What to Do, What to Do? Terrific Activities for Your Family Photo Shoot
The best way I know to stop a conversation dead in its tracks is to ask a new client what activity they'd like to do for their Family Photojournalism session. Their breath stops, their eyes go wide, and they're suddenly unable to remember that they've ever interacted with their family, even one time, ever before in their lives.
Committing to a specific activity is the key to capturing the authentic emotions and relationships of your lives together. But the choice is not always easy!
So here's help!
Let's break it down.
The Classics
When in doubt, or if this is your first photo shoot in the documentary style, you can't go wrong with one of these. They're full of sweetness, every one, and details that will tug at your heart when the children are grown.
- morning cuddle in the biggest bed
- Saturday morning pancakes
- baking cookies (or any other favorite dessert)
- bath time, with bubbles if you like
- your bedtime routine
The Slice of Life
It's in these simple, close-to-home activities that documentary photography does some of its best work, revealing personalities and relationships just as they are from day to day.
- folding laundry
- giving haircuts
- washing the car
The Seasonal
Perfect for any beloved annual tradition.
- carving pumpkins
- lighting the menorah
- dyeing Easter eggs
- celebrating Holi with colored powder
- trimming the Christmas tree
- playing in piles of autumn leaves
The Creative Masterpiece
Immortalize your amazing creations! And the fun you had making them.
- playing dress-up
- making the greatest Lego construction ever seen
- practicing the violin
- making something - anything: paper snowflakes, rag blankets, bracelets, a pillow fort...you name it
The Sweet & Low
Sometimes the quiet times are the most tender.
- reading a favorite book
- making daisy chains
- working in the garden
The Wild Child
Release their inner wild thing for a high-energy, unforgettable day.
- blowing bubbles
- playing with silly string
- warrior face painting and Nerf sword battles
- flying a kite
- playing any sport at all
The Adventurers
Get out into the world and see what happens!
- take a picnic to the park
- visit the Lincoln Memorial
- hike in a beautiful place
- explore the National Arboretum
- sell lemonade at a stand on the corner
- go up in a hot-air balloon
There are as many different ways to do a Family Photojournalism shoot as there are families. Capture your family's routine to remember for a lifetime. Or capture a day of delight and discovery. As long as your family will enjoy being together, you really can't go wrong. When you're engaged with each other instead of posing for the camera, everyone will feel more relaxed. We'll capture authentic interactions, and authentic love, in a set of photographs that your family will treasure forever.
