You don't have to be a professional photographer to create family photos that look natural; you just have to follow a few simple rules.
Tips on how to take a
good family portrait
Here are some ways to put your subjects at ease:
- Get them talking or telling stories.
- Photograph them in a familiar environment.
- Position people naturally. Try arranging people at different height levels or in groupings.
- Don't arrange your family at all. Capture action shots of the kids playing together, for example.
Take a moment and consider your composition. It can turn an everyday snapshot into a work of art.
- Zoom in with your camera and fill the frame with your family.
- Shoot subjects at eye level or slightly above to give the
best view. - Try extreme angles for a dramatic effect—like shooting
from directly above as your kids play in the grass. - Crop in close to capture facial expressions.
- Every day is a photo opportunity. Just take a simple snapshot. You'll treasure these casual photos for years to come.
- Create your own family photo days. Shoot portraits of each family member on the same day each year. Or pick one day every month to do a quick photo shoot.