Who wants gorgeous family pictures? Do you ever think they are out of reach for you? You can have gorgeous family photos! It is possible! I have five tips to make those gorgeous family photos a reality, and they really are simple!!
I am so excited to share what has worked for us, we have a large family and I often get asked how do you get such great family photos? Well, we are blessed to have an amazing photographer! Joani from 360 Elite Photography, But I have also learned over the years a few things that seem to make a big difference!
We are a family of ten, yes ten… 8 children ages 16 to 1! Family pictures are something that we love, and something that can feel out of reach. No more! I have figured out the best tips to get great family pictures every time! No matter how big or small your family is!
Tip number one: FEED YOUR FAMILY :
No one likes to be hungry, I get crabby when I am hungry, I know two yr olds are even crabbier when they are hungry. So eat a nice balanced meal before pictures and don’t be afraid to bring a few snacks. AND wet wipes! ALSO wet wipes! You never want a messy face!
Tip number two: DRESS IN LAYERS:
It photographs well, and it always makes photos look a little more polished, and bonus as the photo shoot goes on, you can take off a layer and you have a whole new look!
In this photo, The girls have taken off their sweaters, and Hinckley has put on his vest!
Sweaters on for this one! Not a huge difference, but a completely new look for them!
Tip Number Three: PICK A LOCATION YOU LOVE, BUT LISTEN TO YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER:
I was used to nature spots, and my photographer Joani, said to try something new, I loved the artsy look but still wanted some classic nature shots, she found the best of both worlds and I adore how they turned out! I never would have picked the location with the big doors, but I absolutely love them!
Tip Number Four:PHOTOGRAPH LITTLEST CHILDREN FIRST:
Get those sweet baby shots, and toddler shots done first! Then let those little ones play while the other children have their photos done. We then take some great family photos, and finally end on the couple shots. I have found that works best for us, the kids all play while Mike and I finish up with our photos. If you don’t have older children to help with the little ones, ask a friend to come with and help. As for the older children, let them have some fun and take some goofy shots, their personalities shine through and they have fun and gain confidence!
Here is a perfect example of just letting the teenagers have some fun, can you tell Mikey takes after his dad! Side note… he may be too big to be called Mikey! Holy cow he is growing up!
Tip Number Five: HAVE FUN and RELAX:
Enjoy it, relax and don’t worry. Just have fun with your family and encourage your photographer to get the not so perfect shots, your family will remember the photo shoot and all the fun they had or they will remember how stressed you were. So relax and enjoy it, and if everyone doesn’t smile perfectly that is okay too. When Lucy (now 7) was a baby, we did family pictures, she did not smile in one picture, not a single one. She was almost 2 and just was not having it at all. We love those pictures and often laugh about how cute and funny it was. You don’t want to regret a bad attitude that you remember every time you look at those beloved photographs.
You can see at this point, the little ones are done, Charli was running through the back of the picture and well Mike… he was having fun! But I love this picture, it is our crazy, fun family!
Joani did a fantastic job and I LOVE this picture!
I will be honest, one time Mike and I were not having a good day, and we had to do family pictures, we said a family prayer before we started, asking that things go smoothly and easily. That helped a lot and what also helped was me deciding to be kind. My attitude was important and so whatever the argument was I needed to just let it go. That day is long over and I am so glad I did “let it go” . I did not let it ruin the day, we have fun memories of that day and we have happy pictures! So just enjoy and have so much fun!
So there you have it! Five super simple and super easy Tips to get gorgeous family pictures!
Do you have any helpful hints for taking pictures? Funny stories? I would love to hear them! Or even better , see your family photos!! Feel free to comment below or share on instagram and tag fabulouschaosfamilypictures,
I hope you have a great day, I will be sharing our family pictures next week and I am so excited!! I will also be sharing a special offer from http://www.360elitephotography.com/ just for you, my sweet blog friends!
SMILE BOOK:
Homemade Beef Stew-yummy
Fall is here!
