Do’s and Don’t for Natural Family Photos
I have a very simple list of family photo dos and don'ts to keep in mind while making natural family photos. I will be expounding on these in more detail in the future, but it’s important to keep the short version at top of mind. Many of them will be a bit baffling, but I’ll get around to explaining all of them in time.
This is a lot of what I think about when doing family portraits sessions in Hong Kong, Singapore and Toronto, among others.
No “cheese”
Eye-level or lower
Wide aperture, fast shutter
Get a Nifty 50
Don’t buy presets
It’s not about the gear
Photograph friend’s kids
Print your photos
Look for catchlights
Direct minimally
Cull ruthlessly
Always have a camera
Back up your photos
Step back, show the scene
Keep it fun
Don’t demand smiles
Let kids use your camera
Press the %@$&*! shutter
Focus on the closest eye
Be a kid
Zoom with your feet
Shoot in the rain
Bribes rarely work
Slow down, speed up
It’s all about them
Start now
Obviously this is not a canonical list, but they are all things to keep in mind while taking family photos. Don’t get too stuck in your ways, always be trying new techniques and approaches. Remember, portraits should say something about the subject. In my job as a Hong Kong Family Photographer I use these tips every time I pick up a camera!
And Remember, A Family Photo is the Most Important Photo
