Families are fun. I’m part of a family! Having two kids (six years apart) and being a former teacher really helps me relate to families with kids. I know you’re not looking to rank on Awkward Family Photos. You want an amazing, natural-looking family portrait to cherish for a lifetime. As a seasoned professional Rochester photographer, there are few situations that I can’t work with, and I always get a smile. So, if you’re looking for great family portraits in Rochester, I’m your guy!
Inspiration for Rochester Family Portraits
Family portraits in Rochester are great! On the one hand, there are so many family-friendly places to shoot. From iconic local museums such as The Strong, the Rochester Public Library and the RMSC to some of our seasonal attractions such as Seabreeze or the nation’s official oldest mini golf course, Whispering Pines. On the other hand, the natural beauty of our region – any time of year – can’t be beaten. Consider Highland Park, the beaches along Ontario, wooded parks such as Ellison and, of course, the Finger Lakes. From winter to spring, our region offers unique outdoor beauty. Still, looking for ideas for your family photos? Here are my top 3 tips for a great family photo shoot.
1 Shoot On Location
A family portrait is like shooting a safari. The best results come when your family is in its natural environment. While studio-settings can off-balance adults and children, alike, using a well-known location can put your family at ease. So, consider choosing a location that has special meaning for your family. Of course, this may be your very own home or backyard. Or you might be in your family’s happy-place at a diner, local park, or local attraction – nothing like Seneca Park Zoo for a giraffe as a back-drop! At the end of the day, the best place to photograph your family is where everyone is most relaxed and at ease. This helps keep the natural smiles flowing.
2 Feel Comfy
What should you wear? Keeping to the principle that the more at ease the family is, the better the family portrait, consider a relaxed and comfortable look. Choose items that reflect your normal style and preferences. When you feel natural, you look natural. So, as much as possible, craft a wardrobe that doesn’t go too far out of your family’s normal style.
3 Get the Whole Family Involved
Finally, when thinking about how you want your Rochester family portraits to look, get everyone involved. The more all family members feel a part of the process, the more willing everyone will be to cooperate on the day. So, where age-appropriate, brainstorm locations together and allow everyone some input on clothing choices. When the whole family is working together to create a portrait, some members – ahem – may feel less like this is something being done to them and more like something done with them. An important difference kids will pick up on that can go a long way towards getting those great shots.
Family Portraits in Rochester
I’ll meet you and your gorgeous family at your favorite local spot, outdoors in the backyard or in your home. I encourage a relaxed and comfortable look that will capture your family as you are. Moreover, I prefer to be on-location, rather than in a studio setting, in order to capture you in your natural habitat (like a safari). This makes kids feel more at ease and they act more natural (trust me, I have a few). My process allows me to spend quality time with your family and learn about what your motivations and values. The challenge that I love, is taking the things I learn about you and your family, and building a creative session that is tailored just for you. Ready to work together? Contact me anytime.