How I Get Natural Smiles During Family Portraits

5 Techniques I Use To Get Natural Smiles During Family Portraits

I believe that family portraits should be fun, candid, and feel unposed. Part of this is capturing natural images. If you have never taken family portraits before, or if you have worked with another Photographer and it just didn’t feel “right” – the good news is that it is easier than you think 😉 In order for things to feel natural, you must feel comfortable. Here are five techniques that I use to keep you comfortable and get natural smiles during family portraits.

1. I Start Off With “Warm Up” Shots

One of the most important ways I get natural smiles during family portraits is by easing into the session. The first 5-10 minutes, I like to consider as “warm up” shots. And the warm up is not only for you and your family – but also for me as a Photographer. I can typically get a good idea of how comfortable you are in front of the camera, after about 10 minutes. And I can make adjustments from there. This is especially the case with children. Some children are able to give great smiles without being prompted. But most younger children need to have the smiles brought out of them 🙂 Starting off with really simple poses is an excellent way to get everyone feeling comfortable.

2. Taking Pictures From A Distance

Perhaps the number one way that I get natural smiles during family portraits is by putting some distance between you and the camera. In my experience, people feel more-and-more comfortable the further they are away from the camera. This is why I recommend taking pictures outdoors instead of in the studio. No one likes a giant camera shoved in their face! And having the ability to back up enables you and your family to feel comfortable.

3. Incorporating Movement Into The Poses

Another way that I get natural smiles during family portraits is by incorporating movement into the poses. There are dozens of ways to do this and it depends on the age of the youngest members of your family. With smaller children, nearly all of the poses will incorporate movement. Kids like to run, jump, be tossed in the air, etc. The smiles that kids give while moving are more natural than if they are prompted to say, “1-2-3- CHEESE.” Walking shots are also a way to get you and your family moving and smiling. I may have you guys sing a song as you walk or incorporate fun movements such as hip bumps.

4. Constant Dialogue Throughout The Session

One of the ways that I keep you comfortable during the session is by having open dialogue. This is a technique that you may not even notice but is REALLY important. I like to keep general conversation and also provide positive reinforcements throughout the session.

Have you ever been on a date where there was little to no conversation? If the date took place anywhere other than a movie theatre, this can be extremely awkward! The same goes for family portraits. When we are talking and have an open dialogue, things feel more natural 🙂

5. Shift Your Focus Off Of The Camera

Another important way to keep you comfortable and get natural smiles during family portraits is by shifting your focus away from the camera. Rather than focusing on your Photographer, I like you and your family to focus on each other. Some of the ways I do this is by having you answer questions about your family members and capture the interactions. When you are focused on each other, this is a great way to look and feel natural 🙂

Hopefully these techniques give you an idea on how fun family portraits can be. The best photos are those where you feel natural and unposed – and this is the style that I love to shoot in. Thanks!