It was that time of year again where I get to head out for a bit of a Family Photoshoot with the Shaw Family! This time we head out to the lovely little Fountain Valley Reserve, just off South Road in Happy Valley.
It’s fun that Miranda and Jake shooce to head to different spots each year to get a bit of variety in their yearly family photos! Last year we were in a pine forest, and the time prior, another small park in Happy Valley.
This time their choice was the Fountain Valley reserve which at this time of year boasts a bubbling brook streaming through some delightful weeping willows and lots of long, lush grass. I had a lot of fun at their Fountain valley Reserve Family Shoot! The light in the morning was beautiful combined with the natural beauty of the place made my job pretty simple!
It was nice to meet up with Cristina and Matthew again after having shot their engagement photos what seems like eons ago – well before this website was developed! We head out for a Himeji Gardens family shoot on Adelaide’s South Terrace with their grandparents. The weather was great, and everyone was all smiles – the only issue was how busy the gardens were!
I’d never seen the Himeji gardens so busy! It seemed like everyone was out just enjoying the weather – which was fair enough! But it meant that I had to get a bit creative when it came to the angles I was using – and a touch of photoshop – to make sure there was no one in the background of these family photos.
It was a little frustrating, as other times I had head out for a Himeji Gardens family shoot, I had no such issues and I could use all of the ‘money shots’ that the gardens are famous for. But it turned out ok as Cristine and Matthew were keen to take as many phtos as possible – but Grandpa and Yaya ran out of steam rather quickly.
The main goal was to get a few shots together as a family so I think we achieved that!
I head up north of the city recently to meet little Odella and her Mum and Dad for a bit of a photo shoot in amongst the greenery of the Little Para Linear Park in Paralowie.
Little Odella’s parents had been given one of my gift certificates and had waited until Odella was big enough to sit on her own before organising a time to have their photoshoot done.
She wasn’t overly keen on smiling throughout our outing, but was otherwise very well behaved! And the glowing smiles from Mum and Dad certainly brightened up the photos regardless!
Being adventurous with your wedding photography can lead to some of the most unique and beautiful shots that people will stare at in awe. Rather than relying on the tried-and-true locations, you can take advantage of your surroundings and try something new—or at least different. Being adventurous with your wedding photography can mean that your photos will capture your true emotion and personality so much better than ‘playing safe’ and relying on tired cliches.
Your wedding will be a day filled with joy and happiness, and your photos should reflect that. But how can you go about making these decisions? What are you getting yourself into? And what does being adventurous even mean in the context of wedding photography? If you’re completely lost, don’t worry—we’re here to help.
Below I’ll go over what adventurous wedding photography can entail as both a photographer and the couples, as well as some tips and tricks to make sure you have the best experience possible. So, without any further ado, let’s get started!
Be Adventurous with your Wedding Photography for best results!
1) Think Outside the Box
If you’re looking to take your wedding photography up a notch, think outside of the box. Rather than cliche poses and plain backgrounds, experiment with various settings and find something interesting in your surroundings. You’ll want to be careful not to get too avant-garde or abstract; after all, you don’t want your photos to look like they were taken by M.C. Escher (though some may argue that would be pretty cool).
Keep it real and go with something authentic, but new and exciting at that. If you need inspiration, get out there are search for artistic landscape photographs from your wedding venue and surrounds that you like and simply put yourself in those scenes after discussing with your photographer.
Wedding photo on cliffs
2) A Necessary Conversation Between Bride and Groom
Expectations can often get in the way of enjoying yourself on your wedding day, and that’s completely normal. You’re expected to look a certain way, act a certain way, etc., and these pressures can take their toll over time. One good thing you can do is make sure to have a clear conversation about expectations with your partner before you head out for your big day.
Make sure you’re on board with each other’s ideas before anything else—this will ensure everyone gets what they want out of their photographs, which will ultimately result in more enjoyable pictures!
