Family Portrait Session | New York, NY
Welcome to March! 🌸 Spring is just around the corner, and it’s the perfect time to think about booking your spring portrait session. Whether you're looking to capture family moments with spring blossoms or simply embrace the season’s fresh energy, I’d love to help you create beautiful images and memories.
Today, I’m excited to address a question from a client who asked about how to look more natural in photos. It's a topic that comes up often, and I’m happy to share my tips and tricks to help you feel comfortable and confident in front of the camera.
Tip #1: Savor the moment. One of the first things I do to help people forget themselves during a session is give them prompts to engage and connect with their family members. I want the experience of the portrait session itself, and not just the resulting images, to be an enjoyable experience and a positive memory for you and your kids. When this happens, you will naturally look more relaxed and happy in your photos and feel less self-conscious. I like to capture a mix of both traditional portraits (when everyone looks at the camera), as well as a variety of more natural interactions. I will have you switch between these types of portraits throughout the session. This helps your smiles and gestures to feel more fresh and real.
Tip #2: Movement. I've found that movement often helps me capture a more natural expression or posture. This movement can be very small. It can be a shift of your gaze, a movement of the hand to twirl your little girl, or a small kiss on the cheek, or casual walk together. I guide you through these small shifts and prompted movements throughout a session. It can also be movement that occurs right before I click the shutter that allows you to forget yourself. It's amazing how very small shifts in posture or positioning can make all the difference in helping you look natural. Pausing for breaks help minimize fake or frozen smiles. If you are taking photos on your own of family members I recommend introducing an activity like blowing bubbles, playing with the family pet, or smelling flowers. Moving and interacting with the world helps you forget yourself.
Tip #3: Let the Kids Be Kids. If there are young children involved, l often give them moments of free rein so I can capture their spontaneity. Whether they’re playing, laughing, or exploring their surroundings, the candid moments with kids are often the ones parents love most.
Tip #4 Natural Poses. A loose and relaxed stance or posture isn't always easy to maintain with a camera pointed straight at you. It's also difficult to know how you look without seeing yourself in a mirror so I try to fill in as your mirror by giving you direction. I pay attention to details in your posture or posing that will help you look natural throughout your session. I may direct you to laugh, lean into each other, shift your weight from one hip to another, bend a knee, put a hand in a pocket, link your arms, embrace a child, or have someone rest a head against a shoulder. I will ask you to tip a chin up or down depending on your height and relationship to the camera or shift your feet. Sometimes I'll direct a relaxed hand hold or a sitting portrait which will help you appear more natural. I'll consider what looks most natural with child placement and how it effects your posture if you are carrying a child and suggest modifications if needed. Most people feel less awkward in a photo if they are doing something with their hands, so holding a child, or a child's hand, makes a big difference. This also usually calms and relaxes your child in front of the camera as well.
Tip #5 Dress Comfortably & Intentionally. Don't underestimate the power of clothing to help you feel comfortable and confident and move naturally. Your children's cooperation will also last longer if they feel comfortable in what they are wearing and don't feel itchy, constricted, or uncomfortable. Some basic tips are to choose soft fabrics that allow for easy movement and comfort without being overly clingy. Choose fabrics that are wrinkle free or make sure to iron or steam them beforehand which will help you focus on your family instead of your wrinkles. If your session is during the spring or fall when temperatures can vary between warm and chilly bring along extra layers for your family so you can stay warm and relaxed. If your session is in the heat of the summer, make sure to wear lighter colors that won't show sweat as easily. I offer styling sessions to help you prepare for your portrait session and guide your clothing choices for the whole family. This helps you select clothing that will look natural in whatever setting you choose and also allow you to feel comfortable and at ease with movement during the session.
I hope these tips are helpful for you to feel more at ease during your portrait sessions. It's my job as a photographer to capture your family naturally even if you feel a little uncomfortable having your portrait taken. It's quite normal to feel a little awkward in front of the camera and I can guarantee you're not the only one who feels that way. You are in good company! I'm confident directing the session to capture what I need to make you look great.
Remember, you can always send me your questions or topics you'd like me to address, I'm here to help and love hearing from you!
Wishing you a wonderful start to the month and the spring season!