When photographing families with young children, I don't expect everyone to stand still, look at the camera, and smile on command.
In fact, some of my favorite family photographs happen when nobody is looking at the camera at all.
For this family session at Huian Park, the goal was simple: natural, fun, and happy photographs that captured the family as they really are. With two young children and a dad who was a little nervous about being in front of the camera, my first priority wasn't taking photos—it was making everyone feel comfortable.
Once everyone relaxed, the natural moments followed.
Getting Comfortable First
One of the most common things I hear before a family photoshoot is:
"We're not very good in front of the camera."
That's completely normal.
For this session, the family specifically mentioned that the dad was a little nervous and would appreciate direction. I actually prefer when clients tell me this beforehand, because it means I can make sure the session doesn't start with everyone wondering what they're supposed to do.
I don't expect you to know how to pose.
Instead, I'll give you simple directions—where to stand, how to turn, where to look, or how to interact with each other. Sometimes it's as simple as asking everyone to move a little closer together or having the parents turn toward the children.
The goal isn't to create a perfect pose.
It's to give everyone enough guidance that they can eventually forget about the camera.
With Little Ones, Keep Them Moving
Young children aren't particularly interested in standing still for photographs—and I don't blame them.
Rather than constantly asking them to smile or look at the camera, I like to give them something to do, or have the parents interact with them.
We might play a little game, have the parents pick them up, tickle them, run toward each other, anything but be completely still.
These prompts give children something natural to respond to, while giving parents an opportunity to interact with them rather than perform for the camera.
And that's usually when the genuine laughs and smiles come through, the moments parents really want captured.
Letting the Family Be a Family
Once everyone becomes comfortable, I start stepping back.
I'll still give direction when needed, but I want the family to spend more time interacting with each other than interacting with me.
I'll look for the little things:
A parent fixing their child's hair.
A sibling making the other laugh.
A child reaching for their parent's hand.
A spontaneous hug.
A moment when everyone happens to look at each other at the same time.
These aren't moments you can really pose.
You have to create an environment where they're allowed to happen.
That's why I don't think a successful family photoshoot is about getting everyone to smile at the camera. It's about creating enough comfort and space for the family's real personalities to come through.
Diana and her family share their experience:
"We cannot thank Ray enough for the absolutely incredible experience we had during our family portrait session! We are usually quite camera shy, but Ray immediately put us at ease and made the entire process feel completely natural and comfortable. He was incredibly patient with us as we wrangled our two kids, and he kept the energy positive and low-stress when we transitioned to our second location. The final photos came out truly amazing, capturing genuine moments that we will cherish forever."