Out on pride rock
3) Spend Time in Your Location
While you’re getting used to being adventurous, try heading out of your comfort zone and spending some time in your potential wedding location before you take any photos. Doing so will make you feel more at ease during that special day—you’ll know where everything is and have a good idea of how to get around. You might even stumble upon a few photo opportunities along the way.
So don’t be afraid to head into uncharted territory—the worst thing that can happen is you won’t end up using it for anything. Be brave and find something new that works with your story!
Burbrook Kuitpo forest wedding photo
4) Keep An Open Mind to Suggestions
A big part of being adventurous with your wedding photography is keeping an open mind to suggestions from others as well as coming up with ideas on your own. If you don’t feel like you’re in a position to make decisions about how you want your wedding photography taken, that’s perfectly fine—your photographer has experience and can point you in a direction that will work best for both of you.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions or try something new! And just like before, if it turns out you don’t like it, it was all a learning experience. In fact, most photographers suggest trying many different looks during your session; what works for one shot might not work so well for another and vice versa.
Kuitpo Forest wedding
5) Stay Light on Your Feet
While you’re doing everything else on your list, don’t forget to have fun. Most photographers will tell you that good pictures come from having fun and feeling comfortable with one another (which is why it’s so important to have that conversation about expectations beforehand). So go ahead and dance a little, jump around if you want—it’s your wedding day, after all. And as long as you stay light on your feet, everything should work out just fine!
Remember, most of these suggestions are based on experience, but there are no strict rules when it comes to taking great photographs. Your best bet is going with what feels right for you and being excited about it; if nothing else, being adventurous will make your big day much more memorable.
6) Think About Storytelling Through Composition
When it comes to composition, there are so many different factors you have to think about. The first and most obvious one is framing—where do you want to place your subject within that photograph? Do you want them in front of a beautiful landscape or a famous landmark? What if they’re doing something interesting with their hands or body? How close should you be as a photographer when capturing an image?
In addition, consider depth of field (the way everything looks sharp and in focus or blurry), color schemes (everything from clothing to flowers), light exposure (for example, bright outdoor lighting versus more dim indoor lighting), shutter speed (how long your camera’s shutter will stay open), etc. All of these things can add up over time—so once again, be adventurous!
Beautiful light on the rocks
Have Fun, It’s Your Wedding Day!
And last but not least, don’t forget to have fun. Remember that whatever you decide to do, it doesn’t matter as long as you’re both happy with it. If your photographer suggests an idea that seems silly or uncomfortable at first—but gets you excited—give it a shot. Go ahead and plan something new and exciting—the best thing that can happen is you get great photos and memories from your special day; worst case scenario is nothing comes of it. Just try to be adventurous with your wedding photography and I promise it will all pay off!
Family photoshoots are supposed to be a lot of fun. It’s an activity that you get to enjoy with the people you care about the most in the world, all while preserving shared memories that you may cherish for the rest of your life.
You may be wondering what to bring, how long the shoot will take if you can bring your dog, how hair and makeup are done, and if venues can be switched!
13 Family Photoshoot Tips for Creating Lasting Memories
Prior to the shoot, you must:
Brainstorm Ideas
The great thing about family photoshoots is that they can be a huge collaborative effort amongst you and your relatives. You must first let them know what you are planning for everybody and get them excited to brainstorm ideas with you. Let them contribute poses, themes, and costume ideas. And remember, this is part of all the fun!
Know that whatever works for your family will be your own unique style. The shoot is something you all should look up to, so frame the experience in a brilliant and positive light.
family sitting on a log
Plan Everything Accordingly
We can’t stress this enough: you have to plan ahead and accordingly to have a successful family photoshoot. No matter the size of your family, it’s important to set everything up from scheduling, wardrobe changes, grooming, food or catering, and so on.
Fix your clothing the day before your shoot, for example, and make sure all required things are dry cleaned/ironed. Set aside time the day before the shoot to have everyone conditioned and ready. Also, allow plenty of time if you’re getting your hair or cosmetics done. You don’t want to be rushed and flustered when you arrive.
