DIY Family Photos: 8 Amazing Tips For a Successful Shoot

With a national pandemic still in effect, many of us have resorted to taking our own holiday family photos this year. I know the thought of capturing photos yourself can seem daunting, especially if you have little ones, but what if I told you it doesn’t have to be stressful? This is my second year shooting our family photos and I’ve learned several great tips and tricks along the way. Below, I’ve put together a guide to help you land some amazing shots, whether capturing DIY family photos for the holiday season or another time during the year!

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Tip #1 – Choosing Your Location:

• When capturing family photos, the most critical step is the location. It plays a crucial role in not only the tone of the photos, but also what outfits you should wear. Last year we took our family photos at a local park. Because of the nature of the environment, casual clothing worked best. This year we took our photos at the Lincoln Memorial which called for a more formal look. When determining the location, remember that less is more. Opt for locations with non-distracting backdrops so that it doesn’t take away from your family. Also, avoid busy areas where bystanders could become a distraction in the background. Below are my top locations for outdoor holiday photos:
  • Forest/Field/Wooded area
  • Bridges
  • Outdoor staircase
  • Front porch
  • Nearby park
  • Downtown
  • Gazebo
  • National Mall (If you’re local to Washington, D.C.)

• Don’t feel the need to get outdoors for your family photos. Sometimes the inside of your home also makes the perfect backdrop! Most of us have spent the majority of 2020 indoors, so what better way to capture holiday photos than inside your own home? Here are my top locations for indoor holiday photos:
  • Seated in front of the Christmas tree
  • Seated (or standing) on a staircase
  • Seated (or standing) on front porch
  • Seated on bed with a decorated background
  • Seated by fireplace or underneath a decorated mantel
  • Standing in entryway
  • Candid photos in the kitchen

Tip #2 – Time of Day:

• Whether shooting indoor or outdoors, the time of day plays such an important role in determining the outcome of your photos. My rule of thumb is to always aim for natural lighting. When capturing photos outdoors, aim for shooting during the “Golden Hour”, which is right before the sun rise/right before the sun set. Capturing photos during the Golden Hour helps produce a softer/warmer light which accentuates your skin. You can learn more about the Golden Hour here. When capturing photos indoors, try to shoot in a room that offers great natural lighting, such as a room with large windows.

• Try to find shaded areas to help diffuse the harsh sunlight. If you cannot find shade, try placing your backs at an angle to the sun so that your faces are shaded.

• Choosing the right time of day is not only important for lighting purposes, but it also helps avoid additional people in the background of your photos. We arrived to the Lincoln Memorial at 8:00 am and to my surprise, there was quite the crowd. Luckily, the memorial is fairly large so we were able to find a spot free from tourists. If you’re shooting at an unfamiliar location, try scoping the place out ahead of time to get a feel for what the crowds are like during different hours of the day.

Tip #3 – Coordinating Outfits:

• Now that you have your time and location set, the next important step is determining your outfits. Coordinating clothing makes for the most aesthetically pleasing photos. My biggest tip is to focus on a cohesive color palette. This year, we went with with emerald green, gold and black. I always decide on my outfit first (since it’s the easiest) and then build Nori’s and TJ’s outfits from there. If shooting indoors, I love the cozy look of matching pajamas!
• Here’s a great guide that may help you when deciding on coordinating outfit colors:

• Comfort is key! If your outfit is uncomfortable, there’s a good chance it will come across on camera. If shooting outdoors, make sure that your outfit is suitable for walking. We parked a half mile from the Lincoln Memorial and I quickly realized that my dress wasn’t “walking friendly”. It gave little room to move my legs without tripping, making the trek across D.C. unbearable. If you plan on wearing heels, be sure to bring a pair of flats or sneakers to slip into while walking to your destination.

Tip #4 – Poses:

• Posing in front of the camera can be unsettling, even when taking your own photos. I often times find myself wondering what to do with my hands and how I should smile. Over the years, I’ve learned that natural poses always photograph best. If you’re nervous while posing, it will definitely show on camera. Try to relax and stick with poses that feel most natural to you.
• When shooting with Nori, TJ and I love to focus on her rather than smiling directly at the camera. Motion shots are also a great option when shooting with little ones. Walking towards the camera holding hands and jumping in unison make excellent family photos!
• Pinterest is a great resource for poses! Create a board filled with some of your favorite poses to help during the day of your shoot.
• Remember to take several photos before switching to the next pose to ensure you got a great shot.

