Why you should have a Family Photoshoot
When was the last time you took a family portrait with everyone in it? It has been a while, right? One of you is always stuck behind the camera, or it’s a stiff selfie, and you rarely capture fun photos of you all together having a great time. A family photoshoot is something you need if this sounds like you.
I am referring to a lifestyle family photoshoot, which can be done at home, in a beautiful park or garden, or in a special nostalgic location that has your heart.
As a mother there may be many reasons as to why you aren’t in your family photos; you may not feel confident enough to be in photos or you may just be so focused on capturing your family in photos and not even think about yourself. You deserve to be in these photos, because your children will appreciate these memories as they get older.
You might be asking - What is Lifestyle Photography and how does it work?
A lifestyle family photoshoot is a mixture of classic portraiture and candid photography. We have come a long way from the staged, rigid, and clinical photoshoots in which the kids drag their feet to the photographer's studio.
The photographer comes to your home or that specific location, not the other way around and we make it natural and fun! As a family photographer, I love to capture authentic and natural shots, especially in nature! If I see crisp autumn leaves outside, I'm right out there ready to take some awesome shots! I’m always looking out for a good photo location!
A lifestyle shoot focuses on creating photos that are as natural and unobtrusive as possible, highlighting you all individually and as a family. I want to portray actual family life in all of its beauty — the beautiful, chaotic, and fantastic aspects of it. If you're on the fence about booking a session, keep reading and I guarantee you will find out why you should!
5 reasons as to why you should have a Family Photoshoot
To capture this moment in time
Relive beautiful memories
No one stuck behind the camera
They are FUN!
A personal gift to share with loved ones
1. To capture this moment in time
We are so focused on our futures and we never get time to sit down and reminisce on our pasts. Your babies are growing up far too quickly and they will be moving out in the blink of an eye.
When the kids are smaller, having a family portrait taken each year is a terrific way to document each of their developmental milestones. They change so much SO quickly, and you’ll find yourself looking back at these photos all the time. I know I do! And my baby is only 2 years old!
As children grow older, they establish their own lives and may not have the time or interest to have a family photoshoot.
Alfie was sooo little here!! (August 2020)
And look at how much he’s grown (February 2022)
2. Relive beautiful memories
Family pictures have the power to allow you to be taken back to an exact moment in time. Not only to remind you of how you looked, but also of how you felt at the time. Photos take us back in time. They are a great way to reminisce and pass on to future generations. Grandchildren and great-grandchildren may wish to see family photos in the future, and wouldn't it be a shame if there were few or none to share?
As a personal antic-dote, when I was a few months postpartum, I realized I had very few photos of me with my newborn baby. While I am very much the capture a sweet moment in a photo type of person, my husband is more of a live in the moment type. So there I was 4am crying my eyes out that I didn’t have more than a couple photos with my baby that I actually liked that weren’t a few selfies here or there, meanwhile I had tons of photos and videos of my husband with him.
So from that point on, he has agreed to try and remember to take the photo and I have made it my goal to make sure that mamas get photos they love with their little ones.
You can make a beautiful memory even more significant by having your family photoshoot at a location that you love or is special to your family, whether that be a family photoshoot at the beach or in the woods!
3. No one stuck behind the camera
I've spoken to a lot of parents in the past, and one of the main reasons they schedule a family photoshoot is that they are always the ones behind the camera, missing out on being in the photos.
It is tricky to set up a phone or even me with my full camera, tripod, and an app on my phone so I don’t have to hit the timer button and run into position! Sure you can get a couple really quick cheesing photos, but you can’t capture the love, the genuine laughter and the fun personality of your family that you can with a professional photoshoot!
Having professional photos done ensures that the entire family is included. As a mother, you are one of your child's most influential people in their life, so don't miss out on these moments. Plus, your children would love to see both of their parents in the images!
4.They are fun!
I can see why some individuals are afraid of family portraits. Many families have only had photoshoots in which everyone is squeezed into a little room and told to pose or grin awkwardly. No thank you!
You'll be relieved to learn that family photoshoots do not have to be conducted in this manner. Mine, at least, don't! I love to get to know you and your family, have fun and capture your memories in the most authentic way possible!
Making a family photoshoot enjoyable eliminates tension and allows you and your children to play freely, allowing you to capture natural moments that show off your family's great relationships. If you have a little one who wants to run wild for a few minutes, let them! I always like to start with walking or running to get the nervous energy out. I also come prepared with sweets, toys, and games prepared to help your little one feel more at ease and less like they’re being forced to do something they don’t want (sitting still!) More on that in another blog!
5.A personal gift to share with loved ones
Many of us have extended families that we may not see as much as we would like. I know first hand- as we lived in NC for 6 years 4000+ miles & an ocean away from my husband’s family, and now we have moved opposite from mine. They have always loved getting photo updates from us. Images from a family photoshoot make a beautiful gift to give to the rest of the family, allowing you to stay in touch. And now there are so many fun photo gift ideas too like pillows, canvas frames, mugs, etc!
Outdoor family photoshoots also produce the most stunning, natural photographs for your photo wall, albums, or even to share on your social media. Using natural warm light makes those ordinary moments feel a little more magical.
Is it worth having a Family Photoshoot?
If you are debating this question then the answer is most definitely yes, it is worth it. Why would you not want to capture memories of yourself and your family? It is an investment worth making and you will only look back and regret that you do not have those images captured.
I am a Suffolk based family photographer and a Cambridgeshire family photographer who loves to create connections with wonderful families, to help capture beautiful memories in a natural and fun way. We can even grab a delicious cup of coffee to get to know each other first!
If this blog helped change your mind about family photoshoots, send me an email and let me know!
If you’re ready to book your family session, click this button to find out more about pricing & collections!
