3 Ways to Create Extra Meaningful Family Photos
TOP 3 TIPS FOR CREATING MEANINGFUL PHOTOS
Incorporate an activity that you like to do as a family
Wear something special
Choose a meaningful location
FIRST, A PHOTOGRAPHER’S CONFESSION
The spontaneous photos I take of my kids doing something silly, sharing a sweet moment, experiencing a milestone — usually with my phone — are my most meaningful photos. I know, not something that a professional photographer should admit.
The professional photos we’ve taken as a family are very special to me — I love them and the talented photographers who took them — but I wouldn’t say they are meaningful. This applies to family photos in general — not just ones of my family. That’s just my POV. That said, I want them to be meaningful and they can be! It just requires some thoughtfulness…
NOW LET’S DIG INTO THE TIPS
Incorporate an activity that you like to do as a family
This makes the experience even more engaging and interactive and creates photos that reflect your favorite pastimes. It also helps to bring out a variety of emotions, and you know how much I love capturing all the feels…
Examples: have a tea party, play soccer, play a board game, bake together, etc.
Wear something special
Wearing something special — whether gifted to you or passed down by a family member or not — not only makes for meaningful photos, but also might make you feel a certain way while wearing it.
Examples: a necklace passed down from your Grandma, a watch gifted to you from your Grandpa, socks that your kid got you for Father’s Day last year, etc.
Choose a meaningful location
Photos don’t always have to be at forest preserves and beaches — even though they are beautiful settings. You can choose a location that you frequent as a family to authentically capture this stage of life (and make it familiar/comfortable for your kids), a special place that reminds you of something or someone, or really anywhere that is meaningful to you, personally. Depending on what time of day the session is held, we’ll need to be mindful of things like whether or not there is open shade at your desired location, but I’d love to discuss what locations are meaningful to you! We can usually make anywhere work as long as we have the session at sunrise or sunset.
Examples: where you (the parents) met, your “happy place”, etc.