How to get naturally emotive portraits with kids!
Photographing families with kids of any age can be a challenge, but it’s one I love, and it’s something I’m pretty good at. I recently had a session with a mom and and her three boys, and the older two were NOT having it. They just weren’t getting along which made the whole session a little chaotic. Here’s the thing. This happens all the time! Kids are kids. They are going to fight, they are going to complain about having to get photos done. And you’re going to have to work through that and perform anyway. That’s what Mom and Dad pay you for! Soooo, here are three easy tips to make it happen…
1. Know your equipment inside and out.
This seems like it should be self explanatory, but you really should be so comfortable with your camera that you’re not even thinking about it. Dialing in settings and changing things on the fly should literally be second nature. Kids aren’t going to wait, or “redo” something adorable because you’re trying to get your camera settings right. If you feel like you’re not as comfortable as you should be, read your camera’s manual. It’s not the most exciting reading material, but the more you know about your gear the better. Another thing I do with each of my cameras is set up the customizable buttons. I have 3-4 custom buttons set up on each of my camera bodies which means I have a super simple short cut to the settings I adjust the most. Focus Area (usually set to spot focus), Focus Mode (usually set to Auto Focus Continuous), and Drive Mode (usually set to Continuous Shooting: Lo). I also have a forth button set up on my primary camera to switch eyes for the Eye Auto Focus feature. I have both dials on each camera set up to control aperture and shutter speed settings as well. I very rarely have to go into my camera’s main menu to change settings, which is great because I don’t have time to click through a bunch of menu pages when I’m working with kiddos!
This guy’s ADORABLE little smile lasted for about 3 seconds before he got upset again. If I didn’t know what I was doing, I definitely would have missed it.
2. You have to be willing to get on their level.
I don’t mean physically, though that’s pretty important too. I mean MENTALLY. You have to get WEIRD. You have to be willing to make an absolute fool of yourself. I burp out loud on command, I talk about butts and farts and boogers, I dance and sing and tell silly secrets, I make up words, etc. It’s absolutely vulgar and ridiculous sometimes, but Mom and Dad aren’t going to judge you, they just want the shot. That’s what they’re paying you for! Now every kid is different and some will not like the burping or will OVER react to something silly, so you have to gauge your audience. I usually start by asking the kiddo “What if I burped right now…out loud…without milk or soda or anything?! What that make you laugh or would that be totally gross?” The verbal answer isn’t really important, but the way they physically react totally is. They may say “that would be totally gross” but have a huge smile on their face as they say it. If that’s the case, I’m giving them a burp. If they look at me with wide eyes and glance at Mom and Dad for help, they’re probably going to be uncomfortable instead of finding it hilarious, so I’ll move on and try something else. At this particular shoot, “butt booger” was the word of the day. We made it up, and every time I said it out loud, the boys just laughed and laughed. You’ve got to be willing to be a total idiot. Hahaha.
Clearly I’ve just done something totally ridiculous. I’m either talking about butt boogers or burping on command. And the resulting image is naturally fun and emotive.
3. Don’t be above bribery.
There’s typically a bribe or two at every one of my sessions. “If you do this, I’ll give you that when we’re done.” Delayed gratification can be hard for kiddos, but it usually works. I always have snacks and treats on hand in the studio, and 9 times out of 10 I’ll offer to let the older kids take some photos with my big camera at the end of the shoot. They LOVE this. They want to push the buttons and be the photographer, and they’ll generally behave for you if you keep dangling that carrot in front of them. Your equipment should be insured just in case, but I’ve never had an issue. I’m always close by to make sure nothing gets dropped or broken.
Showing big brother the ropes.
Taking some very specific creative direction from the photographer. He had ideas!
So here are a few favorites from my example session referenced above. Were there tears? Yep. Was there fighting? 100%. Was there even a little bit of yelling? You betcha. But would you EVER even know that based on these images? Absolutely not!
The R Family on St Pete Beach
When the entire family is together for the first time in ages, you book a photo shoot! Half of this group came all the way from L.A, and then the poor baby got super sick. She clearly isn’t feeling well here, but she was a little trooper about it. She went straight back to the room for some rest after this. Her older cousins managed to have a ball though <3
The U Family at Philippe Park
A handful of favorites from our Petite Session with the U Family. I met these guys when I photographed their oldest as a newborn! And now they’re a gorgeous family of five!! One of the best parts of my job is watching beautiful families grow and change over the years. It never gets old <3
What's In My Bag?
I love these kinds of posts, and I’ve never done one! Whether you’re a fellow photog by trade, or a hobbyist who loves to drool over gear, this post is for you. Haha. I don’t have a ton of equipment, but I love love love what I do have, so I’m always happy to chat gear. I’m linking each piece to amazon so you can research any specs you want.
