Capture the Perfectly Imperfect Moments This Fall During Your Big Family Session

Are you preparing to corral your big, boisterous family for that annual photo shoot this fall? Don't stress! Capturing your group can be natural and fun.

Keep It Casual

Embrace the beauty of candid moments by encouraging your family members, cough cough especially the men, to relax and be themselves. Tell them it's ok to smile, kiss, hug, laugh, etc! When everyone feels comfortable, genuine smiles and interactions shine through in your images. This large family group session from last fall was one of my favorite large groups I've photographed. They knew they wanted to keep it casual and fun, and wanted their images to reflect their personalities.

Embrace the Chaos

Large family gatherings can be a whirlwind of activity, and that's the magic you want to capture! Instead of focusing on perfect poses, let the chaos unfold naturally. Whether it's your toddler's tantrum or a family member's silly joke, the candid moments of that temporary toddler stage or the snorts from a joke, will be what you treasure when you look back at your images.

Capturing Connections

While group shots are the point of the large family session, don't forget to focus on smaller family groupings and individual portraits. These shots often capture the unique bonds and personalities within your family. Be sure to communicate with your photographer before your session and during to remind her of the smaller groupings you would like photographed. I absolutely love photographing large families BUT when there are a bunch of smaller family units within the big group, it is so helpful to have a family member reminding me of the smaller shots that are wanted.

So remember, the key to a successful large family photoshoot is to embrace imperfection and authenticity. Those genuine moments of laughter, playfulness, and even the occasional mishap are what make your family's story come alive in your photographs. Relax, have fun, tell jokes, laugh and let the connection of your family shine through!

Capture the Perfectly Imperfect Moments This Fall During Your Big Family Shoot