Today, a family photographer generally refers to a photographer who takes family photos. However, I believe that being a family photographer involves more than just that. To me, a family photographer is a photographer who is capable of capturing more than just one style of photography. Essentially, a family photographer should be able to provide coverage for more than one type of occasion: a wedding, birthday, family reunion, or arriving to a new bundle of joy.
Beyond the Big Day: Why Transitioning to Family Photography is the Natural Next Step
I had the opportunity to take photos of Candace and Stephen’s wedding a couple of years ago. We had a great time, and our experience working together was amazing. I also photographed Stephen’s sister’s family around the same time as their wedding.
Last year, Candace contacted me to inquire about newborn baby photography and my approach to capturing such moments.
Over the years, I have learned to ask my clients several questions to understand their needs and expectations. From our conversation, I gathered that Candace was interested in traditional studio-style newborn photography with lots of posing and setups.
I have offered to provide photo collections and coverage to Candace and her family, emphasizing the importance of their needs. I am best at taking candid photos that capture emotions rather than conforming to trendy norms. Very pleased that Candace understood my approach and chose a photographer whose style would give them the look they desired.
The Next Chapter as a Family Photographer: How to Successfully Transition from Wedding to Family Coverage
One year after their initial baby session, Candace asked for their baby’s first-year photos. She wanted to revisit the location where we did their engagement photos, and she knew what she wanted: documentary photos to capture their baby boy’s growth.
I love working with children between the ages of one and seven. Their curiosity and unpredictability make each session so fulfilling and full of joy and uncertainty.
When I am asked at a wedding show what I like to photograph besides wedding couples, I always answer right away: three-year-old busy boys running, touching everything and being curious about the world around them. This reply is slightly different from what the people who asked expected me to respond, but it is very accurate.
Ethan was a busy boy who liked playing with his Dad’s keys and found exciting things to look at and explore, no matter where his parents took him.
A Family Photographer at the Jack Darling Memorial Park in Mississauga
When I am hired as a family photographer, the parents often don’t know what to expect from their kids or anyone who joins them for the photos. While they want to have high-quality pictures, the thought of gathering everyone together, the cost involved, and the uncertainty of what the final results will be can cause them a lot of stress and anxiety. They tend to have unrealistic expectations of themselves and everyone else, so it’s my responsibility to communicate that to the person who books me.
I always make it clear to my clients that they don’t need to choose anything upfront, which differs from wedding coverage options. We have a clear idea of how long we will work together, but they don’t have to worry about selecting or purchasing anything initially. While having options up front is always helpful, I don’t want them to feel pressured to choose without seeing the photos first. This helps reduce stress, relax them, and give them control over selecting their best photos.
The Fun Session for Years to Come
Whenever I start a session involving kids, I try to read their body language and decide on which order we would work. When I meet kids who are outgoing and not shy, I start taking photos right away. This makes parents happy, and slowly, they join us for the family pictures. I take photos of the kids at their best and finish the family photos while they’re still on their best behaviour. In the end, I work with the parents while the children have the time to play independently and are done with taking photos.
Since Ethan was only one year old, I knew that I had to win his trust quickly to capture all the photos before he lost interest. We revisited all the locations from his parents’ engagement session and took some individual shots of him, as well as some family combinations. As I predicted, Ethan was getting fussy towards the end of the session. He was done with the excitement of the session. So, we laid out a blanket, and he sat on it for a while, playing with his Dad’s keys.
Embrace Every Moment for Great Family Photos
It’s always challenging to work in a new location with kids who have never been there before. Every new thing they see grabs their attention. It requires a lot of effort to get them to focus on looking into the camera or smiling when asked.
I knew that, so I lay on the grass and made sure to capture anything that Ethan was giving us. After he finished with the blanket, we headed towards the splash pad to play. Candace thought Ethan would enjoy playing with the water, but we had mixed results here.
We decided to focus our time and energy on activities that were actually producing results. So, we moved to the play area, where we captured some action shots while everyone had a good time. As I noticed that everyone was starting to get tired, I suggested we take a break and sit in the shaded park area. I encouraged them to play together while I searched for the perfect shot for our family session. And just like that, I found it!
“Bang” was the word that came out of my mouth as soon as I took the perfect photo that genuinely captured Candace and Stephen’s young and lovely family. It gave me immense pleasure to be able to provide them with memories that they will cherish for years to come. Candace and Stephen, thank you for trusting me to preserve your beautiful family memories.
- Family Photos taken by Dragi Andovski, published ©2024 DA Photography
- Photo Location: Jack Darling Memorial Park, Mississauga, ON
- Do you want yo know How to eliminate fake smiles during your family photo session? Check this blog post.
- See 7 tips to reduce stress on your picture day to make your photo session more enjoyable.