How To Take Your Own Family Photos

Selfies are great (to a certain extent)

If you’re the one with a keen eye for photography in the family, then there’s a good chance that you’re also the one who everyone asks to be behind the camera at a family gathering. While this is quite rewarding and allows you to interact with all your family members, there’s an essential factor to remember: you also need to be in the pictures. Sure, if you’re photographing your nephew’s first birthday, you aren’t the center of attention. But your own kids and partner will be more interested in having you in the photos right next to them.

The easiest way to be in the picture while being the photographer is by taking selfies. Although this is always a fun thing to do, it also means that photos with your family will always be at an arm’s (or selfie stick’s) length. Thankfully, there are a few options available that allow you to take pictures while posing with your family. You can use the built-in timer, a handheld remote, or take advantage of your camera’s built-in Wi-Fi to control it through your smartphone. You should also invest in a tripod, as nobody will be there to hold the camera in place. Of course, you can always get creative and use a stack of books for this purpose, but a tripod offers better control of the picture frame and is easier to use for outdoor pictures.

Let kids be kids

If you have small children, then you’ve probably gone through the ordeal of grabbing their attention for a quick picture more than once. Kids want to play, explore, and go on adventures. Sitting still while waiting for you to go through all your camera settings is not at the top of their favorite things to do. So, as the saying goes: if you can’t beat them, join them.

Instead of making a fuss and creating a stressful situation for everyone, just let kids play. Better yet, join the fun and play with them. You can either do a peek-a-boo session and take photos at the best times or set your camera to go off by itself and play together while staying in frame. True, there will be more outtakes than if you were behind the camera, but it’s a far more enjoyable experience and you’ll get shots that you wouldn’t get otherwise. The best part is that your kids will be more cooperative afterward and probably won’t mind sitting for a few minutes for you to take some family portraits.

Bring the pets

Pets are some of the cutest and funniest things in the world. If you have one, then you probably see them as part of the family so don’t leave them out when you’re doing a family photoshoot. There are various tricks to grab their attention and take those Instagram-worthy photos.

Have fun!

The most important thing is to have fun! You’re taking pictures with your family, so take advantage of that to make some lovely memories. Make silly faces, play with your kids, tell some jokes, anything that will lift everyone’s spirits. Having fun makes excellent pictures. It helps everyone to be more comfortable around the camera, which increases the likelihood of taking those candid shots that showcase your family at its best. Happy shooting!