For most families, the best family portraits they have are going to be iPhone photos that rarely get printed. It’s a big responsibility for a photographer to be trusted with these special moments when families do splash out and hire a photographer, and this pressure can feel really stressful sometimes!
But having a good selection of poses and prompts helps you confidently approach all of the variables in family shoots that are beyond your control. When photographing young kids, you learn relatively quickly that every plan is contingent on their mood. Knowing what is predictable can be a saving grace when dealing with so many unknowns.
For those of you feeling nervous before a session, just remember: we’re not chasing perfection – we’re chasing the photos that capture the memory perfectly; snapshots that tell us the story of a chapter in a family’s life, that teleport us directly back to that day, and all of its emotional richness. There’s a balance to navigate, and nailing the combination between aesthetically pleasing and authentic can be a bit of a tough one.
Making sure you have a good selection of poses and prompts in your back pocket will help you walk into your next shoot with confidence! Choose a few poses and prompts that you can use in a sequence and you’ll be amazed at how many emotion-filled images you capture.
We love to start with some fun, icebreaker poses to get everyone loosened up and feeling silly. Then, while the energy is up, we take the opportunity to capture photographs that are full of energy. These are the twirling, jumping, yelling-at-the-sky kind of prompts. Then, once everyone’s all warmed up and comfortable being in front of the camera, it’s time to create images that tell the story of family connection – these are the intimate, tender, and sweet snaps that you look back on and get a good dose of the warm fuzzies.
If you want to dive into the challenging yet rewarding world of family photography, set yourself up for success with these simple poses and prompts.
POSE:
As you hold hands, skip toward me in a line.
PROMPT:
Can you keep a straight line as you skip?
POSE:
Hold your sister close and look at her as she looks at the camera.
PROMPT:
What’s the funniest thing you’ve done with your sister?
POSE:
Walk while holding hands and looking at each other.
PROMPT:
Bump hips and try to get the kids to giggle.
POSE:
Partner one, hold your child over your shoulder as the other family members gather around.
PROMPT:
Pretend to be a potato sack on your parents shoulder!
POSE:
Throw your littlest ones up in the air as the older ones run around you, parents.
PROMPT:
Ok, kids – run as fast as you can around your parents!
POSE:
Take both of your kiddo’s hands and swing them up in the air!
PROMPT:
How high can you swing?
POSE:
Give crazy big hugs!
PROMPT:
Whisper a secret in your parent’s ear!
POSE:
Stand behind your grandparent and give them a warm hug!
PROMPT:
Think about the special bond you share.
POSE:
Everyone sit together and lean in the same direction.
PROMPT:
Let's play dominos, the person on the end has to hold everyone up!
POSE:
Stand together and get ready to get wet!
PROMPT:
Little ninjas, show me your best karate kicks.
Once you’ve nailed a few family photo sessions, we’re sure you’ll figure out a flow of your own. But while you’re building your confidence and figuring out what works and what doesn’t, stick with it – these poses are an amazing way to get started.
Tried and tested by our thriving community of photographers, it’s the answer to you and your clients feeling more comfortable on shoot. Plus, you’ll get the beautiful, natural photographs they’ll look back on for years to come.
Check out the Unscripted App and start selecting some poses and prompts to bust out at your next shoot!
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FAQ's
What are family photography poses?
How can I choose the right family poses for our photoshoot?
Are there traditional or classic family poses that work well?
Can you provide tips for getting natural and candid family poses?