Camera Bodies
Sony a7iv - My main camera. There’s so much to love about it. The main reason I switched to Sony years ago was their advanced eye auto focus features, and things just keep getting better and better with every new model. The speed with which it focuses is so crucial when you’ve got young subjects who are constantly moving. And I prefer this model to the a7Riv because I just don’t need the insane resolution that comes along with that “R”. In fact, I find it to be a henderance since I’m generally taking hundreds of photos at each session. I don’t want to fill up memory cards too fast, and none of my clients are printing billboard sized photographs. Hahaha. I’ve printed up to 30x40 without any issue whatsoever.
Sony a7iii - Now my secondary camera, but this was my main camera after switching from Canon.
Lenses
Sony 24-70 2.8 GM - On my camera 99.9% of the time. I love it. There’s a newer model of this same lens now, and I’m sure I’ll upgrade at some point, but for now, this one suits me just fine. It takes phenomenal portraits with multiple subjects (families) and it’s tack sharp. Though quite heavy, it’s my number one lens.
Sony 55 1.8 ZA - On my secondary camera 99.9% of the time. I love this focal length for portraits of 1-2 people, and anything Zeiss will hit it out of the park. On top of image quality, the lens itself is small and light, which makes it easier to work with over long periods.
Sony 90 Macro - I go through macro phases where I’ll shoot a bunch of macro stuff for a few weeks and then I won’t touch it for six months. Ha. When I’m shooting macro though, I’m usually using this lens. So so sharp.
Lensbaby Velvet 56 - I have to have at least one Lensbaby at any given time, and this one is my favorite over the years. I love the velvet effect, the focal length is perfect, and it’s also a fantastic macro lens!
Zeiss Batis 85 1.8 - I’ll be perfectly honest. I never use this lens. HAHAHA. I’m just more comfortable in the 50mm range when I shoot… I prefer to be in closer proximity to my subject. That being said, I can’t get rid of it. Like I said, anything Zeiss is droolworthy and I feel like the second I get rid of of it I’ll need it. So, for now, its sits on my desk waiting for a special occasion. The portraits you can take with this lens are insane.
Lighting
Profoto B10 - This light changed my life. Haha. I was so hesitant to embrace artificial light for the longest time, but I LOVE LOVE LOVE this thing. I only use artificial lighting in the studio, which seems crazy because the natural light in the studio is so magical. BUT, when I use the light in conjunction with that magical natural light, my white balance is ALWAYS accurate and I don’t have to spend a ton of time in post getting my colors just right. It also gives me more control of my light, I can fill in shadows, I can change the direction of my light source, I can manipulate it to add more drama if I want, etc. I love closing the window blinds and using just my lighting gear to play around. Profoto is an expensive brand, but there is no one that even TOUCHES their quality and ease of use. So if you’re in the market, spend the money.
Profoto A2 - This one is BRAND SPANKING NEW for me, and I haven’t really had a lot of time to play around with it. I’m so excited to about this light though! The “click” series of light modifiiers seems like a dream, and if it’s as wonderful as I think it is, I may start bringing this one to outdoor sessions with me too (it’s a lot smaller). I haven’t decidied yet, but I’ll keep you posted!
Profoto Umbrellas - These are the light modifiers I use. It’s helps soften the light so nothing looks too “flashy.”
Let's Get Dressed Together! What To Wear For Family Photos : Spring/Summer 2023
The age old question. The most stressful part of the whole process (usually)…. WHAT DO WE WEAR???
I totally understand, and I’ve got you covered. I’m going to walk you through it from start to finish, and give you plenty of examples along the way.
First and foremost, I’ll usually pick ONE statement piece. One outfit that I totally love and want to center everybody else’s outfits around. This somehow usually ends up being one of the kiddos’ outfits, but don’t forget about yourself! Is there a piece on the list that you love for YOU that will make YOU feel a little more confident on picture day? If so, START WITH THAT ONE. I’ve put together a pretty little mood board with mostly current wardrobe options that you can click and purchase right now if you’d like. Spring and Summer are warmer months here in Tampa, so I’ve kept that in mind, but click and explore and see where the algorithm takes you! Find your statement piece! I’ve linked the board below or you :)
For example, I’m starting with this cute little outfit (for a little girl):
After you have your statement piece, pick 2-3 colors that you want to use across the board. In my example, I’ve kept to pinks and greens that have earthy tonal qualities. Keep in mind that you may want to hang the final product in frames around your house, so make sure you pick colors that will look good as part of your home’s decor. Your statement piece should obviously jibe with these colors as well. Now, start shopping for everyone else using varying shades of that color pallet, and be sure to mix it up with patterns and solids (typically 1-2 patterned pieces are plenty). You also want to make sure that you incorporate a LOT of neutral pieces as well. You don’t want everyone wearing nothing but the colors you chose. You want pops of those colors amongst neutral options like denim, khaki, and cream.
