How to take the AWESOMEST family photos

The photo above is one of my favourite photos from my family portrait session a few years ago, it was taken by my assistant Jessica at the time. I like it because my wife, Danah, is admiring my 1.5 dimples 🙂

Before a family portrait session, I would send an email to clients with a few tips to help them prepare for the shoot. Here are 3 things you can do to take the AWESOMEST family portraits ever.

Choose a Theme
Every family has something that makes them them. You know what I mean.Themes give you license to use props which make more interesting photos. Can you imagine a family that loves football; daddy in his team’s jersey, the children in theirs and mommy in a referee’s jersey with a whistle breaking up a dispute. You get the idea, fun and uni-que.
Choose a Location
Your theme will help you decide where is the best place to take photos. You don’t have to blow your budget to find a cool location. Most public parks charge a permit but I’m sure you can find a location that costs you $0.

Just give it a little thought. Think about it. That friend with the awesome backyard, that co-worker with a magazine looking Airbnb listing that’s unbooked or that cool staff lounge at the office.

An awesome location adds another dimension to your photos. Can you hear your friends and relatives saying “That’s so cool! I would have never even thought of that.”?
Review Your Outfits Together
The typical thing most families do is go with matchie matchie outfits that look like uniform. I get it, it’s safe … but does it really represent how unique each member of your family is?

Choose a colour scheme, include a few complimentary colours or varying shades of the same colour. Lay the outfits out on your bed, mix and match until it feels right and then ask your significant other to take a look and tell you what they think. If they like it you’re good to go … In my favourite photo, our main colour was blue.