The key to having genuine and authentic family photos that really capture who you are as a family is to have a basic idea of how to pose.

If you’ve never had professional family photos before or if you want to make sure that you get awesome photos in your next session, here is some ideas on how to pose that will leave you with amazing images.

Get Close

The secret to creating a beautiful, intimate family photo is to get close. Snuggle up with the people you love if you want the best photos. If there are people of varying heights in the photo, take a few photos on the same level so that you can get your heads close together too.

Your photographer should position you in various positions, sitting and then standing or using props to help with height differences. It’s a good idea to look at examples on their website to see that they are photographing people in different ways.

Have Fun

Your photos always look more authentic when your family is genuinely having fun and laughing. Spend time talking about your favorite vacation or a memory that makes you all laugh out loud. These candid moments always make for the best photos.

I recommend everyone looking at the camera, & then looking at each other, then look back at the camera. When you look at each other you will naturally laugh, and the next photo looking at the camera always looks more relaxed.

Keep it Natural

When you overthink posing, it takes away from the genuineness of your photos, which is why it helps to shoot your family photos in a setting where you’re all comfortable and where you can go about your lives as naturally as possible. For example, if you’re in an outdoor setting, your photographer will recommend going for a walk. If you’re shooting in a studio, make sure that there is a homely feel to the images rather than just a plain white backdrop. A homely feel will mean you are most relaxed during your session.

Use Your Surroundings

Very often, standing upright in the middle of a room or garden will make your photos look and feel stiff. Your photographer should suggest standing in different spots, or sitting or lying down. For example, if there’s a wall in the vicinity, lean up against it. If there’s a couch available, pose on that for a few shots. If you see the photographer uses a bed to pose families, you know those photos will be more relaxed and intimate.

Make Use of Props

If you would like to change things up a bit or give a younger child something to do, you can also always incorporate a few basic props into your photos to get a few non-standard shots. In our studio, we often get kids to jump on the bed or on our couch, so they can relax and have fun during your session.

If you still have questions about your shoot and how to get the exact kind of photos you are looking for, let us know and we will be happy to assist you with additional tips.