Ideas to Liven Up (Successfully) Your Next Family Session

Some families are not very fond of posing continuously and feeling like a camera is pointing at them every moment. Or some members yes, but the rest no. And that ends up influencing the session. It also happens that there are those who prefer to make more spontaneous reports and not ask the protagonists to look at the camera, to turn around, to put their arm like this or «like this», and so on.

For these cases, I propose some resources to energize the session that will allow you to capture more spontaneous images while they play, have fun or entertain themselves with the task at hand.

Before starting the task, I recommend that you find out what they are like. What do they like, what hobbies do they have in common, if they are serious or jokers, etc. Everything you can know beforehand will help you to conduct the session, to conclude which of the following ideas will be better for you or to include others.

And if there are children, surely this mega guide to photographing children with all the tips and tricks is perfect for you. Or this baby photography one, if they still don’t reach two feet from the ground 😜

Pet

If the family has a pet, suggest that they bring it to the session. In case they do bring it along, playing with it at the beginning of the session will help relax the different members and allow you to achieve spontaneous images. You can even capture some cute or funny photography. Once you have a few images with the animal, you can continue the session with the rest of the family, more relaxed. Of course, you will have to foresee what to do with her while you finish or agree if she is going to participate in the entire session.

The pet, one of the family

Hats or caps

Some shy people are more confident with an object in hand or with something to “disguise” that serves to hide or to face the camera with a prop. A hat or several can help you, while they try to exchange it, steal it or try it on, you can capture gestures, looks, smiles, etc. An umbrella, a magnifying glass, a pipe, a nice scarf, or even an old suitcase, for example, can also help you.

Hats and other accessories. Always have one on hand.

balloons

The idea of ​​balloons, when there are small children, is always an easy and photogenic resource. Although first you must make sure that there is no child in the family who is afraid of them. Remember to fill them with helium if you want them to stand tall. If it’s just to play for a while and relax the atmosphere, it’s enough to inflate them to the lungs ;).

Treasure hunt”

A resource that you can use, especially when there are children (which will be most of the time when you have to throw out ideas) is to look for a treasure. Hide an object, for example a pomper, you can give them clues, have a treasure map made if it is a place that you know well or that you usually use for your sessions, or play “hot or cold” as they move away or approach. The whole family can either participate in the search or one member can hide it and the rest search for it, so that you can concentrate on the photos.

Soap bubbles

I have given the pompero as an example of a treasure because it is another resource that can help you. And it would be introduced naturally. Well, rest assured that if a child finds a pomper he will want to use it yes or yes;).

Some advices: use the sunset light, keep the background non-distracting so the bubbles can be seen, underexpose a little to make the bubbles look better, and freeze the action with a shutter speed of at least 1/200 sec and with a focus AF-C or Al servo (depending on camera model).

Soap bubbles

Kite

How about you make them fly a kite? You will be able to play with backlights, capture the movement, the laughter, the races. Look for interesting perspectives and you will achieve very attractive photos without the need for them to pose.

The flight of the kite

Musical instruments

Does anyone in the family play a musical instrument? If possible, have them bring it to the session. Music calms the beast ;). Now seriously, it can be a good connector. I am not going to talk about the properties of music, but I will tell you that if you get them to sit down and listen to how their son, sister, mother or grandson plays, for example, you will achieve very nice images. Listen with your viewer and your heart and put yourself in a very low perspective (basically get on the ground 😉 ). You will be happy with the result.

Photography by Laith Abuabdu

paintings

How about a few paints and brushes? The game is guaranteed. The photographs too.

battle of paints

Tips:

  • only valid for fun, brave and daring families.
  • not recommended with very young children.
  • use easily washable paints and clothes suitable for getting dirty.
  • Be very careful with the camera in case there are paint drops ;).

Confetti

To use in places where it is easily cleanable, if it is not the case, forget it. Don’t leave the beach or the field full of confetti ;). Whether you’re indoors or anywhere else that can be cleaned, a confetti fight can be very engaging in color, laughter, and movement. Use very fast speeds to freeze confetti in mid-air.

Pillow fight

If the children are big, you can try a pillow fight, but the ones with feathers that end up flying through the air. Follow the advice of the confetti regarding speeds and cleaning. You wouldn’t want to get to a beach and find it full of feather pillows, would you?

Silly faces

The little ones love making weird faces. If you see that they do not collaborate too much, you can propose to the whole family as a game that they make different gestures, close their eyes, wink, stick out their tongues, make scared faces. In this, they will surely collaborate. You can capture the gestures or the laughs and the complicit looks between grimace and grimace.

Bengal

Here’s another idea to entertain the whole family, surprise the little ones and help you capture original images.

Photography by Caleb Jones

If the sunset gets longer and the ages of the family members allow it, you can try a light painting image to end with a smile ;).

Mirror or photo frame

Use a large mirror with a nice frame to capture reflections or to act as a game. Very interesting and original images can be achieved. You can also use an empty frame, to “frame” your models in a natural way.

whisper something nice in the ear

If you are one of those people who loves capturing emotions through looks and gestures, you will like this game. Ask them to whisper nice things in each other’s ears. You will be able to capture the moment and, best of all, the reactions.

London Scout Photography

play hide and seek

If the place allows the family to play hide and seek among trees, rocks or whatever, take advantage. Faces that appear, feet that are discovered, laughter and runs.

Hideout

Share a common hobby

Whether it’s music, gardening, cooking or sports, if there is a common hobby for the whole family, try to take advantage of it. It is not about focusing the entire session on her (or yes, if it is the family’s wish), but about taking advantage of what everyone likes so much and that unites them in one way or another.

forced perspective

Forced perspective can be another game with which to achieve original and fun images if you feel like participating. Obviously, not everyone is interested in this type of photography, but there will be those who prefer it to a traditional pose.

the little photographers

The last idea I want to share with you is that you propose to the youngest members of the family to become photographers. If you see that they get tired and lose interest, leave them a camera from your collection, if you have a Lomo, or an old camera, try leaving it to them and let the others pose for them.

little photographers

If after this you need some tips to plan your family session, click here. To get inspired, you can do it in this other link.

Did you like this article? If so, share it on your favorite social network so that more people can benefit from the information. And if you give it a “Like” we will know if this is the content that interests you or not, and we can fine-tune to create a better blog for you. Thanks and see you soon!