Our Tips for Family Photo Ideas

If you’ve got a new addition to the family, or the usual Facebook smartphone pictures you’ve been sending to grandma simply aren’t cutting it anymore, you’re in luck. A photo can last a lifetime and so it has to be the best it can. Take a look at our guide to taking a family photo.

Try a fun activity

Let’s get something out of the way first: if you have kids, you know that getting a staged photo of kids is like herding cats.

The first step is to distract them, but not so much that end up of a photo of them with their tongue sticking out in concentration or gaping at the TV screen. Instead, consider a group activity that will bring on smiles. If you don’t mind getting messy, or colourful, you can get a smash cake, or have a paintball or water balloon fight to get the kids running around.

If you’re looking for the smart photo where they’re in that tiny and adorable outfit you’ve been saving for a wedding that never came, you can give them something to look at that will catch their attention, like a toy in the air, or fireworks.

And of course, there are simple things like the 1, 2, 3, jump! or giving them a few tosses into the air to get them laughing. Get the family dog involved, or a farm animal like a horse to awe them. Or a swing, or even a tire swing to gather around.

Get out in the world

Do you know what is utterly fascinating to a child? The world. And the bonus here is that it often also makes for a great backdrop to photos. You can head to the park, the zoo, the fairground, the playpark, etc. for somewhere to capture your family.

Engage with the animals of the zoo, incorporate the lights of the fairground, or create dynamic poses amongst the jungle gym in the playpark.

When you get back you’ll have a collection of memories as well as photos. Print them all out into a photo book by visiting www.mysocialbook.com.

Make sure you’re set up

If you’re aiming to get this done on your own terms, you will need to be prepared. A professional is expensive, yes, but they also have all the tools available to get a good shot, including a decent camera. But that’s just the start. You’ll need an amazing light source, whether that’s an industrial or ring light or a sunny day, and depending on where you live, they can be harder to come by.

You’ll also need a tripod, especially if you want to be part of the photo. There are ways you can rig a camera, either to go off during a timer or if you’re using your camera phone, to click when you have a good shot with a button Bluetooth connected to the camera.

You can even set up your own set. Get a blanket and picnic basket and stage, or actually have, a picnic in the park. Get an old sofa and let the kids climb all over it. Start a bonfire for some cheery winter pictures.