Whether shooting in a studio, out on location, or in a client’s home, family photographers face a unique set of challenges, but they can always expect to capture amazing portraits so long as they’re comfortable in one key area: Posing. Of course, lighting, backdrops, and other factors play a major role as well, not to mention the temperament of any children present for the shoot, but capturing flattering poses and expressions typically ranks highest in importance for family portraits. This holds true for both traditional or lifestyle family photography. To help ensure your next family session goes well, we’ve put together 5 family portrait poses you can use to take better family photos.
Family Portrait Gear Recommendations
Before we jump into the posing tips, let’s quickly discuss camera gear for family photography. You don’t have to purchase the most expensive gear on the market to capture incredible family portraits, but it’ll help immensely to find a camera with advanced autofocus options (and dual card slots for backup purposes, if possible) and wide-aperture lenses that cover a wide focal range, among other things. Here are some comparably-priced options that I or my team have experience using in order to help narrow your search. Please note that this list is not meant to be exhaustive.
DSLR Cameras
*Other models are available at lower & higher price points.
Mirrorless Cameras
*Other models are available at lower & higher price points.
Lenses
- 35mm Prime: Canon (EF Mount, RF Mount) | Nikon (for DSLR, Z Series) | Sony
- 50mm Prime: Canon (EF Mount, RF Mount) | Nikon (for DSLR, Z Series) | Sony
- 85mm Prime: Canon (EF Mount, RF Mount) | Nikon (for DSLR, Z Series) | Sony
- 24-70mm Zoom: Canon (EF Mount, RF Mount) | Nikon (for DSLR, Z Series) | Sony
- 70-200mm Zoom: Canon (EF Mount, RF Mount) | Nikon (for DSLR, Z Series) | Sony
*Some lenses may require an adapter, depending on the camera body used.
*Other models are available at lower & higher price points. Also look for quality 3rd party lenses from Sigma, Tamron, and others.
Lighting Modifiers
Tripod
And now, without further ado, let’s get started.
5 Family Portrait Poses for Better Photos
- Classic Pose
- Hug and Squeeze Pose
- Editorial Pose
- Action Poses
- Solo Poses and Other Combinations
- Bonus – Crops for Variety
Pose #1: Classic Pose
One of the most popular family portrait poses, the one you often see in framed portraits on the mantle, has to be the classic pose. Photographers often start family portrait sessions with the classic pose in order to secure what is known as a safety shot. Family members are still fresh, kids are usually engaged and haven’t had any breakdowns yet, making it the perfect time to set up this quick and easy pose and capture a few shots that will look great up on the wall.
You should always try to meet with your clients before a session to gain more insight into their preferences, but chances are they’re going to want a portrait with a classic pose. The exact structure of the classic pose will vary depending on how many family members you’re photographing, the differences in their height, and whether or not they’re all standing or sitting, or both. You will typically start at the center and build the pose out from there. Here are a few things to look for, in particular, when placing your family (or your client’s family) into a classic pose.
Triangles
A commonly used technique in group portraiture is to create triangles between subjects, even if more than three subjects occupy the frame. For the most part, it comes down to staggering your subjects so that their heads are grouped into a triangular pattern. Doing this creates a unique path and keeps the viewer looking around the frame. When executed properly, triangles also lend a sense of balance and stability to the portrait.
Touchpoints/Connections
The more connected the family members are, literally, the better. Leaving too much space between family will change the whole tone of the portrait. You can create connections in a couple ways. First, simple overlap between family members standing next to each other works well to establish connection, but you don’t want to cover more than 20-30% of any one person, unless he or she is standing in a back row. The other way to create a connection is to have family members hold hands or grab on the arm or shoulder of the next person over.
Pro Tip for Tack-Sharp Focus: When photographing groups, you’ll generally need to close down the aperture to increase the depth of field. A narrow aperture, anywhere between f/2.8 and f/8, will help ensure that all family members remain in focus. The more rows of people you have, the narrower the aperture needs to be and/or the farther you need to stand from the group. Of course, if the group lines up on a single focal plane, then you can use a wider aperture and take advantage of the effects of having a shallow depth of field, such as separation between your subjects and the background, creamy bokeh, and so on.
Family Portrait Poses #2: Hug and Squeeze Pose
The hug and squeeze pose closely resembles the classic family pose but this time, everyone will lean in towards the center of the frame. This pose provides a natural progression from the classic pose, and it’s perfect for introducing a more candid, authentic feel to the photos.
Directing the family into the squeeze pose is easy. Ask everyone to lean in and try to hug the person in the middle. You can add variation to this pose by directing everyone to look at the person in the center and smile.
Pose #3: Editorial Pose
Editorial poses are defined more by serious expressions, stoic poses, and dramatic lighting, when compared to the classic pose. They’re also a little more difficult to execute, but this shouldn’t stop you from giving it a try, especially if that’s the look the family wants.
