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If you can’t tell from looking at my family portfolio, family photos hold a very special place in my heart. I’m a lover of connection, emotion and family so when I’m working with a family and capturing their love, it brings me the ultimate joy. That’s why I’m always excited to share my favorite family photo ideas with you! A quick glimpse into how I work and how I get families to show their true personality.
While I truly enjoy every type of session, there’s just something magical about outdoor family photos. Fall tends to be my busiest season, and I love nothing more than getting outside and creating memories with families.
But, not every photographer can capture genuine emotion and expressions during family photoshoots. It’s not as easy as it looks! In my 15+ years of photographing families all around Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino Counties, I’ve come up with a list of ideas and prompts that work the best for me and my clients. A few go-to poses, prompts and activities that I do during shoots. My goal is to always offer my clients the most unique family photos that they can look back on.
Outdoor Family Photo Ideas
When I’m capturing family photos, it’s important to vary the poses to create an amazing proof gallery for each family. One that is full of a variety. So I do my best to come up with creative outdoor family photo ideas and poses. I like to mix it up by using standing, sitting, and even ground-level poses. Each pose has gives a different mood! Having the family stand together gives a more formal, traditional feel, while sitting poses can create a more relaxed and intimate vibe. I’m always searching for the best poses for family pictures so my clients have not only great pics, but a fun photoshoot!
Standing Outdoor Family Photo Ideas
The first of my family pose ideas is the most obvious! Everyone standing close, looking straight at me. Having families stand together in different poses is a quick and easy way for me to get an amazing variety of shots.
I always ask families to stand with little children in the front and parents in the back.
If the kids are older or taller than their parents, I’ll have everyone stand next to each other in a line so everyone is on the same plane. I ask them to either hold hands or put their arms around each other to be sure that everyone is somehow connecting.
The Perez family is a great example of popular family of five photo poses. In this family standing pose everyone on the same plane, showing connection. Gorgeous dresses from Baltic Born and is one of my go to creative poses for group photos and works spe
When it’s just the kids, I like to put the younger siblings in the middle and the older kids on the outsides. Having them hold hands is the best way to keep them together.
I’ve been photographing these kids since the last two were born. Here you see them standing together, holding hands with their family dog. I also love when people bring pets to family photo shoots.
Pro Tip! If it’s a larger group with varying heights, I just make sure to pose the family so that there is a clear view of everyone’s face.
Poses for Family of Four Outdoors
One if the best family photo ideas is to get really little kids in family photos is by parents picking them up and holding them close. This way everyone’s face is on the same plane.
Family of Four Poses for Pictures
Family of Three Poses
Sitting Family Picture Ideas
Another one of my simple family photo ideas! Everyone is just simply sitting down! This instantly creates a relaxed and fun vibe! Great for everyone to rest, relax and cuddle up. Where standing poses can be more formal feeling, sitting poses naturally bring everyone closer together. And you know what we say in photography. You can never be close enough- and especially for family photos.
Sitting on the Ground Family Photo Ideas
Ok, one thing you need to know about me- I don’t mind getting dirty! I’m all in when I’m photographing families and I do almost anything to get the shot- even if I have to get on the ground.
Getting down on the ground, whether it’s sitting like a picnic or lying down looking up to the camera, adds a playful and casual element that always leads to more candid photos and fun poses for family pictures- especially with the little ones!
I like to bring a blanket to my family photo shoots so that I can pose the family on the ground without them getting dirty.
Family of Four Poses for Pictures
Looking Up From Ground Pose
Another fun thing to do during family photos is to have the family all lay on their backs, heads close together, and look up at the camera.
Games to Play During Family Photos
Let’s face it, family photos with toddlers and young kids can be a challenge! The best time of the day to schedule family photos is at “Golden Hour”, an hour before sunset. Which is also the time toddler sare the most cranky! To help loosen everyone up and provide some great distraction, I love to play a few fun games!
My two favorite games to play during family photo shoots are Simon Says and Hand Tag. I like to mix things up though and I change Simon Says into “Crisanta Says”. Then, I’ll have the family do a series of silly things to get some fun family photos of everyone laughing.
Hand Tag
My favorite game that never fails is to have the kids race towards me and tag my hand. It’s important to tell them to not run too fast and to not push each other as they are running. I like to do this towards the end of the family photo shoot, in case someone stumbles and falls.
