Posing and Directing Subjects in Lifestyle Family Photography

San Antonio, TX Family Photographer

Posing and directing in lifestyle family photography is very different from traditional family portrait photography. In lifestyle photography, you want to capture authentic and natural images that show genuine emotion. In this blog, I am going to go over how you can help clients relax and be themselves during a lifestyle family photo session.

A family of four, including a pregnant woman, standing on a rocky desert landscape with red rock formations and mountains in the background, under a cloudy sky.

Establishing a connection: It's crucial to build a relationship with the client before the family session day. To do this, I start by sending a questionnaire when they book with me. I ask about them and their families, their personalities (whether they're outgoing, funny, shy, etc.), and the kind of activities they enjoy doing together as a family. This way, I can find common interests and topics to initiate conversations with them. I also inquire about their wardrobe choices and offer guidance on colors, textures, and layering that photograph well. Remember, to capture authentic family connections, you have to make them feel comfortable enough to let you in. Building a relationship with them well before the session helps clients relax and appear more natural in front of the camera.

A family of four sitting on a rock in a desert landscape with mountains in the background, celebrating a pregnancy with the mother lying down and smiling.

Emphasize Candid Moments: Once you have established a connection, it will be much easier to guide clients to interact naturally with each other. It's essential to remember that most people are not in front of a camera every day, and many of us were brought up with traditional portrait poses and the "say cheese" look at the camera technique for family portraits. Of course, lifestyle photography is anything but traditional family photo poses. Therefore, guiding family members to interact naturally during photos comes with connection and simple directions, such as holding the little one and lifting her into the air, then bringing her down for a kiss. While guiding, make sure to provide authentic and positive reinforcement. This helps clients get out of their heads and focus on what they are doing.

Family of four standing outdoors, with the mother being pregnant, on a scenic landscape with mountains and cloudy sky.

Pay Attention to Body Language: Once you are in the session, sometimes we forget to stop and slow down to observe. We don't have to be directing all the time. Watch and observe how people interact naturally so that they don't look stiff or rigid in their family photos. Remember, we are aiming for authentic and natural images. Take cues from their body language and adjust slightly when needed to achieve a more flattering composition.

A pregnant woman in a brown off-the-shoulder dress standing outdoors in a desert landscape with mountains and cloudy sky in the background.

Focus on the Eyes: As they say, eyes are the window to the soul, and they play a huge role in conveying emotions. Encourage your families and couples to look at each other, share a laugh, or even gaze off into the distance at the views. Lifestyle photography is not so much about staring at the camera, but rather about capturing the relationships and love people share with each other.

A woman and man embracing two children outdoors on a rocky landscape under cloudy skies.

Utilize the Environment: Utilizing the environment for natural interactions is a great way to help people relax and be themselves in front of the camera. For example, if they are in their own home, they could cook something, read together, or play with their pets. If they are outside with their kids in the summer, they can play with the hose and sprinklers, which also creates interest, and water interacts with light to produce beautiful images!

A man and a young boy in a desert landscape with red rocks and sparse vegetation, the boy pushing a large boulder and the man standing nearby watching and smiling.

Be Mindful of Timing: Being patient is essential in lifestyle photography, allowing things to unfold naturally. I had this issue for a long time; I would feel like if I didn't have a million poses in my back pocket, they would think I wouldn't know what I am doing. But once I started slowing down, I didn't have to give pose after pose. The entire family were allowed to settle, and they didn't just jump up as soon as I put my camera down, thinking I was going to repose them

A family of four, including a pregnant woman, a man, a girl with long blonde hair, and a young boy, standing together outdoors on a rocky landscape with mountains and cloudy skies in the background.

Keep the Atmosphere Relaxed: I always find it helpful to engage in light conversations throughout the session to keep everyone's minds engaged in the moment. You can also play music or make jokes if that's your personality – just anything to create a more relaxed environment.

A pregnant woman and a young girl embracing on a large rock in a desert landscape with red rock formations and cloudy sky in the background.

Capture the In-Between Moments: Some of the most beautiful images come from the in-between moments – those moments after the prompt where they let their guard down. Make sure not to put your camera down after a prompt, especially if you have created a relaxed environment, as real, authentic emotions happen organically.

A woman and two children sitting on rocks in a desert landscape with red rocks and cliffs in the background, sharing an affectionate moment.

Involve the Client in the Creative Process: One of the first things I send to a client, well before the day of the session, is a questionnaire asking if there is any activity they would like to include in the session. I also ask about the kind of background they envision and the color palettes that they love. Making this a two-way street leads to more authentic photographs that reflect who they are.

A group of three people, two women and one man, walking on red rock in a desert landscape with rock formations and trees in the background, under cloudy skies.

Well, that is it, and those are some of the tools I use to help create a relaxed environment so that I can photograph more meaningful photos. Remember that every individual and family is different, so you will have to adjust accordingly. I hope you found this article helpful and can utilize some of these tools in your next session!