A question I’m often asked is how can you look natural in photos?
Understandably, when you hire a family portrait photographer like myself, you want to look natural in the photographs.
Rest assured, natural smiles, natural exchanges between you and other members of your family….this is exactly what I aim to capture for you.
Examples of the relaxed family portraits I create are all over this website and my social media channels (find me on Facebook and Instagram). If you’re hiring me, chances are you’ve seen my style and know that these images are what you’re after for your family.
Natural and relaxed family portraits
When you have your photo taken, the challenge is often that you want to look your best and look natural, but you’re not used to or don’t like being in front of a camera.
Feeling apprehensive about having the photos taken makes your body do strange things! You tense up, your shoulders hunch, your jaw tightens and your expression changes. The look in your eyes says it all too.
Many adults tell me they feel awkward and self-conscious, so if this is you, don’t worry, you’re not alone!
Kids aren’t usually so camera shy, but they are more inclined to put on a cheesy, fake smile which is definitely what we don’t want either!
So, what can you do to ensure that you, and the children, look natural in family photos?
Tips for looking natural in photos
If you’re wondering how to look natural in photos, these tips should help!
Essentially, you need to:
1. Trust in me
Please put your trust in me that I will create the natural family photos that you’re after. Let me guide you through the process and come feeling as relaxed as possible.
I have photographed hundreds, if not thousands, of families and can create a wide range of beautiful photographs for you. Experience has taught me how to get the best, and most natural-looking portraits.
I’ve worked with children of all ages (I have 23 years experience as a teacher and headteacher, and 20 years experience as a mother), so I know how to get their co-operation and the best photographs out of any situation.
2. Go with the flow!
One of the main ways I achieve relaxed and natural photos is by photographing you as I would wish to be photographed.
Remember, it’s always more painless than you think it’s going to be too, so try not to get yourself in a panic. Just go with the flow!
I aim to make your family portrait session enjoyable and completely pain-free (!), so there really is nothing to worry about.
Just focus on getting you and the clan to me on time. This is often the biggest stress-inducer for parents, so leave yourself plenty of time for travel and plan the journey in advance.
3. Don’t practise smiling!
I advise my clients to not ask their children to practise smiling before they come to the session as we end up with cheesy, fake smiles!
Instead, I’ll encourage your children to act as naturally as possible during the photoshoot so that I can capture them behaving as they ordinarily would.
Ahead of time, we can discuss whether there is anything that you and the children enjoy doing, or if there are any additional support needs that I should be aware of.
With this knowledge, I can create a photoshoot environment and set them tasks that are fun and appropriate to their age and abilities. This then allows you and your family to interact with each other in a natural way, whether that’s in my photography studio or in the extensive grounds outside.
Adults, I usually get you to chat to each other and certainly won’t ask you to do anything that might make you feel self-conscious or embarrassed!
When the children, and you, are happy, I’ll then be there to capture the natural moments in beautiful family photographs!
Want your own natural family photos?
I hope these tips on how to look natural in photos has helped!
To speak to me about the possibility of me taking your family’s portrait or to book in for a photoshoot, please get in touch.