can wear school colors or use certain props related to campus life, such as books. This type of photo shoot can look cute and sweet, especially if everyone is posing cute.
Shooting Outdoors: Visit Campus
For a more relaxed and less posing photo shoot with your grown children who are now college students, you can do an outdoor session on campus. Take a walk around campus and find the most photogenic places for creative family portrait ideas.
Family Photo Ideas With The Whole Family: Sweet Memories
Get creative with composition and perspective
Portraits that include extended family members are particularly challenging to shoot. You have to make sure that everyone looks good in the photo, and that they are all positioned and dressed properly.
If you plan on shooting older family members, don’t forget that they will likely need chairs.
Instead of asking everyone to stand in a line, think in terms of “layers” — taller people can stand, while shorter ones and children can sit in front of them.
You can also get creative and take pictures of them sitting at a table and engaging in some activity. This is completely up to you and your family members.
Fun Activities, Maybe Group Hugs
If you want to capture something truly out of the ordinary, go for an outdoor shoot with your extended family and pack fun gear like a bike, maybe even a car, and bring your pets too.
If you want to create a loving and sweet atmosphere, you can capture a group hug. It doesn’t have to be perfect poses – cute details and funny faces are priceless!
Capturing Memories: Fun Family Photo Ideas
A great family photo shoot shouldn’t be difficult to arrange if you can successfully apply some of the tips and tricks we mentioned. Try our family photo ideas for your next photo session and we guarantee that your photos will be interesting and fun, not plain and boring.
We wish you a creative and fun family photoshoot!
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