Posing for Genuine and Authentic Family Photos

A single photograph could bridge the past, present, and future of your family. These photos serve as timeless mementos that capture the essence of you and those you love at this moment in time. You can’t go back in time, but you can relive your favourite moments with your family through the eyes of a camera lens. As children grow, and life changes around you, these images provide a tangible connection to the moments you cherish the most. 

Professional photographers have both the vision and expertise to create high-quality, well-composed, and beautifully posed photos that truly showcase your family’s unique personality, and the nuances that truly make you, YOU! 

You deserve photos that can be proudly showcased in your home, shared with everyone you love, and become a source of joy and nostalgia for future generations. 

The key to taking genuine and authentic family photos is knowing how to pose in front of the camera.

If you’ve never taken professional family photos before or if you simply want to improve on your last session, here is some advice on how to pose that will leave you with exceptional images.

The last thing you want is a family portrait that looks stiff and awkward. To ensure your family photos radiate genuine warmth and intimacy, you’ll want to get close. There is no better way to achieve a beautiful, heartfelt family photo than by snuggling up with the people you love. Whether you’re embracing your children, holding hands, or simply standing close together; these small gestures convey the love and unity that define your family. 

It is especially important when there are people of varying heights in the photo to consider taking a few shots on the same level. This brings everyone’s heads close together, and connects the family on another level. Close interactions not only create a more appealing composition, but also capture the heartfelt connections that make your family unique.

Your photos always look more authentic when your family is genuinely having fun and laughing. Spend time talking about your favourite vacation, or a memory that makes you all laugh out loud. These candid moments always make for the best photos because these moments are when your most genuine self shines through. Having fun in these photos is essential because it not only makes it more enjoyable for you and your family, but it also adds an element of spontaneity and pure joy that will make your photos stand out. Laughter, playfulness, and shared moments of delight are the key ingredients that transform a simple photograph into a cherished memory. 

When you and your loved ones let their guard down, relax, and are yourselves during a photoshoot, the results are images that truly reflect the spirit of your family. These candid, joyful moments not only create more relaxed and authentic results, but they also give your family moments of genuine connection and love to enjoy. Making your family photo session fun turns simple pictures into a memorable experience that ensures your family’s story is told with genuine smiles and laughter. 

When you overthink posing, it takes away from the genuineness of your photos. That is why it helps to shoot your family photos in a setting where you’re all comfortable and where you can interact as naturally as possible. For example, if you are in an outdoor setting, take your little one for a walk. If you’re shooting at home, play together or snuggle up for a story. Keeping the posing for your photos natural is important because it preserves the authenticity of the moment and the true essence of your family. 

Natural, unposed photos capture genuine emotions, expressions, and interactions, making them that much more powerful and timeless. These images reflect the unique personalities and connections within your family without the artificially of forced smiles or stiff poses. 

Natural photos also allow you to relive the exact emotions you feel in some of your most precious memories, once again evoking that deep sense of connection we all long for in our photos. Natural posing adds deeper authenticity  through those spontaneous moments.

Very often, standing upright in the middle of a room or garden will make your photos look and feel stiff. Use your surroundings to make yourselves more comfortable. For example, if there’s a wall available, lean up against it. If you are in a room with a couch or chair, incorporate it in your posing; this adds both a sense of naturalism as well as levels to make your photos more genuine and dynamic. Incorporating your surroundings into your photos is a brilliant way to enrich the storytelling aspect of your images and connect your family to a specific time and place. 

Your surroundings not only provide context, but also serve as a backdrop to enhance the visual appeal of your photos. Whether you’re relaxing in your own home, or playing on the beach using what is available around you adds to the narrative of your photos, telling your family’s story on a deeper level. These images not only capture your family’s relationships, but they also give you the opportunity to showcase the places that hold special meaning for you. 

If you would like to change things up a bit, or give your younger child something to do, you can always incorporate a few basic props into your photos. This gives you the opportunity to get more unique shots in addition to the standard, more posed ones. It can also add an extra layer of meaning and creativity to your images, making them stand out even more. 

Props have the power to help you tell a deeper story by reflecting your family’s interests and hobbies, or even marking significant milestones. They can be as simple as a family heirloom, a favourite book, or a shared passion. By adding these elements, you infuse your photos with your own unique personality and narrative.

Props can also help ease any discomfort or self-consciousness that you might be feeling during your shoot, especially if your photos include young children. They provide you and your family something to interact and focus on apart from the camera that is pointed at you. They also give you another opportunity for those candid moments that can’t be forced, but that come from those moments when you forget about the camera and are your most genuine self. 

With the simple addition of a singular prop, your photos immediately become more dynamic and reflective of your one-of-a-kind family. 

If you still have questions about your shoot and how to make the most of it, let us know and we will be happy to assist you with additional tips. Family photos become the keepsakes that remind you of some of your best moments, so seize the opportunity to make them authentic, heart-warming, and uniquely your own. 

The post Posing for Genuine and Authentic Family Photos first appeared on Darla Divine Photography.