Here’s a quick breakdown of how to set up an editorial pose:
- Start with posing objects: If you’re going to seat any of the family members for the editorial shot, set up the chairs first.
- Place two subjects in the center and build out from there: I usually place the parents in center first, and then move everybody else into an approximate position on either side. You may end up with an uneven number of people on each side, but careful spacing and positioning will still allow you to create balance (not to be confused with symmetry).
- Create connections (mentioned in the classic pose above) and watch out for too much overlap.
- Try to pose the family so that they are not mirroring one another with the exact same hand positions, poses, etc.
- If you use an external camera flash to light the group, try to light top-down from higher up to avoid casting shadows from one family member to the next.
- Direct the family into different expressions to deliver a wider variety of images and make the time it takes to set this pose up more worthwhile.
Try not to stress too much about editorial posing. If you do, then you’ll likely have a harder time successfully capturing an editorial family portrait. Just prepare as best you can and try to make it work.
Pro Tip for Dramatic Lighting Using Natural Light: Not all dramatic lighting has to come from flash. In fact, you can use natural existing lighting to add more depth with light direction in your group photos. The following video from Adorama’s YouTube channel focuses more on candid-style posing than editorial posing, but the lighting techniques it demonstrates can be used effectively for both posing styles.
Family Portrait Poses #4: Action Poses
In addition to standard family portrait poses, introduce some action to create more dynamic, candid family photos. Here are a few examples of how to add motion to your still frames.
Walking
I typically like to transition into walking photos immediately after the classic and squeeze poses. It’s a convenient way to change locations while giving the family a moment to relax and “pose” for candid photos. When directing the family into a walking shot, you can ask them to walk hand in hand in a straight line (think follow the leader) or side by side.
Running
A running pose requires the kids to get active, which will likely be a very welcome part of the session. Parents need only stand together while the kids either run circles around them or dart in a line straight toward the camera. Either way, smiles come natural during this section and the photos will likely be included among the family’s favorites.
Throwing
This might sound funny, but family photographers often ask parents to lift or throw their children into the air. The move does not have to be overly complicated and this “pose” does not require dangerously high aerial maneuvers. Each parent should only do what he/she/they is comfortable with.
Pose #5: Solo Poses and Other Combinations
Although the term “family photography” suggests each portrait will include a group, it’s common to capture individual portraits of each family member, as well as smaller combinations of different members together (e.g., dad and daughter, brother and sister, mom and both kids, etc.).
Mom & Dad
Within each family photography session, it’s a good idea to capture a few couples portraits of the parents. In the video below, you’ll find a couples posing crash course with foundational poses good for engagements, weddings, and families. Check it out.
Kids
When it comes to photographing children, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, kids will match your energy. It’s important to stay energized and allow yourself to goof around with them a bit. It also helps to let the kids be kids. Incorporate natural play into your portraits, especially when photographing two or more siblings.
If you’re short on ideas when photographing siblings, you can always ask them to tickle each other or tell jokes. Parents can join in the fun as well, even one at a time. Cues will vary based on the ages of the children, of course, but it always helps to talk with the kids throughout the session so that you can get to know them better and figure out a plan for getting the expressions you want to capture.
Pro Tip for Composition: The best children’s portraits usually feature tighter crops and a lower perspective. Don’t be afraid to kneel down to the kids’ level and get up close to the action. Check out this article for more kids photography ideas for creative photos.
Family Portrait Poses – Bonus Tip: The Moments in Between
Although we’ve focused on specific poses thus far, I would also remind you to look for the moments in between. These include everything from personal, unprompted moments between family members, such as a dad playing with his daughter to get her happy for the shoot, to meltdowns from kids who’ve decided they’d rather be somewhere else. Family photos hold special meaning for those featured in them. What strangers might consider a “blooper” shot might just end up being a fun family favorite from the shoot. Whether or not the photos prove worthy of your portfolio, they capture real moments, and most families will appreciate them.
Conclusion
Whether you’re photographing clients or documenting your own family gatherings, the poses and tips above should help you successfully navigate any family session. Use these family portrait poses to create an efficient workflow and capture images the family will cherish for generations.
Remember, no matter how the session unfolds, be patient, keep a positive attitude, and keep the session moving. Accomplishing this might require giving people breaks while you focus on specific family members. The way we make our clients feel can have a more significant impact than the actual quality of the photos. Great photos plus a bad experience equals bad photos. Being able to communicate your thoughts in a kind manner will go a long way.
Lastly, after you’ve completed the session and you’re ready to share the images with the family, be sure to remind them of the importance of print so that they can always keep the photos and the people in them top of mind. After all, isn’t that why we’re capturing these photos in the first place?
