I consider myself a traditional family photographer, meaning I focus a good chunk of my photo sessions on getting everyone nicely situated and smiling at the camera. But I also say I’m a “traditional family photographer with a modern twist” because I want capture the connections you have with one another. So despite my directions to “stand here” and “put your hands there” and “do this,” what I’m really trying to do is take away your anxiety of not knowing where to stand, what to do with your hands, and what to do in general so you can instead relax and create some fun memories.
Here are collages of my summer 2024 photo sessions where you can find both type of photos!
What is a candid moment?
For me at least, a candid moment is an authentic interaction or emotion. But despite that definition, most candid moments at family photo sessions are not actually candid. I do a ton of directing during my family photography sessions to try to elicit these feelings or responses. For example:
- Shake or tickle the person you’re hugging.
- Lift your child into the air.
- Walk hand in hand and bump hips on every fourth step.
- Flare your nostrils at the person you’re looking at.
Why are candid moments important?
These interactions and expressions bring out your true selves and reflect your feelings for one another. Candid moments reveal more of your family’s story than a portrait where you’re all smiling at the camera.
How can I help my family create candid moments?
- Relax as much as possible. Family photo sessions are STRESSFUL! You’ve likely spent hours getting ready, and inevitably someone got a scratch the day before, or you forgot to buy new shoes, or your partner has to focus on work so you had to get the whole family ready including yourself. Now you’re here, you made it. Take a deep breath. It’s time for the fun part.
- Eliminate happiness obstacles.
- If your toddler doesn’t want to wear the stiff new shirt, find a soft one they’ll be more comfortable in.
- Let them bring their favorite stuffed animal.
- If they’re getting tired or hangry, give them a pop of sugar (I have Smarties and DumDums in my camera bag at all times).
- Reschedule if anyone is sick.
- Reschedule if it’s too hot or cold (I always recommend rescheduling if it’ll be above 90 or below 45).
- Encourage goofiness. If your kids are being wilder than usual, all the better. I’d much rather have them happy and running around than grumpy. Embrace the sillies!
- Suggest ideas! I LOVE it when my clients have fun ideas for their sessions. It keeps me from having to come up with prompts. Even better when your kids start coming up with ideas. Let’s try it! Why not? If the photos don’t come out great, I’ll leave them out of your gallery (and usually I’ll say it during the session – “Welp, that didn’t work out, but we tried!”).
While that’s the end of my “Candid Moments” blog post, here are a bunch more photo sessions from this summer! Please browse below and check out hundreds more on my Pinterest page. If you’d like to book a photo session with me, I’ve just opened up winter and spring 2025 dates! You can schedule online here.
