How to Get Natural Family Photos (Even If You Hate the Camera)
- Emily Graham
- Jan 2
- 3 min read
You know that feeling when someone points a camera at you and you suddenly forget how to use your face?
Yeah. That.
Most families I photograph tell me the same thing before we start:
“We’re awkward.”
“We never get good photos.”
“The kids won’t sit still.”
And yet, by the end, they’re laughing, relaxed, and usually surprised by how easy (and actually fun) it all felt.
Because here’s the secret: you don’t need to be photogenic or perfectly behaved to get beautiful, natural family photos. You just need the right approach.
1. Forget Perfect – Focus on Real
Natural family photography isn’t about matching outfits and forced smiles. It’s about the small in-between moments, the way your child reaches for your hand, how your family laughs together, or a capturing a smiles from a private joke!
When you stop trying to pose, you make space for real connection. And that’s what the camera loves most.
2. Don’t Worry About the Kids
Honestly, the kids are never the problem.
They can run, jump, be grumpy, or pull faces, it’s all part of it. The best family photos come from letting them be themselves.
If you’ve ever said “My child won’t cooperate,” good news: they don’t have to. I’ll guide gently, play games, and keep things moving so it never feels like a chore (for them or you).
3. Choose What You Wear (But Don’t Overthink It)
The number one question people Google before a shoot: “What should we wear for family photos?”
Here’s my honest answer: wear something you feel good in.
Avoid bright logos or anything too matchy-matchy — soft, natural tones and comfortable clothes always photograph best. Think movement, not restriction: you might be cuddling on a blanket, lifting a toddler, or running through a field.
4. Pick a Setting That Feels Familiar
The best family photography spots are ones that mean something to you — a park you love, your home, or even your road.
When everyone’s comfortable, it shows.
If you’re after inspiration, I often shoot in Walthamstow's green spaces, Epping Forest and hidden corners that make for beautiful, relaxed backdrops and no one has to travel far.
5. Let Go (I’ve Got You)
It’s my job to make you look natural, not yours.
You don’t need to know what to do with your hands or how to smile “properly.” I’ll give simple prompts and direction that help you focus on each other, not the camera.
By the time we finish, you’ll have forgotten it was a photo session and it’ll just feel like spent a fun morning with the family.
6. The Bonus Bit: Why Natural Family Photography Matters
These photos are about freezing real life — not the version you think you “should” present.
When your kids look back at them, they won’t care that your hair was out of place or someone’s shirt was untucked. They’ll see how loved they were, and how it felt to be part of a family.
That’s what natural family photography is really about. And it’s worth capturing — exactly as it is.
No stiff smiles, no pressure — just honest, joyful photos of your family being themselves.
Thank you for taking the time to read this blog, I really hope you found it helpful. Please get in touch if you want to know more about any of the photography services I offer, including:
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