How to Choose the Perfect Family Photography Style
Selecting a suitable photography style for your family feels like wandering through a complex maze without a guide. However, you can simplify the process to find the right photography style for your family.
The right photography style can:
- Capture your family’s unique personality
- Build memories that genuinely represent your personal identity
- Make everyone feel comfortable during the session
This guide will help you analyze the most popular family photography styles, guide you to select the perfect style for your family, and show you how to find the ideal photographer to meet your specific needs.
Inside This Guide:
- Popular Family Photography Styles Explained
- How to Match a Style to Your Family’s Personality
- Location and Setting Considerations
- What to Wear for Different Photography Styles
- Making the Most of Your Session
Popular Family Photography Styles Explained
We’ll review the primary photography styles you’ll encounter while searching for a family photographer.
Traditional/Classic Photography
Most people associate traditional portraiture with family photography when they imagine family portraits. It features:
- Family members stand in posed positions while facing the camera lens
- Formal composition and classic lighting
- Clean backgrounds with minimal distractions
- Professional studio settings (though not always)
Traditional photography remains popular because it produces images that maintain their appeal over time, whether displayed on walls or preserved in photo albums.
Lifestyle Photography
Recent online searches for family photos have likely shown you numerous examples of lifestyle photography. The highly favored style of lifestyle photography seeks to document natural and relaxed experiences.
In lifestyle sessions:
- During lifestyle photography shoots, the photographer offers subtle guidance instead of formal posing instructions.
- Lifestyle photography sessions typically occur at the client’s home or at outdoor locations that hold special significance.
- Images capture real interactions and emotions
- Photographers highlight the emotional bonds uniting family members in their images.
Many families choose an Eagle Family Photographer who specializes in lifestyle photography services and portfolios because it captures authentic moments while still looking polished and professional.
Documentary/Photojournalistic
Documentary family photography captures authentic moments by observing real-life events with minimal photographer intervention.
These sessions feature:
- No posing or direction – just authentic moments
- The photographer adopts a “fly on the wall” technique to observe the scene.
- Emphasis on storytelling and genuine emotion
- Often takes place during normal family activities
Through documentary family photography, you obtain a truthful and unedited documentation of family life. 78% of families in a recent survey indicated their preference for photos showing real emotions and interactions rather than perfectly posed images.
Fine Art Family Photography
If you want to explore a more artistic and distinctive approach to family photography, then fine art family photography could be the perfect option for you. This approach:
- Uses creative composition, lighting, and editing techniques
- Often incorporates artistic elements or concepts
- May include dramatic settings or styling
- The outcome of this photography style produces gallery-worthy images.
Families who value artistic expression will find fine art family photography to be their ideal choice because of its unique style.
How to Match a Style to Your Family’s Personality
Now that you’re familiar with the main styles, what process should you use to select the style that matches your family best? Here are some questions to consider:
1. What feels most natural to your family?
- Do you love being outdoors and active? Lifestyle or documentary might work best.
- Is your family more formal and traditional? Classic photography could be perfect.
- Are you artistic and expressive? Fine art photography might capture your essence.
2. What are your children’s temperaments?
- Children who are either at a young age or display high energy levels typically respond well to lifestyle or documentary photography styles.
- Children who have reached an older age and demonstrate the ability to follow instructions tend to perform well in posed photography situations.
- Blended photographic approaches work well for families with children of different ages.
3. What display format would you prefer for your photos?
- Large wall portraits? Traditional or fine art often works beautifully.
- Photo books or albums? Lifestyle or documentary tells a better story.
- Social media sharing? Consider what authentically represents your family online.
4. How comfortable are you when having your picture taken?
- Camera shy? Documentary approaches require less “performing.”
- Confident and expressive? Traditional portraiture could be an excellent choice for you if you feel confident and expressive.
Location and Setting Considerations
The location of your photography session plays a vital role in determining the appearance of your final images. Outdoor family photography sessions now appear more frequently as families choose natural settings to amplify the emotional impact in their portraits.
Studio Settings:
- Controlled lighting and environment
- Not affected by weather
- Great for traditional portraiture
Home Sessions:
- Comfortable and meaningful surroundings
- Authentic to your family life
- Perfect for lifestyle and documentary approaches
Outdoor Locations:
- Natural light creates beautiful images
- Children have additional room to run around and play outdoors.
- Seasonal backdrops add interest
Families today prefer to photograph at locations like parks and beaches because these environments create relaxed atmospheres that encourage natural, candid moments.
What to Wear for Different Photography Styles
The clothing you choose needs to work well with the photography style you have chosen.
Traditional Portrait Attire:
- Coordinated colors (not matching, but harmonious)
- Choose classic clothing pieces that remain stylish over time without featuring bold patterns or logos.
- Choose formal clothing styles such as dresses and button-down shirts, together with well-fitted pants.
- Neutral or soft color palettes
Lifestyle Session Clothing:
- Elevated versions of what you’d normally wear
- Comfortable but polished looking
- Layers and textures add visual interest
- Select colors that enhance the appearance of your home or outdoor surroundings.
Documentary Session Outfits:
- The apparel you would wear for the actual activity that will be photographed
- Authentic to your everyday life
- Comfortable for natural movement
- True to your personal style
Fine Art Session Styling:
- Often more dramatic or thematic
- May involve specific color palettes
- Could include statement pieces or accessories
- Discuss specific ideas with your photographer
Making the Most of Your Session
All these suggestions will ensure you have a smooth session regardless of your chosen style.
- Schedule smartly: Plan your photography session when your children have had enough sleep and food.
- Prepare everyone: Talk to kids about what to expect.
- Pack essentials: Bring snacks, water, and comfort items.
- Let go of “perfect”: Beautiful images often come from unplanned moments.
- Trust your photographer: Let them guide the process.
Market growth statistics demonstrate that families are progressively investing larger amounts in professional photography to document their distinctive stories and life milestones.
Wrapping Up Your Photo Journey
Finding the ideal family photography style requires understanding the authentic representation of your family.
Your choice of photography style should make your family feel comfortable, whether you opt for traditional portraiture’s polished look or lifestyle photography’s natural feel, as well as documentary’s raw honesty and fine art’s creative expression.
Photography styles frequently combine various elements since many photographers use features from multiple approaches.
Selecting a photographer whose work connects with your preferences, together with choosing a photography style that suits your family members, stands as the most critical element.
The essential question for reviewing your completed photos should not be about achieving perfection. The essential inquiry when reviewing your photos should focus on whether they authentically depict your family’s essence.
The true test of perfect family photography reveals whether images authentically represent your family’s identity.
