Whether you’re photographing families in the fall leaves or in their home, these go-to poses will create connection and emotion in your photographs. You’ll be surprised how willing most clients are to play and experiment with you as the photographer when you exude confidence and enthusiasm. Here are my must-have poses for fall family photos in any location. These can help give the images a heartbeat that is unique to each family, and to you as a photographer.
Parents in love
The whole family starts with parents in love, so don’t be afraid to start with the parents. Encourage them to snuggle in close and let the kids go crazy around them, and then snap a few photos of just the two of them. They might not have any professional photos of just them since their wedding photos. Continued romance and connection between partners is at the heart of a thriving family.
Turn it upside down
Younger kids love to be turned upside down, so I’ll often have dads do this while mom holds another child. This elicits excitement and energy for everyone to loosen up and play. It also creates a more interesting composition as opposed to everyone sitting or standing in a straight line. With all of these poses, there are infinite variations so don’t hesitate to do this over and over. Change your composition and angle to keep it fresh.
Mom and child in love
Mothers write silent love stories through the constant care they give to children. Pay attention to the natural gestures mothers exhibit with each child. This can be a kiss on the toes, the way a child snuggles into his mom’s neck, or the way she savors it when he does. Have a child play with mom’s hair or get nose-to-nose with mom for an intimate portrait.
Laying down
Whether you’re indoors or out, posing families lying down lends a variety to the set of images that you can’t achieve with standing and sitting alone. When done correctly, laying down is also one of the most flattering poses. To make sure families look their best, shoot from above and from the head down. Instead of standing at their waists or feet, stand at their heads with the feet furthest from the camera. You can also try posing them parallel to the camera. When indoors, whether in a family’s home or a studio, a bed is an ideal place to lay a family down.
Extra Tip: Stand on the bed or a chair next to the bed to make sure you’re photographing from above!
Posing lying down is easier with fewer family members, so start with parents or a parent and one child, and then add more family members as you gain practice and confidence.
Dads being playful
Family photographers often feel at a loss as to how to pose dads. Try prompts to play rather than specific poses. Try having him wrestle with a child on the floor if you’re indoors, or surprise a family member with a hug outdoors.
The littlest details speak volumes
Kids are messy in the most perfectly imperfect way. Tangled hair in beautiful light will be a sweet memory for parents when the days of endless play in the sun are long gone. Hands have their own language entirely that can speak volumes. After you’ve posed the family snuggling together, try getting in close and seeing what you find — legs intertwined, a loving touch, or a poetic tendril of hair.
Parenthood portrait
The work of a primary caregiver is often invisible. They clean messes, make meals, and provide emotional stability in ways that can’t be measured. And yet, parents are also individuals with their own interests, vast nuances, and unique inner lives. Photographs allow subjects to feel deeply seen, so I like to have at least one portrait of a parent with their child to capture their individuality amidst what can be an all-consuming role.
Whole family joy
The moments with the entire family all laughing and experiencing joy together are the stuff of movies and Hallmark cards. Once you’ve posed the family sitting or lying down together, ask someone to start a tickle fight and you’ll capture a feeling that will be treasured forever.
Whether your photo sessions are in a family’s home or outdoors this fall, focusing on the emotional signature of a family will guide you to poses that families will want to hang on their walls all year round.
