What actually makes a great family portrait?
For me, it is not simply about getting everyone to stand in the right position, look at the camera and smile. While those photographs certainly have their place, I think a truly great family portrait is about much more than that.
As a professional family photographer in Exmouth, I want to capture the real people behind the photograph. I want to capture the happy expressions, the natural emotions and the personalities of both the children and the adults.
A family portrait should give you something to look back on and remember.
Years from now, when your children have grown up, you should be able to look at those photographs and remember what they were like at that particular age. Their expressions, their personalities, the way they interacted with you and even the little things they did during the photography session can all become part of those memories.
That is what I believe makes a family portrait genuinely special.
Natural Expressions Make a Great Family Portrait
One of the biggest things I look for during a family photography session is natural expression.
I want to capture genuine happiness, excitement, curiosity and those little moments between family members that happen naturally.
You can always ask someone to smile for the camera, but there is a difference between somebody simply being told to smile and capturing a genuine expression that comes from something happening around them.
This is particularly important when photographing children.
Children can be incredibly expressive. They might laugh, explore, play, become distracted or interact with their parents. Rather than seeing these things as problems, I see them as opportunities to create natural photographs.
Sometimes the photograph I like most from a session is not the one where everybody is looking directly at the camera.
It might be a photograph of a child laughing while walking with their parents, a parent looking at their child, or a moment of genuine interaction between family members.
Those photographs can often tell much more of a story.
Family Photography Should Capture Personality
For me, family photography is not just about recording what somebody looks like.
It is about capturing something about who they are.
Children change so quickly as they grow up. Their personalities develop, their interests change and even their expressions can change over the years.
That is why I think it is important to allow children to be themselves during a family photoshoot.
If they are naturally playful, let them play.
If they are curious, let them explore.
If they are a little shy, give them time.
There is no reason for every photograph to feel forced or overly posed.
I want the photographs to feel like your family.
A Family Photography Session With Two Young Children
One family photography session I remember particularly well involved a mother, father, a boy and a girl who were both around primary-school age.
There were lots of special moments throughout the session, and I was able to capture a wide range of their emotions and personalities.
The family were very pleased with the photographs, which was obviously important to me, but what I particularly liked about the session was the fact that the photographs gave them something they could keep for the future.
When those children grow up, they will be able to look back at those photographs and see what they were like when they were young.
They can look at their expressions and remember those years of their childhood.
That is one of the reasons I enjoy family photography so much. You are creating something that can become more meaningful as time goes on.
Capturing the Personality of a One-and-a-Half-Year-Old
Another family photography session I completed more recently involved a mother, father and their young son, who was around one and a half years old.
He was a very exploratory little boy, and that was a big part of his personality.
Rather than trying to make him sit still and pose constantly, we allowed him to explore and interact naturally.
That gave me the opportunity to capture his curiosity and his expressions as he moved around.
The family were very pleased with the photographs, and I think they really showed something about his personality at that particular age.
That is exactly the kind of thing I want to achieve with family photography.
In the future, the family can look back at those photographs and remember that curious, exploratory little boy.
You Do Not Need Perfectly Posed Photographs
I think there can sometimes be a misconception that professional family photography has to be very strict.
Everyone has to stand in exactly the right position.
Everyone has to look at the camera.
Everyone has to smile.
That is not how I approach family photography.
Of course, there are times when I will give some direction and ask people to look towards the camera or position themselves in a particular way.
However, I also want to give families freedom.
I might ask a family to walk along the beach together, talk to one another or simply interact as they normally would.
The camera can become less important, and that often helps people relax.
When people are relaxed, their natural expressions tend to come through much more easily.
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How I Encourage Natural Expressions From Children
There are several ways I can help children feel more comfortable during a photography session.
Sometimes we might use toys or something that they enjoy playing with. This can help capture their playful expressions and give them something to focus on other than the camera.
Another approach is simply to let them walk around with their parents.
For example, on a beach photography session, I might encourage the family to walk together rather than asking everyone to stand still.
They can talk, interact and enjoy the location while I photograph what happens naturally.
Sometimes I do not need to do very much at all.
I can simply wait.
Children will naturally start playing, laughing, exploring or interacting with their parents. When those moments happen, I can capture them.
I think patience is incredibly important when photographing families.
Patience Is More Important Than Telling Children Off
Parents sometimes worry about how their children are going to behave during a professional family photoshoot.
My advice is not to worry too much.
Children are children.
They might become distracted. They might decide they do not want to cooperate. They might have a tantrum or simply need a little bit of time.
I am a big believer in patience rather than telling children off.
There is no point creating a stressful environment where everyone is worried about whether a child is behaving correctly.
Sometimes we simply wait.
Once the child is ready, we can continue taking photographs.
I think this relaxed approach helps create much more genuine photographs.
Location Can Become Part of the Portrait
Location is also very important when creating a great family portrait.
The setting can form the basis of the photograph and add another layer to the story.
Around Exmouth and the surrounding area, there are some beautiful locations that can work really well for family photography.
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Family Photography at Exmouth Beach
Exmouth Beach gives families plenty of space to move around and interact.
Rather than having to remain in one position, families can walk, play and enjoy the beach while I capture photographs.
The beach can also look very different depending on the weather and time of day, which gives us plenty of options.
Family Photography at Sandy Bay Beach
Sandy Bay Beach is another location I particularly like for family photography.
It has a beautiful open landscape, particularly when the tide is low, and this can give us lots of opportunities for different types of photographs.
