I think we can all agree that family photos are a must. No matter what your family looks like today, the nature of time is that it’s always changing. Your kids will only be the ages they are once. Your family is only all together so often. With so many new seasons of life to celebrate, it’s no wonder we all want pictures to help us remember each season perfectly! But there are lots of different image styles out there, and lots of photographers, too. 

With each family photo session, my goal is to capture timeless, authentic, and joy-filled moments, all while putting you at ease. Each gallery should capture your family’s unique story—a story too beautiful to be captured with one image type! Let’s talk about my three favorite photo types, and why all three should be included in your family photos.

1. Classic Portraits

No matter how natural you want your family photos to be, make sure you include at least a few classic smiles on your image list. These are the money shots! Classic family portraits are the images that end up as profile pictures, printed on holiday cards, and framed to make perfect gifts to grandparents. Family members not feeling their smiliest? I’ve got you covered. Check out my top 5 Tips for a Successful (and stress-free) Family Photo Session.

2. Candid Poses

Yes, candid poses. Seems like an oxymoron, right? But let’s face it, you can’t always count on 30 minutes of stunning candid moments (depending on the length of your family photo session). Being super-posed the whole time can look pretty awkward, too. Enter: The candid pose. Since not everyone knows exactly what to do in front of the camera, staged candids are a great way to create an organic-looking shot, with a little guidance that allows your photographer to frame the composition exactly as they’d like. Most photographers come armed with prompts, poses and strategies to make you feel at ease, posed but not too posed. Feeling like yourself should come naturally! Each prompt gets you started so your personality can shine.

3. True Candid Family Photos

Of course, some of the very best family photos come from moments in between portraits and poses. Truly candid photos capture a moment in time as opposed to a beautiful photograph. There’s something to be said for both, but when it comes to images of authentic personality, candids definitely have the advantage. As a Colorado photographer, I’m all about making people feel at ease. I want you to have a memorable experience with your family, in addition to keeping joy-filled photos after the shutter stops. Candid photos will take some self-imposed pressure off, and allow you to remember how you felt instead of dwelling on how you looked. 

Whether your family photos include 10 people, four generations, or two people and a dog, each image tells a story. Every chapter is important, and each and every season deserves to be remembered. No matter what you’re looking for in a family photo session, let’s capture the moments together!