When kids are young, family photos seem to be more directed by parents and more focused on remembering those sweet childhood moments. It seems that when children grow up, it can be both difficult to get the family together and to find an activity that the whole family wants to take part in for family photos. Christmas tree hunting is a timeless activity for all ages that will help camera-averse adults to get into the frame. This blog post is based on a mini session that I did with my own family including my sister who hates taking photos and the rest of my family who generally feels at least a little awkward being in front of the camera.

Take away the pressure of “perfection”

I throw my sister under the bus (metaphorically speaking) a lot when it comes to taking photos. Throughout my life, the majority of the photos she is in, she is sticking her tongue out or making a face. We have many more photos featuring a funny face than we do of her smiling even though she has one of the most photogenic smiles I’ve ever seen. We have the same orthodontist and my smile doesn’t look like that. The trick with my sister is to take photos quickly and when she isn’t paying attention. Now the reason I share this is not to make fun of my sister, although I do that frequently. I share because I know that most families have at least one member like my sister and taking family photos is not always enjoyable for her or for others. Doing a quick/mini session during an activity like Christmas tree hunting can take away some of the pressure of “perfection” and allow everyone to just have fun.

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Telling your family’s unique story

As for the rest of my family, they have less direct aversion to taking photos but I wouldn’t say that any of them are eager to be in front of the lens. The more experience I have taking family and couple portraits, the more I find that most families are similar to mine in this way. The illusion of photogenic families who love being in front of the camera is just that - an illusion. There is often a pressure to look “perfect” and truly, none of us are. The way I see it, perfection is not the point of family photos. The point is connection. The point is to highlight those moments where your sister is sticking out her tongue or being just generally ridiculous. And mom’s laughter in response. And dad looking on at the family of girls that never listened to a word he said but that he loves more than anything. And the two partners who were best friends before they joined the family. The point is to tell this chapter of every family’s unique story. Not perfection but connection.