You can create photographs from further away that show the family within the landscape, as well as closer photographs focusing on expressions and interaction.
The open setting also gives children more freedom to move around, which can help create natural photographs.
Family Photography at Manor Gardens
Manor Gardens provides a completely different setting.
It is very green and natural, and the appearance of the gardens changes throughout the year.
Spring can be particularly beautiful when the plants and flowers are blossoming.
The location can provide a lovely natural backdrop while still allowing the family to interact and move around.
The Right Location Depends on the Family
I do not think there is one single location that is perfect for every family.
The right location depends on what the family wants from their photographs, the ages and personalities of the children, the time of year and even the weather.
Some families might suit a beach environment where the children can run around and explore.
Another family might prefer a quieter garden or woodland setting.
The location should work with the family rather than the family having to completely adapt themselves to the location.
Choosing the Right Time for Family Photography
The time of day can make a big difference to family photographs.
I generally prefer softer light rather than very harsh sunshine.
Cloudy conditions can actually be excellent for photography because the clouds can soften the light and help avoid strong shadows.
Early morning can also work really well.
If a family wants something particularly special, photographing around sunrise can create a beautiful background and atmosphere.
The important thing is to consider the weather, the available light and what will make the family comfortable.
You do not need bright sunshine to get great family photographs.
In fact, some of the most beautiful conditions can be when the sky is cloudy and the light is soft.
What Should You Wear for Family Photography?
My advice is quite simple: wear something that makes you feel comfortable and represents you.
You can dress smartly, but you do not need to wear something that feels completely unnatural.
If you are comfortable in what you are wearing, you are more likely to feel relaxed during the photography session.
That matters because your comfort and confidence can come through in the photographs.
The most important thing is that you feel like yourself.
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Do Not Worry Too Much About Your Children’s Behaviour
One of the biggest pieces of advice I would give parents is not to spend the entire photography session worrying about whether their children are behaving.
You do not need to apologise because your child is energetic.
You do not need to panic because they have become distracted.
You certainly do not need to worry if they have a tantrum.
We can work around it.
My approach is to be patient and allow children the time they need.
The aim is not to make every child behave like a perfectly posed model.
The aim is to capture their personality.
Family Photography Should Give You Freedom
I think families should have much more freedom during a professional photoshoot than they sometimes expect.
You should not feel like you have to spend an hour standing in exactly the same position.
There can be posed photographs, but there can also be movement, interaction, walking, playing and genuine moments.
That freedom helps create photographs that feel much more personal.
For me, professional family photography is about finding the balance between providing direction and allowing natural moments to happen.
What Makes a Great Family Portrait?
If I had to explain what I believe makes a great family portrait, it would come down to several things:
- Genuine expressions
- Natural emotions
- Capturing personalities
- Family interaction
- A suitable location
- Good lighting
- The right time of day
- Patience
- Allowing children to be themselves
- Creating photographs that mean something to the family
Of course, technical quality matters too.
Professional equipment, composition, lighting and editing all play an important role.
But those things should support the photograph rather than become the entire focus.
For me, the emotion and memory behind the photograph are what really matter.
Examples of some Family Photographs
Family Photography Is About Creating Memories
A photograph might seem simple when you first take it.
You might look at it and think that it is a lovely photograph of your family.
But years later, it can mean something completely different.
You might remember how old your children were.
You might remember what their personalities were like.
You might remember the location where the photograph was taken.
You might even remember the little things they used to do at that age.
That is why I believe professional family photography is about much more than simply taking pictures.
It is about preserving a moment in your family’s life.
Whether that is a family photography session at Exmouth Beach, Sandy Bay Beach, Manor Gardens or another location around Exmouth and the surrounding area, my aim is always to create photographs that feel genuine and personal.
Most importantly, they should feel like you.
Family Photography Exmouth – Frequently Asked Questions
What makes a great family portrait?
For me, a great family portrait captures genuine emotion, natural expressions and the personalities of the people in the photograph. It does not have to be perfectly posed.
Do children need to pose for family photographs?
No. I prefer to allow children to behave naturally and use activities such as walking, playing and exploring to create genuine expressions and interactions.
What if my child is shy during a family photoshoot?
There is no need to worry. I can give them time to become comfortable rather than immediately expecting them to pose. Patience can make a big difference.
What should we wear for family photography in Exmouth?
Wear something that you feel comfortable and confident in and that represents your family. You can look smart while still wearing something that feels natural to you.
Is cloudy weather good for family photography?
Yes. Cloudy conditions can provide soft, even lighting and can work extremely well for outdoor family photography.
What are some good locations for family photography in Exmouth?
Exmouth Beach, Sandy Bay Beach and Manor Gardens are all options, although the best location depends on the family, the children, the season and the type of photographs you want.
What is the best time of day for family photography?
Early morning, daytime with softer light and sunrise can all work well. I generally prefer to avoid extremely harsh sunlight where possible.
What happens if my child has a tantrum during the photoshoot?
There is no need to feel embarrassed. Children can have difficult moments. I prefer to be patient, give them some time and continue when they are ready.
Can family photography be natural as well as professional?
Absolutely. Professional photography does not have to mean stiff or overly formal photographs. I can provide direction while still allowing families to interact naturally.
Why should I have professional family photographs taken?
Professional family photography gives you carefully created and edited photographs that preserve your family’s personalities, relationships and memories at a particular stage of your lives. As your children grow older, those photographs can become even more meaningful.