Tip #5 – Take Test Shots:

• I had to learn the hard way how important test shots are. There’s nothing worse than shooting for twenty minutes just to realize everyone wasn’t in frame or the photos are over/under exposed.
• Before beginning, get everyone into position. Stay behind to take a couple test shots so that you can adjust the camera lighting, shutter speed, etc. before you take the real photos. Once you’re satisfied with the settings, hop into the frame and use your camera remote (see tip #7) to snap the rest of the photos.

Tip #6 – Best Practices For Photographing Children:

• Props – The younger the child, the less patience they usually have for photos. Having something available to distract them, such as props, may keep them content long enough to get some quality shots. The great thing about holiday photos is there are tons of holiday-friendly props you can use that will blend seamlessly with the occasion. Candy canes, wreaths, Santa hats, and even ornaments all make great props.
• Snacks – Having snacks and treats on hand can help when the little one is becoming frustrated and antsy.
• Bring helping hands – If possible, bring a friend or family member with you (while also following social distancing guidelines) to help with capturing your photos. Last year, I shot our photos alone and it was pretty difficult getting both Nori and our dog to look at the camera. This year, I brought my mom and sister along to help our shoot go a lot smoother.
• When in doubt, choose candids – Often times, it’s difficult getting a child to sit still long enough for a photo. It’s even harder getting them to naturally smile. When photographing Nori, I always opt for candid moments. We love chatting and singing with her during the shoot to keep her engaged and smiling which always results in great photos. Her choice of song is currently “Baby Shark”. I’m pretty sure we sung it at least 22 times during our shoot.
• Don’t stress + Have fun! – If you’re a parent, you know by now that children are unpredictable. One moment they’re all smiles and within a split second, they’re having a full-blown melt down. Remember to take a deep breath and just go with the flow. The more natural your child can be during the photoshoot, the better the outcome. Allow them to take the lead. By giving them the freedom to play with props and express their personality, you’ll be able to capture some pretty amazing photos.

Tip #7 – Camera Equipment:

• I’m a huge advocate of using what you have. Although I own a professional camera, some of my favorite photos have come straight from my iPhone. Whether shooting family photos with my phone or digital camera, my two must have items are a tripod and bluetooth remote. Below are the exact items I use:
  • Cell Phone Tripod
  • Digital Camera Tripod
  • Cell Phone Bluetooth Remote (honestly the best $9 I’ve ever spent)
  • Digital Camera Bluetooth Remote
• Digital Camera: My first DSLR camera was a Nikon D3200 which is a great starter camera and extremely user-friendly. I owned my Nikon for 7 years before upgrading to my current camera – a Sony A7III. Full transparency – this is definitely a pricey camera, but if photography is a passion of yours, it’s definitely worth the purchase. I shoot most of my photos (including this years holiday photos) with a 50mm lens. If you’re thinking about purchasing a camera, check out this guide for a list of beginner friendly DSLR’s that won’t break the bank.

Tip #8 – Photo Editing Apps:

• Lightroom Mobile is my go-to app for quickly adding a preset to my photos. I can’t express enough how much presets can completely transform your photos. A preset is a predefined edit (or filter) that you can apply to your photos to ensure they all have similar editing. I created my own personal preset, but Etsy is a great resource for finding presets under $5! Here are a few of my favorites:
  • Woodlands
  • Film Noir
  • Vintage Mood
  • Lifestyle
  • Holiday
  • Light & Airy
• This guide explains in greater detail what presets are and how to use them. Below, I’ve included before and after photos from our holiday photoshoot using my preset:

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• Other great editing apps I often use are Retouch for removing unwanted objects (such as people), PicsArt, and VSCO.

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I hope you found these tips helpful and are inspired to shoot your own family photos! Below, I leave you with a few of my favorite shots from this years holiday shoot and a view of our 2020 Christmas card.

Wishing you and your family a wonderful and safe holiday season!

Xo,

Brooke

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