Tips for Capturing Lovely Family Photos

With the holidays just around the corner, many of us are starting to think about how to capture a card-worthy snap. As hard as wrangling kids may seem, these shots mean a lot and are always a way I like to capture the season we’re in. Having navigated the family photo chaos a few times myself, I’ve put together a list of my top tips to ensure your family portraits turn out frame-worthy. And keep scrolling for outfit ideas that may suit your style.

The most recent professional photos we had done were mementos of the kids, taken in our garden. Just for me to remember them at this stage forever. More springy than holiday, but you can shop their outfits here. 

Some fall family photo inspiration for you!

If you have an area of your home that you love, that could be the perfect back drop. I dressed up my living room mantle with some florals et voila! Take a peek at our outfit details here!

Tips for Taking Family Photos

1. Plan Everyone’s Outfits Ahead of Time: It might seem like a no-brainer to plan everyone’s outfits before the photo day, but here’s an extra tip: go all out. Think about things like accessories and make sure everyone tries on their outfits a few weeks in advance. This way, you can avoid last-minute meltdowns (especially with little ones). Comfortable clothes mean happy faces and more smiles on the day of.
2. Neutrals with a Pop: When choosing outfits, try to avoid super bold colors. You will see that I base our outfits around neutrals, usually black or white and add pops of light blues or pinks for interest. I love neutrals because they feel more timeless and keep the focus on the people, not just the outfits. Plus, they tend to age better as the years go by.
3. Be Conscious of Timing: Timing is everything when it comes to getting the best shots. I usually aim for late morning or early evening to make the most of natural light. And don’t forget to consider everyone’s schedules! Evening works well for us because it’s between nap time and dinner, and Michael is home from work and all set to join in.
4. More, More, More: When it comes to photos, more is better. If you have a photographer, they’ll probably snap a ton of pictures but don’t hesitate to ask for some candid shots too. Those unposed moments often end up being the most cherished. And here’s a pro tip: high shutter speeds on the camera can help catch those fidgety kids in their best light!
5. Capture the Chaos: Typically the less posed moments end up being my favorites. With kids this age, letting them do something and capturing that vs. posing seems to be our best bet, and I roll with the candid nature. Sometimes the stars align and we get a framer but not always.

Family Photo Outfit Ideas:

Click each image to shop these family photo outfit ideas!

Click each image to shop!

Click each image to shop!