The Benefits of Activities During Family Photo Sessions
The Benefits of Doing Activities During Family Photo Sessions
Capturing family photos is not just about standing still in front of a camera and smiling; incorporating activities into your session not only provides a wonderful experience for parents and kiddos, but it results in the most beautiful images. Here are several reasons why having a planned activity is great for your photos and how to do so.
1. Natural Interactions
When families participate in activities, it allows for genuine interactions. Whether it's playing games or the guitar, reading a book together, laughing together, or simply cuddling on a blanket while mom sings your little one’s favorite song, these moments generate authentic moments that create lasting memories. The key to a great photo lies in the emotion it conveys, and rather than standing and expecting everyone to look at the camera smile, photographing families in the midst of activities they enjoy allows for the most genuine expressions to be captured.
2. Reduced Pressure for Parents and Children
Posing for photos can sometimes create anxiety, particularly for parents who feel pressure to make sure their children "behave." By incorporating activities, parents and children experience the freedom to be themselves. This distraction helps family members feel more relaxed, resulting in a more enjoyable experience and better photos.
3. Your Family’s Story Comes to Life
Engaging in activities reveals the unique dynamics and personalities within a family. Some families love to be silly, play games, and are incredibly active. Others love quiet moments, reading together, or playing the guitar while cuddling close. Every family is unique and has interests that pertain to them. The interactions found within each activity tell a story about a family’s relationships and result in images which preserve the history of unique moment in time. When looking back at the photos, families not only see their faces smiling at the camera, but what they were feeling in that moment.
4. Creating Fun Memories
I always tell my clients to not think of their upcoming photo session as a “photo shoot,” but rather as an experience. I want them to see this as an opportunity to create joyful memories. Activities like reading, guitar playing, going on a hike, fishing at a lake, or simply twirling in a field are cherished moments that your family will remember long after the photos are taken. This can also make it a tradition—each year, you engage in a different activity during your session.
5. A Photo Gallery that is Filled with Variety
How do I incorporate activities in my photo sessions? I try to create balance. We often begin a session with a few traditional shots of families hugging and looking at the camera. We then begin an activity. I try to capture images that show the details of the family in the midst of their activity while focusing on individuals and small groups together. I may capture mom and dad holding hands while their kids play around them, or a close up of baby in dad’s arms, or brother and sister laughing together, etc. As the activity reaches different ending points, I then gather the family into a few more group shots with them all cuddled together. Because they have been immersed in something they love, capturing their authentic joy in the more traditional shots, becomes even easier to do! The end result is a diverse range of shots filled with movement, laughter, and genuine love!
Engaging in activities during family photo sessions can significantly enhance the overall experience for each family member and yield more authentic photographs. By prioritizing fun, connection, and genuine moments, you can create a collection of images that not only captures your family's likeness but also the love and joy you share.
6. How Do I Help Families Decide What Activities to Do?
My Scheduling Information Form is filled with questions that I encourage every family to answer as thoroughly as possible. After a family has completed their form, we have a zoom call in which we discuss the vision for their session. This is also a great way for us to get to know each other an for me to fully understand their vision.
What activities do you like to do as a family? Share them below to inspire others!
I am a part of a wonderful Blog Circle of incredible family photographers. If you happen to be traveling in Charlottesville, VA this photographer has an incredible and comprehensive list of amazing Charlottesville Fall Activities. Check it out and book her for a session, too!