Top 7 Ways to Have the Best Family Photos

Watching our baby boy grow up so quickly, I remember telling my husband David, “Time just FLIES, doesn’t it?”

David then shared something I’ll never forget. He said, “That’s why I love photography. Not because time flies, but because we capture moments in time.”

To me, every photo of our son is priceless. It holds every emotion, physical feature, and story of where our life was in one snapshot.

We understand the power of an irreplaceable moment in time. So we want to help inspire you in the best ways to capture it.

Here are 7 tips we give our families on how to have the BEST family photos.

1 | Pick a place your family LOVES

Where are your favorite hangout spots?

Where do you know your kids are going to naturally smile, laugh and have fun?

THOSE are the spots that define your family and will inspire the best photos.

2 | PLAY! Find an activity your family loves

The best family photos capture your family at a time when everyone gets to play.

What does your family love doing together?

Or maybe if it’s hard to find something you all agree on, it might be fun for each of you to incorporate a hobby into the photo!

3 | Coordinate the best outfits for EACH of you

You are not clones.

(photo courtesy of Comic Vine)

So do NOT wear clothes that all match.

Instead, find outfits that compliment each of you – your individual personalities and body types.

Choose a palette for your family to follow rather than everyone wearing the exact same thing.

Try to avoid too many patterns on your clothes. Go for basic or simple patterns. Use colors that will look great with your eyes, skin tone, hair, location, season.

4 | Dress UP!

This is a great excuse to shop for that outfit you’ve always wanted to wear!

It makes ALL the difference when you hire a hair stylist or makeup artist to complete that look and to style you in a way where your hair won’t all get frizzy or where it may die quickly from the heat or wind. These artists know how to style to give your family a chic, polished, clean look.

5 | Select time based on the BEST light

The best photographers in the world follow light.

For the best photos, select the best lighting. For an outdoor shoot, pick an hour before the sun sets. If you’re surrounded by tall buildings/trees where it would block the sun, pick 2-3 hours before then.

Trust your photographer for when the best light is based on the location you love.