Mt Compass Family photography
Get Some Beauty Rest
A big part of photoshoot preparations is setting the mood for the entire day. And to achieve a successful family photoshoot, everybody in your family must be well-rested, energetic, hydrated, and well-fed. Eight hours of sleep, lots of water, a big breakfast, and an uplifted mood sure can go a long way.
Family walking along the pond
Things to Pack
Healthy Snacks
No, we’re not just talking about chips and junk food. We’re talking about jelly beans, cheese cubes, light crackers, and dried food. Avoid foods that could stain or get stuck in your teeth like chocolate, candies, coloured beverages, and anything that consumes too much time to devour.
Food platter on display
Extra Clothes
It’s always a good idea to pack extra clothes and backup outfits for everybody, young and old. This family photoshoot tip is especially advantageous if, let’s say, you’re bringing a bunch of kids along. With almost any type of photoshoot, expect spills and stains to go wrong! It wouldn’t hurt to be a little bit overprepared.
I have a cake!
Fun Activities
Breakout sessions in between photoshoot layouts are a must. This is a way to inject fun as the day progresses. This is not really a requirement, but it can relax your whole team and loosen up your family members
In addition, fun activities like blowing bubbles, and playing with toys and balls can be added to your themed shoot.
Family photo in Pine Reserve
The Furry Friend
If you bring your dog, please consider bringing a dedicated walker to look after it throughout the shoot. This way, you can keep your dog secure and comfortable while not interfering with the shot. Also, before bringing your dog to the shoot, evaluate her disposition. How will it be able to pose for photos if it is typically wild and rowdy? Finally, provide dog treats and toys for the dog so that he would comply.
bride groom and dog
Outdoor Items
Best place to hold a natural family photography session is to hold it outside – rather than in a studio. For example, heading to the beach? bring beach towels, sunscreen, coolers, umbrellas, and more! Treat it the way you would for any beach trip. How about a forest? maybe bring a picnic setup, some games? frisbee?
Family sitting together on rock
Grooming Tools for Hair and Makeup
Perhaps grooming for hair and makeup aren’t requirements either, but it wouldn’t hurt to bring your own tools. This way, you can touch up in between layouts and keep it all hygienic as well. But beyond hair and makeup, you may also want to bring a sewing kit for emergencies. And if you’re feeling quite extravagant, feel free to hire your family’s own glam team!
Running in front of the family
Reminders During the Shoot
Make the Most Out of It
We’ll say it again: A family photoshoot is a perfect excuse to bond with your loved ones. So, use this time wisely. This is a time to learn new things through new experiences, together.
Family looking through the bushes
Grab a Solo Portrait for Everyone
Show off everybody’s beauty. One by one, allow every member of your family to have their own time to shine. Let them show off their hobbies, their talents, and their unique styles.
Portrait
Give Room for Goofy Shots
You can culminate the shoot by taking a goofy group family pic which you can blow up and hang on your wall! This is a way for you to truly cherish your close family ties, unbreakable bonds, and sense of humour! There are no wrong answers when it comes to taking goofy family portraits.
Family portrait under gum trees
Keep Your Photographer Team in the Loop
The Editing Process
As with any photoshoot, the images are thoroughly retouched. For this process, you have to let your photographer and their assistant know what you’d like the outcome of the pictures to be.
If you feel conscious about something, raise it. They can keep everything natural, with a bit of tweaking when it comes to reducing wrinkles, toning down puffiness around the face, lightening the eye bags, etc.
Let us know if you’re planning something special too – perhaps an engagement? We are good at keeping secrets, and if we know about it beforehand we can be sure to look out for the cues!
Santorini Couple Shoot
Thirteen tips may sound like a large amount of advice for a successful family photoshoot, but one can never be too sure about family activities and gatherings! These family photoshoot tips ensure success. Being prepared and knowing what to expect can save you and your family members a lot of stress, arguments, and unnecessary pressure. That said, make sure you plan ahead, prepare, and enjoy every second. Take this chance to capture special shared moments while you still can!
