Family's First Family Photo Shoot

This family reached out about a family photo shoot for their family of seven: Mom, dad, and five children.   We determined a local park, Inniswoods Metro Park and Gardens, would work best for their needs.  

This was their first family photo session and they were so friendly, excited, and yet relaxed having their portraits taken.  I photographed the family together in multiple site locations within the park because it was so important to the parents to capture the family together.  I also shot the parents and each child individually so that we could create a family collage of images.

It had rained a lot days before their family photo session so I was concerned about the park grounds being too wet and their also being a high volume of photographers with their clients within the park trying to get photo shoots done on a nice weather day.  The sun came out the evening before and day of their family photo session to dry up the park grounds.  The park was not that crowded with the weather being so nice.  The family was on time and had coordinated outfits nicely which always makes for a happy photographer!

Professionally, I always have an idea of the images and location settings I want to shoot in and usually try to do something a little more creative on at least one shot regardless if I am shooting a family, engagement, or high school senior photo session.  Sometimes that creativity pays off and sometimes it doesn't.  In this case, I thought it was a huge success.   After scouting out the park I had the idea to shoot the family under a bunch of pine trees around one tall tree and catch the sun setting starburst behind the family peeking around the tree.  With a family of seven in a shaded area for this shot I used a two light system and I couldn't be happier with how this particular shot turned out (see images below).

After these family portrait shots we then continued the family photo session throughout the park shooting a four other settings including the rose garden, fence line, stone bridge, and pebble pathway.  Personally I try to balance moving to a new location within the time constraints and speaking with each individual to learn something about them.  I find it helps me to understand the personalities and also helps people relax more in front of the camera.  My approach is pretty low key and relaxed and it worked perfectly capturing this family during their FIRST FAMILY PHOTO SESSION!

We finished up the family photo session with a little creative session of super hero poses.  Here's what a stranger passing by would see versus what I see taking the photo.  I think the family thought I was little crazy but they loved the superhero shots.  This only stressed the importance of finding and working with a photographer you trust to capture you at your best!