Family photos are cherished memories, capturing a moment in time that families can share for generations. As a content creator at hudsonfamily.net and a family photography specialist, I understand the honor of creating these lasting memories. It’s about more than just taking a picture; it’s about freezing a piece of your family’s unique story. When families invest their time and trust in me to capture these moments, I feel privileged to deliver photos they will truly treasure.
Often, I’m asked, “What makes a good family photo?” My answer is always the same: there’s no single formula. Every family is unique, with its own dynamic and personality. The best family photos are those that genuinely reflect who you are. Let’s explore how to capture photos that scream “that’s so US!” and ditch the generic clichés.
While classic family portraits are beautiful, my passion lies in creating images that showcase your family’s authentic, wonderfully weird selves. Imagine the joy of looking at a photo and immediately recognizing your family’s spirit shining through. That’s the magic we aim to create. Forget about forced smiles and stiff poses if that’s not your family’s vibe. Whether you lean towards classic formality or embrace the delightfully unconventional, the key is to be yourselves.
I recently had the pleasure of working with Alyssa and her family, who wanted something “a little different” for their annual family photos. They wanted to capture their family’s active lifestyle – always out exploring the local peninsula on scooters and skateboards, enjoying beaches and fresh air. Inspired by their vision, I chose the Coast Guard Pier in Monterey. This location offered tide pools, a beach, and even a parking lot perfect for skateboarding – the ideal backdrop for their family adventure.
Alyssa and her family were thrilled with their photos, and it became one of my all-time favorite sessions. It perfectly captured their family’s energy and love for adventure. Inspired by Alyssa’s family and a desire to help others create equally personal and meaningful photos, I’ve compiled my top unconventional Family Photo Ideas to spark your imagination:
10 Unique Family Photo Ideas to Inspire You
1. Pawsome Family Members: Include Your Pets
Pets are family! Incorporating your furry, scaly, or feathered friends into your family photos brings out genuine smiles and captures another dimension of your family life. Don’t shy away from unique pets like turtles, lizards, snakes, or birds. Their presence adds personality and intrigue to your photos, highlighting their important role in your family. The more unique the pet, the more memorable the photo!
2. Highlight Family Hobbies and Shared Interests
What does your family love to do together? Whether it’s cheering for your favorite sports team, playing board games, cooking, gardening, or pursuing a unique passion, incorporating these hobbies tells your family’s story. Just like Alyssa’s family and their love for exploring, showcasing your shared interests makes your photos uniquely personal and meaningful. Think about locations and props that represent these hobbies to bring them to life in your photos.
3. Vintage Vibes: Incorporate Antique Vehicles
For some families, vehicles are more than just transportation; they’re a passion. Antique cars, motorcycles, trucks, or even boats can be significant parts of a family’s lifestyle and leisure. These vehicles not only add a cool, vintage aesthetic but also serve as fantastic backdrops. Imagine your family piled into the bed of a classic farm truck or posing beside a sleek vintage motorcycle for some truly candid and eye-catching shots!
4. Urban Exploration: Grungy Locations & Unique Architecture
Forget traditional parks and beaches if they don’t resonate with your family’s style. Embrace your urban roots! Cityscapes offer a wealth of unique backdrops. Gritty streets with vibrant graffiti, modern architectural marvels, or character-filled heritage buildings provide striking and unconventional settings. These locations offer dramatic shadows, interesting textures, and a totally different vibe compared to typical outdoor portraits.
5. Showcase Your Personal Style: Tattoos and Individual Flair
Don’t hide what makes you, you! If tattoos are part of your identity, feature them! Make them a focal point, showcasing your personality and story. Similarly, encourage everyone to express their individual style through clothing and accessories. Forget matching outfits; coordinate instead! Wear your favorite jewelry, hats, scarves, or everyday wear that reflects your personality. Comfort and authenticity are key to capturing genuine expressions.
6. Play with Poses and Perspectives: Ditch the Line-Up
Say goodbye to rigid, lined-up poses! While classic poses have their place, let’s get creative. Forget the standard two-row formation. Experiment with camera angles – a high bird’s-eye view (perhaps using a step ladder) or a low angle from the ground can dramatically change the perspective and tell a new story. Playing with scale, using mirrors or reflective surfaces, and embracing natural, relaxed poses like sitting, crouching, leaning, or even leaping, will result in dynamic and engaging family photos.
7. Action Shots: Capture Your Family in Motion
Instead of static poses, capture your family in action! Whether it’s running on the beach, playing a sport, dancing, or simply walking and laughing together, action shots bring energy and life to your photos. These candid moments often reveal genuine emotions and interactions, creating more authentic and engaging family portraits.
8. Themed Photoshoots: Embrace a Shared Love
Does your family have a favorite movie, book, era, or hobby? Consider a themed photoshoot! Dressing up as characters from your favorite movie, embracing a vintage era style, or incorporating elements of a shared hobby can create fun, memorable, and highly personalized family photos. The possibilities are endless, and the result is always unique and entertaining.
9. Seasonal Sensations: Leverage the Time of Year
Each season offers unique photographic opportunities. Fall foliage, winter snow, spring blossoms, or summer sunshine can all enhance your family photos. Plan your photoshoot to coincide with your favorite season and incorporate seasonal elements into your setting, wardrobe, and activities. This adds a natural and beautiful layer to your family portraits.
10. Candid at Home: Lifestyle Family Photography
Sometimes the most authentic family photos are captured in the comfort of your own home. Lifestyle family photography focuses on capturing genuine moments of your family interacting naturally in your home environment. Baking cookies together, reading stories, playing games, or simply relaxing – these everyday moments become precious memories when captured in a relaxed and authentic way.
Capture Your Unique Family Story
Don’t let convention limit your next family photo session. Embrace what makes your family special, get creative with locations, poses, and themes, and most importantly, be yourselves! These unique family photo ideas are just a starting point – let them inspire you to create photos that truly reflect your family’s spirit and become cherished keepsakes for years to come. Remember, the best family photos are the ones that tell your unique story.