Once you’ve made your selections, lay everything out together on the bed or the floor so you can see how it all looks together. This is where you’ll start accessorizing and layering. Is there a cardigan you can throw over someone that will help everything blend? Do you need an extra splash of color in your earrings or necklace? Don’t forget about shoes (unless we’re shooting at the beach of course)! Textures and layers and pops of color here and there will really help the over-all aesthetic of your family’s photos, so take your time and have some fun!
At this point, you should be good to go. But you can always send me a picture of your wardrobe ahead of time, and I’ll be happy to give you my 2 cents. I also have an online styling tool that I give all of my clients access to that makes this part a piece of cake. You literally just tell it the age and gender of everyone being photographed, pick a couple of colors, and let the algorithm show you a bunch of really cool options. You can select everyone’s outfits, see them side by side, and even order them online directly from that site. The link and access code to utilize this tool is included in my Welcome Guide and most of my clients really love it :) Big thanks to Style and Select for making that site a reality!
My last little piece of advice doesn’t really involve wardrobe, but it is important! Make sure everyone’s hair appointments are scheduled 2-3 weeks before the shoot. Far enough ahead of time that you have a chance to settle into your look, but not so long that mama has roots showing.
OK! I think you’re ready to do this! Give yourself plenty of time to plan, and have fun! Text me photos if you need to, and I’ll see you on session day!
The A Family at Philippe Park
Dad gifted Mom a family photo session for Christmas, you guys. How sweet is that? They were the absolute cutest…with a 3 month old and a 3 year old. Here are some of my favorites from our afternoon together at Philippe Park :)
Four Things To Avoid At Your Family Photo Session
I’ve been photographing families for close to 10 years now, and I’ve learned a few things along the way. There’s not much I advise against when it comes to photographing your family, I want to capture who you are!!! Personalities and all!! But there are a few things I try to avoid, and I wanted to share them here since they can literally make or break your family photos.
#1: Yelling
Kids are kids. They are inevitably going to have moments where they get a little wild or don’t listen right away. But your mood is contagious, and if you let the situation get the best of you and yell at your kiddos, they’re going to get upset and we’ll have a hard time recovering. That being said, if they get too wild, I do need mom and dad to step in and give them some stern direction. But the tone of your voice makes all the difference. Instead of yelling or threatening punishment, be assertive but kind…or even bribe them with the possibility of a reward if they behave for a few more minutes. I am certainly not suggesting that I know how to deal with your child better than you do, I just know from experience that once we cross a certain line, it’s hard to get them back. So for the hour or so we’re together, I ask that the discipline be on the gentler side. Nobody wants family photos with a crying kiddo. Prepping them for what to expect ahead of time (if they’re old enough to understand) is also a great idea. We’ll be done in an hour or less, and it sometimes takes some effort to keep our own emotions in check when things seem like total shit show, but I promise we will get some great photos if we can work together to keep the kids happy, but in line.
#2 Toys
If we’re photographing babies or toddlers, its always good to have a toy on standby. But don’t bust it out unless we really really need it!!! Once they have that toy they love, they aren’t going to want to give it up (yes, this includes screens!!!). And I doubt you want that toy included in the family portrait. I’ve had situations where a kiddo gets a toy at the very beginning of the session, and then when I try to take it away so I can snap a photo, a full on tantrum ensues. Yikes! I have no shame while I’m working and will act like a total fool to get your kiddo to smile (or at least not be fussy). So let me try my own bag of tricks first. If I need that toy, I will ask you for it. Another pointer is if you think a toy will be necessary, try to bring one that is super minimalist. Wooden toys with no color are a great option, since they don’t really ruin the family photo. I’ll link a few of my favorites here for you in case you think it will be helpful on picture day.
Wooden Cars: https://a.co/d/cDxf9gS
Wooden Animals: https://a.co/d/aqie8ao
Wooden Camera: https://a.co/d/7mtkOlX
Wooden Rattle: https://a.co/d/4d5yox4
#3 Messy Snacks
I always ask parents to bring water and snacks to our sessions. Sometimes kiddos need a pick me up (don’t we all?). BUT, please don’t bring anything messy. Preferably, those snacks will be something you can hand over one at a time, like fruit snacks or puffs, instead of giving them something in the wrapper. Wrappers are pretty ugly if they end up in the shot, ya know? But if you have a pack of fruit snack behind your back and just hand over one at time as needed, it’s much more discreet. Most of the time, you won’t even know snacks were involved! Another thing to keep in mind is how those snacks will look IN their mouth. Goldfish are great, but they tend to stick around in their teeth for a bit. If they give me that award winning laugh/smile and there is yellow goldfish all in their teeth, there’s not much I can do about that in photoshop.
