Getting Candid Family Photos | Bend Lifestyle Family Photography

Blowing bubbles together in a cozy, in-home lifestyle session.

The best photos aren’t the ones with your family staring at the camera.

While everyone’s faces smiling at the camera will always hold a place within lifestyle family photography, those are not my favorite moments caught on camera. And speaking from 7+ years of experience as a family photographer, usually it’s the unexpected moments that families end up loving best in their photos.

While many people call these "candid" photos, that's not entirely correct. A more accurate term for these photographs is "genuine" because even though the feelings and reactions are real, they’re usually prompted by something that happened before the camera clicked.

A simple activity (like blowing bubbles) can get everyone’s focus off the camera.

Most of the time when someone is staring at the camera, it’s either because they were trained to automatically smile for the camera (parents are often guilty of this), or they feel uncomfortable, so they watch what the camera is doing. Creating a space where people feel comfortable being photographed can be challenging. With over seven years of industry experience (and many more as an informal educator), I'll make sure the tone of your session is just right.

Here are three tried and true methods for getting your family to lose focus of the camera and instead pay attention to each other during lifestyle sessions.

There are lots of different ways to use each of these methods, so I’ll give a few examples for each one.

Method #1: Give a Prompt before snapping a photo.

This method is very common among photographers, especially ones who are beginning in the industry or running tight session timelines (ex. minis). But not to knock prompts - sometimes there are some that are gold and work over and over, no matter what else is happening in a session.

Prompts that leave room for variety:

Sometimes oldies are always going to be goodies, too. Solid prompts that tend to work are: “run to mom and dad!”; “uh oh, mommy/daddy is going to get you!”; and “hey, remember the days before kids?” (Parents always, always laugh at the last one.)

These are typically prompts that a photographer would use for a family session. If you’re the family in front of the lens, you can still use prompts to bring everyone’s attention back to each other. Parents, you can try questions like, “who has the stinkiest feet?” or “what’s your favorite thing we’ve done this year?” Getting someone to think about something other than the camera can get your genuine moments back on track quickly.

Mother tickling toddler’s toes in a lifestyle family session.

Method # 2: Do an activity during your family session.

Activities require some planning and more skill on the photographer’s part. Not every activity is going to fit the family, and photographing activities well takes a creative eye.

Beloved family activities that translate well on camera:

Sometimes simple, classic activities are going to be the best option. Think blowing bubbles (always a winner for babies and young children); baking something together (keep in mind, the baked product is not the desired end result, but the interaction while making it is); and playing music together. There’s a lot of ways families can interact during these activities, and a lot of ways a photographer can get creative with telling the story through these activities.

Looking for some more locally-inspired activity ideas to get your creative juices flowing? Check out this article and start brainstorming possibilities for your family in Bend.

Method #3: Play a Game to add energy to your session.

This method is the hardest of all three because it involves setting up an age-appropriate game and photographing it in an aesthetically pleasing manner. Directions need to be clear so that the family can carry on without the photographer micro-managing it. The game needs to be enticing so that the kids want to play it. Finally, the photographer needs to know (ahead of time) how to place themselves to capture the moments as they unfold.

Play-based games that work well for family photos

Games on camera need to have an anchor point that keeps everyone within a designated space. Some examples are:

Red Light, Green Light - This is a great game for larger families (think 3+ kids). A stoplight caller is chosen, and everyone else stands on a starting line. The caller yells out “green light” while faced away from the group - everyone can start running towards the caller. The caller shouts “red light!” as they turn around, and everyone must stop. If the caller spots anyone moving, that person gets sent back to the starting line. The first person to reach the caller wins. (In this game, the stoplight caller is the anchor point)

Follow the Leader (the leader is the anchor point, and you can further connect bodies by linking arms or hands)

I Spy (gather everyone together to play, like laying or sitting together, creates a natural anchor point with bodies linked).

See behind the scenes of what an outdoors play-based session looks like in action here. Or if you need ideas for games you can play during an in-home lifestyle session, check out this short list for some ideas to get the ball rolling.

Playing “Red Light, Green Light” during a Proof of Mom: Motherhood Session.

Bonus Method #4: Read the Room during a family photoshoot.

Reading the room means paying attention to what’s unfolding during the session - and knowing when to stop what’s not working. If a prompt, activity, or game falls flat - or worse, creates friction - then it is time to pivot. Changing course could look like switching to a different idea, letting the kids lead for a bit, or taking a step back to allow something quieter to settle into the moment.

The method(s) used in a family session to create space for genuine moments will depend on the experience of the photographer; it should also depend on the vibe of the family and what’s happening in the session. If a photographer has done their homework and gotten to know a bit about the family prior to the session, then it is easier to pick which method(s) to try and have a game plan ready to go.

Which method I reach for depends on the family’s vibe and what’s actually happening in the session.

When I’ve done my homework — learning a little about your routines, your kids’ quirks, and what you value — I come in with a game plan and the flexibility to change it. The result is a session that feels easy and true, not forced, and photos that reflect who you are in this season.

If you've ever had a family photo session that felt awkward or uncomfortable, you're not alone. I've spent the past seven years refining my process for photographing families to better capture genuine moments. If you've found yourself unhappy with a session or didn't truly love the photos you paid for, you might not have found the right photographer yet. Interested in booking a lifestyle family photo session in Central Oregon? Learn more about how I can serve you here.

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