Simon Says
A second game to play during outdoor family photos! This one is such a fun way to get everyone moving and loosened up during a family session with me! It helps break the ice, encourages genuine laughs, and brings out those natural connections in families. Simple prompts like when I say “Simon says, give mom a big hug!” work great! Another fun switch is to have the parents or older siblings do the “Simon says” part- lots of silly requests always come up!
Outdoor Family Photo Ideas with Toddlers and Young Children
These are some of my favorite poses! When I capturing mom or dad playing with their kids, I alway sget the best genuine and candid expressions.
Tossing Up in the Air
One of my favorite family pic poses ideas! I’ll ask Dad to lift their child up high in the air above them- or even give them a fun toss! Kids go crazy for this- not only am I getting real expressions, but the kids are have FUN! Which is what a family photoshoot should always be- fun!
Riding on Parents Shoulders
Sometimes I’ll also ask Dads to carry their kids on their shoulders- and kids love it!
Upside Down Hold
Everyone can’t help but smile when a parent picks up their kids and turns them upside down. These are sure to bring all the giggles! When it comes to poses for children’s pictures, this is always a favorite for the kids!
And by the way, this also works great for older siblings to do with younger siblings, if the oldest is strong enough- and game for it!
Family Pic Poses Ideas for Older Kids
I photograph families with kids of all ages. Yes, you will see most examples of “family photos” with younger kids, but let’s not forget about the older kids, too! As kids grow older, family photos take on a whole new dynamic- it becomes less about “cute” and playful poses and more about your kids personalities and who they are they becoming.
Older kids bring a different energy to family photos, and I love to focus more on their confidence and style. But that doesn’t mean the fun has to stop!
Finding creative family picture ideas that resonate with older kids can make your photoshoot enjoyable for even your teens! Yes, its possible!
How?
Sibling Hugs in Family Photoshoots
Well, one of my favorite things to do is ask the siblings to give each other the tightest hug. I love how it creates the BEST connection.
Pro Tip: I usually put the youngest in the middle if there are more than three or more siblings!
Give a Kiss!
Then, I’ll ask them to give each other the biggest kiss and see how they react.
Prompt Ideas for Family Photo Ideas Outdoors
There are lots of different prompts I give my clients to get real interactions and emotions in my family photos shoots! The prompts I give and the games we play are great for the entire group and help everyone loosen up.
Follow the Leader
This is a great ice-breaker for outdoor family photos! I always ask the youngest family member to go in front and pull everyone else behind them. This makes them feel super important- and the smiles are always huge!
Piggy Back Rides
Who doesn’t love getting a piggy back ride? I know I still do! This is always a winner for genuine smiles from kids and connection with a parent. A family photo idea that is always a winner!
Go Crazy!
Ok this has got to be the most fun out of all the prompt ideas I give families. It’s as easy as it sounds- I tell families to just go crazy. They can do whatever expression or movement they want, and it always ends in laughter and smiles and is a favorite family pic poses ideas.
Surprise from Behind
Another idea is to have the parents sit down somewhere and have the kids run from behind and surprise their parents with hugs.
Tickles!
When all else fails, giving tickles is a guaranteed way to bring out the biggest smiles.
Family Photo Ideas Outdoor for One-On-One
Of course, the goal of family photos is to get an amazing shot of everyone together. But, a huge and very important part of my photo shoots is to also get great shots of parents individually with their kids. As well, as shots of just the siblings. I love focusing on these one on one moments and I have a few go to poses that work amazing for this.
Hugs from Behind
Twirling Child Around
I love to ask Dad to twirl around their daughter- or even an older sibling to twirl around their sibling.
Kids Kissing Parents
Tips for a Successful Family Photo Shoot
A family photo shoot should be fun and laid-back for everyone involved! I’ve got a few tips to help make your next session smooth and stress-free in this blog post: Key tips for a great family photo shoot. But real quick- one of the biggest things? Keep it light! Things like some fun music, cracking jokes, making each other laugh and going with the flow are so important! It also helps to plan ahead—choose outfits that go well together without being too matchy, and pack any special toys or props to keep the kids happy. And don’t forget the snacks and water! Little treats can be a lifesaver when it comes to keeping the kids happy and smiling. family pic poses ideas
So there you have it! My best tips and tricks for family pic poses ideas! Do you need your own family photos? I would love to take them for you and meet your beautiful family! My Orange County family photography studio is located in Brea, CA, but I photograph families all over Orange County. I have a few outdoor locations, like parks, nature areas and beaches, that I love in the area. Contact me here if you’d like more information!
