Family Photo Shoots with Older Kids

If you’re worried that your kids won’t be thrilled with the idea of a family photoshoot, this one is for you!

Family photos document all different ages and stages of your family story, but at each point, there may be people in the family that don’t run at the idea with open arms. I want to encourage you that I’ve seen it before, and I always get the feedback after the photoshoot that it was “actually fun”. I’m on your team and let me expand on some ideas of conquering a family photoshoot with teens and young adults.

We talk about your kids’ ages and interests at the planning appointment

With information comes power. Knowing what your kids are into gives us the ability to honour their interests and stage of life. After all, what you’ll look back on and what will make you truly love and cherish these photos, is looking at them and thinking, “that’s so us”. We make that happen by including things that will bring them out of their shell and draw out their personalities.

Get their input

Kids at this age don’t generally love to talk, but they may have some ideas or input. Give them the opportunity to share and take their comments on board. Whether that be coming to the planning appointment, talking to you about their ideas over a warm drink before bed, writing their ideas and texting them to you, or them sending screenshots of images they find online they think would be nice to replicate.

Pick a location that leads itself to actions

We all have our comfort zones and often movement and exploration are the best ways to get us loosened up and enjoying the moment. Being intentional about the location will make a big difference and we’ll cover this in the planning meeting. Standing still with forced smiles, isn’t going to cut it and isn’t going to celebrate this season of your life. Let’s include movement and capture images that are true to life, in places where their curiosity and cleverness and even choaticness can take over.

Include a fun activity

Take the pressure of by making the day about them, about memories they’re making. This will look different for each family but some winning ideas I’ve used before include going for ice cream, exploring city lanes, playing at the beach or pool, or getting into nature. These settings take the pressure off and shift gears from still family portraits and into a fun, memory-making adventure where we capture your family as they are today.

If you’re wanting to get family photos, but you’re worried your older kids may be disinterested, unenthusiastic or hesitant, I’m here to guide you through it.

Your family story is waiting to be told, even when you’re kids are taller than you! It’s a precious season, often before they go off and have their own families. Together let’s discuss ways that will help your family make some beautiful memories together.