#4 Matching Outfits
Gone are the days of everyone showing up for photos with jeans and white shirts. I know it may be tempting, and if I’m being honest, my own parents have portraits like this from our childhood hung all over their walls. BUT, if you’re hiring me, it’s because you’ve seen my portfolio and you like what you see. As silly as it may seem, your wardrobe choices are a big part of that final result. There needs to be some contrast. Everyone matching will make for pretty boring photos, no matter how I pose you. So choose 2-3 colors that you like (that would look good on your walls at home), and have everyone wear something different in varying shades of those colors. Mix up patterns and solids, and definitely throw in some neutrals as well (jeans, khaki pants, a few cream or white pieces here and there). Trust me, you’ll thank me later! When families book a session with me, they automatically get access to my online styling website, which makes this part easy. You pick a few colors, you pick a style (boho/romantic, casual, preppy/formal, etc), and the website shows you a ton of clothing options with links to purchase those items directly from the vendor! You can even see everyone’s outfits side by side on the website so you know what everything looks like together!
OK! There you have it! It’s certainly not a long list since I want you guys to be yourselves on photo day, but these four things are game changers in my opinion. I hope it helps! Now, are you ready to book your photoshoot? AWESOME! Click the button below to get in touch and we’ll set it all up!
Becky and Jake's Mommy and Me Photoshoot!
Becky and Jake came to studio and NAILED this mommy and me session! We had some snacks, read some books, went through allll the 3 year old emotions, and I love every single image :)
My FIVE Favorite Outdoor Locations for Family Photos!
The Tampa area has sooooo many great backdrops for your family photography session. I’ve been shooting families in this area for close to ten years now, and have shot in too many places to count. But I’ve narrowed down my five FAVORITES for you here, and I’ve included a few examples for each. Hopefully it will inspire you when it’s time to update those family photos!
#5
St Pete Beach (behind the Don Cesar)
You just can’t go wrong with a classic Gulf Beach photo shoot. I mean, we live where people vacation! But the Don Cesar is also pretty iconic and I like having the option to shoot in both directions. We can get those classic beach shots, with the sunset behind you in all it’s glory, but also some with the “Pink Palace” as a backdrop (which changes the lighting and feel of your photograph altogether). All of our Gulf Beaches are lovely, but this one is my favorite for family photos. Full disclosure though, parking is a nightmare unless you pay the $22 parking fee at the Don.
#4
Downtown St Pete
Downtown St Pete is cool because you get the downtown/urban vibe, but it’s VERY Florida. There are boats and marinas everywhere, old trees, street murals…the possibilities are endless. Parking is pretty reliable too, unless there is an event or market planned, so I always check ahead for sessions here. Vinnoy Park and Straub Park are my go-to meet up spots!
#3
Philippe Park in Safety Harbor
So many pros to this location and very few cons. It’s beautiful in a romantic, boho sort of way. Lot’s of old mossy oak trees, a stone staircase, and an open field area. It’s also well shaded, so it’s a great spot if we need to shoot earlier in the day due to baby’s schedule. In the Fall season it can get a little overcrowded with photographers, but that’s just a testament to it’s beauty I think :)
#2
Fort Desoto Park in St Pete
I LOVE this spot because it’s not your traditional “beach.” There are concrete slabs along the shoreline that we can climb and incorporate into the frame, which helps with a more candid, carefree look. We had our own family photos done here a few years ago and they’re still some of my favorites! There is a bit of a walk to access this spot (maybe a quarter of a mile?), but it’s flat and easy. Park entry it about $4 per car I believe.
#1
Curtis Hixon Park in Downtown Tampa
This is my number one favorite place to photograph. The parking is easy, there are lots of neutrals with all of the concrete buildings around (it’s a very urban vibe), and Kiley Gardens and the Riverwalk are right there as well. At dusk, the city lights pop on which is really pretty if we time it just right. The only downside is that there are events in this park quite often, so I always try to book around that. Most of the spots I prefer to use are not affected by events, but the crowds in the general area can be annoying.
And there you have it, friends. My top five favorite spots for family photos in and around Tampa, FL. I hope it helps! I love photographing families around town, so if you want to get on the calendar for a session at one of these places, hit me up!
The H Family at Philippe Park - Tampa Family Photography
I love this family oh so much, and they get cuter every single year it seems! You know how some people are just effortlessly cool and put together? Yeah..I present to you, the H Family <3 <3 Picture Perfect!
