Seattle family photographer: Here is the secret behind authentic-looking family photos

come expecting imperfection

Authentic family photographs are only possible when we begin this process knowing that things will not work out exactly the way we want them to. I start every photo session knowing these main things: The weather, my family's names, the outdoor or in-home location we will be at and the poses I want. Everything else that happens in between is totally up to fate. I don't expect kids to "behave". I don't want parents to feel like they have to smile throughout after having an exhausting day put all their wits together to make it to this session.

I relax into myself more as a photographer when I can be radically honest about how I show up and communicate with my families. In return, I hope this gives you the permission to be yourselves as well. I don't know about you but perfection is too exhausting for me. The photos I make happen because we work together to put that aside.

have a posing guide

When I first started out as a family photographer in Seattle, I came home from photoshoots wondering - "What the heck just happened?!" I never doubted my ability to deliver a gallery families would love but the process left me feeling so confused and exhausted. It was when I started to watching some YouTube tutorials on family photography that I realised the importance of having a posing guide up my sleeve. Initially, I began by drawing out the photos I wanted to get from every session. I included a little guide on the various pairings of people and how I wanted to photograph them. I did not take this paper with me but just the act of writing it all down ensured that it lived in my head and I was able to execute what I needed from each pose. If you are a family, I will guide you into a pose and direct you where I would like you to look or put your hands :)

If you are a family photographer, have about 3 poses that are your go-tos. Once they are in that pose, you can instruct them and also move around to get detail photos if you please.

create movement through play during the photo session

As a Seattle family photographer, the outdoors gives us so much freedom to embrace all the childish parts of ourselves. There is so much to see, touch, smell and explore. This can feel overwhelming so I suggest having one or two games for the kids to play during the photo session. The structure of a game creates a little bit of control for kids and adults and gives everyone something to focus on for the time you are playing. This movement also helps our brains forget that we are in a very new situation (aka a stranger pointing a camera at me) and we laugh and our bodies love it. You don't have to go all out either- something as simple as "peek-a-boo" gets amazing results. Here is a post I wrote about adding play to family photo sessions.

educate your families about your photography process

Part of your process of working as a lifestyle family photographer should be spent educating your families about your expectations from their photo session. As photographers, we are constantly working with new people. The assumption is that because they have hired us, they want us to deliver authentic photos like the ones they see in out portfolios. This can only happen if we share our process with them at least twice but no less than once, after they click "book".

No gatekeeping here: I always ask new families if they have seen my portfolio. I am an artist so I want to be able to create to my strengths and I hope that's what they see as well. Once that aligns and the session in booked, I send my families a welcome guide. Everything is explained in detail. Right before we meet in person to begin our photo session, I once again repeat in short what is going to happen. For example: "Hi! So I going to put you into poses sometimes but feel free to relax into the poses. I will direct you so don't worry about not knowing what to do. I will sometimes move around far and close to get details but remember to connect and look at each other".

know thyself

Whether you're a client or a family photographer, remember that nothing will come as close to helping you get authentic photos as you knowing yourself. What are your goals, motivations, instincts, interests.....(dare I say) triggers?

So much of this comes into play during a photo session. It's such a vulnerable act to be able to go into a space and create work that is authentically you. As photographers, we get caught up in all the technical aspects of running a business but when it comes down to it, it's you, your heart and your camera. This is the work. Spend time getting to know yourself, ridding yourself of perfection and finding a style that is authentic to YOU. Everyone has the ability to take a photo these days but nobody has your inner system. Trust it, love it and learn it.