Played outside with the little ones for about two hours today!
Listening to little Hinckley snore… sweetest sound
Emma set the table… THANK YOU!
LOVE LOVE the pictures and the post
Raejean,
THANK YOU!!! So happy you loved it!
Find the Fabulous!
Lara
Great tips! I will definitely be using these!
Karissa @ OCD Kitchen recently posted…5 Out-of-the-Box Ways to Conquer Anxiety
Karissa,
YAY!! I hope I helped or at least got a bit more excited to take family pictures!! I really love that you popped by! THANK YOU!
Hugs,
Lara
Great tips! Gorgeous photos. I love the brick wall….I especially love the layers tips. Not if I could just find a way to keep my kids from giving bunny ears in every shot. :)
Jessie, flusteredmom recently posted…Nutrition: Cap’n Crunch Rebellion (childhood reclaimed)
Jessie,
I hear ya babe! I have more pictures to share and tips! One of those tips is that we do some crazy family shots! I let them do a few with the bunny ears and goofy faces! Sometimes, they end up really showing all the personalities! I am so glad you popped it! THANK YOU!
Hugs,
Lara
Thanks for the great ideas and sharing these beautiful photos.
Pavani,
I love your name! and thank you so much! I would love to hear if you use any of them!
hugs,
Lara
Great suggestions! Family photo days are always stressful for our family! I love your pictures!
Jen Schneider recently posted…Our Roadschooling Set-Up
Jen,
I know right! They can be so stressful! And you feel like you have this one shot! I hope you get to try some of the tips and I really hope they help!! I would love to see some!
HUGS!
Lara
Great tips! Reminds me that we are way overdue for family pics – I will be using some of these suggestions. Seems like I have to force the family into a photo session usually and that leaves me feeling a little less smiley. Maybe if I pick a really fun location …. Thanks for sharing Lara! :D
Diane recently posted…What’s Behind the Makeup?
Diane,
I hear you! I really do! Yes! Try something new, and mix it with what you are comfortable with, you may be pleasantly surprised!! Thanks for popping in!
Hugs,
Lara
Gorgeous photos for sure. I love your first tip, “Feed your family.” For me I would change that to, “feed yourself.” If I am hungry it is not a pretty site :) Love the pics. Wish Joanie was by me.
Tammy,
Thank you! Oh yes, feed yourself! Totally agree!! Joani is willing to travel! Thank you again!
Find the Fabulous!
Lara
Tammy, Thank you! I can get crabby too, I always eat when I feed my kids lol! And if I feel hungry, I always assume my kids are hungry too! Joani does travel!
She would love to come to you!
Hugs.
Lara
These are too cute. Love the different shots and poses. Also, the color coordination and choice of colors really makes the photo pop. Love it!
Deanna,
Thank you so much! I love that you love it! Colors are so fun to mix I think and say a lot about personalities! I hope you come back often!
Hugs,
Lara
I love your family so much,they are so cute,Lara,email me sometime @nickbent723@icloud.com
I love your family so much,they are so cute,Lara,email me sometime @nickbent723@icloud.com love you!
Nick Bent recently posted…5 tips for gorgeous family photos!
OH sweet Nick! I love you too! I will email you!! I hope you have a great day!!
Love,
Aunt Lara
I am so glad to have found your blog (especially this post!) I am a professional photographer and mom to 14 kids. I love these tips on how to get great family photos. We will be getting our family photos done when the weather warms up a bit and I am nervous. The hardest part? Coordinating outfits!
Renee,
Thank you!! I just read your post about letting kids fail! AND we have a Tucker too! Love it!! We ended up doing a color scheme, the girls matching dresses I found on sale for $4.97 from Walmart and we just used those as a starting point, that is my advice, just pick three colors you like and do varying shades, I should share our photos when we did shades of purple for girls and shades of blue for boys. It is hard to get that many people to match!! YOU CAN do it and I would love to see pictures!
Hugs,
Lara