A family portrait is like a visual storybook. Have a look at this portrait above as an example, it tells stories of the family in frame – of familial love, parenthood, adolescence and coming together as a family.
Taking family pictures is a piece of cake. All you need is a camera and everyone to get in frame.
A family portrait, on the other hand, is powerful and tells meaningful stories of the family.
Portraits vs Wefies
Wefies taken with smartphones are all the rage right now because they are convenient, look Insta-worthy and serve as mementos for special occasions.
But family portraits taken here at Oh Dear Studio are not the same as wefies. While wefies involve posing, filters, and eccentric angles (that might sometimes look odd), I focus more on capturing shots of my clients when they feel the most comfortable.
This could involve posing, smiling and looking into the camera like the portrait below or simply interacting as they would on a typical day.
3 Tips to Choose a Family Photo Studio
Want to have some captivating family portraits of your own?
The key is finding a suitable family photo studio. Here are 3 tips to bear in mind when looking for one:
1. Look Out for Photographers Who can Capture Casual Shots
Even if you prefer having a formal family portrait, you need to find a photographer who can take elegant yet casual and organic moments with the camera to avoid cold and stiff images.
You don’t want awkward passport-looking like images. Instead, you want to tell stories of familial love, parenthood and youth.
Check out the portrait below; I encouraged my clients to show love as how they normally would without the camera and captured this lovely shot!
2. A Photographer Should be Able to Recommend Ideas
As a photographer who has worked with numerous clients on tons of projects like family portraits, newborn photography and even corporate pictures, I empathise that not everyone is comfortable in front of the camera.
Children, especially, might find it a little nerve-wrecking to be in a foreign environment surrounded by various types of camera equipment.
To get those charming portraits, however, you need to find a photographer that is able to give tips and suggest poses or actions to bring out the love & community of the family.
I instructed my clients in the portrait below to play with their child as how they would at home, and this is what I got:
Doesn’t this portrait convey the fun and love of raising a child?
Knowledge and experience are tantamount when choosing a photographer. Thus, make sure you check out your photographer’s portfolio before committing to anything.
3. Your Photographer Should be Easy-going & Adaptable
Like I mentioned earlier, dry and soulless portraits are usually a result of discomfort and unfamiliarity.
To avoid this, you need to engage a photographer who is flexible enough to adhere to the comfort and preferences of you and your family.
As a photographer and a family woman at heart, I always prioritise the needs and comfort of my clients first. I like to have a quick discussion with them to find out what their preferences are and whether I can recommend any locations and ideas that could help get the family portraits they want.
For instance, if my clients prefer the outdoors, I’ll always recommend having our photoshoot in a park that they frequent with their children like this one:
Plus, I find home to be an excellent place for a homely shoot:
Alternatively, my studio is always open!
Family Fun with Oh Dear Studio
Here at Oh Dear Studio, I aim to bring out the joy and jubilance of family with photography.
To me, photography isn’t the simply taking ‘nice’ pictures. It’s about telling a significant story with the art of photography.
I am a mother of two. I have also worked with hundreds of babies, kids and parents so I totally relate to parents who have raised or are raising children and understand how to work with them. Here’s a behind-the-scenes shot of me and my camera in action:
Finally, I’m all about minimal posing because I prefer encouraging my clients to interact and play as they normally would on a daily basis. This way, I capture those organic and golden moments with my lens.
Want to have your family portraits taken? Contact us to inquire today.
