How to Take Your Own Family Photos: A Full Guide

Want to capture beautiful family moments without the high costs of professional photography sessions?

Taking your family photos is not only budget-friendly but also allows you to create memories on your schedule.

Many families struggle to find time for professional photo shoots, especially for special occasions like holidays or birthdays.

Fortunately, with simple preparation and basic equipment, you can take stunning family portraits yourself.

In this guide, we’ll walk through easy steps to help you photograph your family like a pro.

You’ll learn everything from planning your shoot to editing the final images, with helpful tips that make the process smooth and enjoyable for everyone involved.

Steps to Take Family Photos on Your Own

Step 1: Plan Ahead

Good family photos require planning. Choose locations with clean, simple backgrounds to avoid distractions. Parks, beaches, or your backyard work well.

Visit in advance to check lighting; early morning and late afternoon provide the best light. Make a list of poses, especially for children, to save time and reduce stress.

Select clothing that complements each other but isn’t too identical. Solid colors are preferable to busy patterns that distract from faces.

Step 2: Get Your Camera Onto A Tripod

A tripod is a must-have tool for family photos where you want to include yourself. It keeps your camera steady, maintains consistent framing, and lets you focus on posing your family.

You don’t need to spend a lot on a tripod. Look for one sturdy enough to hold your camera safely but light enough to carry easily. Ensure it extends to eye level or higher for the most natural-looking photos.

When setting up your tripod, ensure all legs are fully extended and locked on stable ground. Avoid placing it on uneven surfaces or in locations where it might get bumped.

Step 3: Set Up A Remote Trigger

Remote triggers eliminate the need to run back and forth between your camera and family. This simple device allows you to take photos from a distance.

Two main options exist: wireless remotes (small handheld devices that trigger the shutter) and intervalometers (devices that can take photos at set intervals). Both are relatively inexpensive and compatible with most camera models.

An intervalometer offers an extra benefit – it can take multiple photos automatically, increasing your chances of capturing that perfect moment when everyone is smiling.

Step 4: Set Your Exposure

Take time to adjust your camera settings before bringing everyone into position:

• Aperture: Use f/5.6 to f/11 to ensure everyone is focused, especially when family members are at different distances from the camera.
• Shutter Speed: Set to 1/125 second or faster to freeze small movements, essential when photographing children.
• ISO: Choose the lowest possible setting for your lighting conditions to minimize graininess. In bright daylight, ISO 100-400 typically works well.

Take test shots and check your camera’s display to confirm your settings create well-lit, clear images.

Step 5: Get Everyone Into Position

Timing is everything when positioning your family. Bring children into the frame last to prevent boredom and fidgeting during setup.

Arrange taller family members in the back and shorter ones in front. This creates depth and ensures everyone is visible.

Leave a small amount of space between family members to create a more relaxed feel – having everyone squeeze together too tightly can look forced.

Tip: For the most natural-looking photos, position people at slight angles to each other rather than standing in a straight line.

Step 6: Pre-Focus

Focus is vital for sharp family photos. Follow these steps:

1. Center your focus on the middle person. This keeps most members in focus with the suggested aperture settings.

2. Switch to manual focus to lock the point and avoid refocusing when pressing the shutter button.

3. Use face detection, if your camera has it, to focus on faces automatically.

4. Once everyone is arranged, take a test shot and check the sharpness of the eyes on your screen.

Step 7: Get in The Frame! 

Now for the fun part: posing with your family. Set your intervalometer to capture multiple shots with a few seconds in between. This time lets you get in position and shows various expressions.

If using a remote, set your camera to take 3-5 burst shots per button. Take more photos than needed to increase the chances of a great shot with everyone looking good.

Relax and enjoy the process; natural smiles appear when everyone has fun, not stressing over the “perfect” picture.

Editing Tips

Simple editing can transform good photos into great ones:

• Start making basic adjustments: fix brightness, contrast, and color balance.
• Consider cropping to enhance composition and eliminate unwanted edges. Use black and white for a classic look to disguise minor color flaws. Adjust skin tones subtly to avoid an artificial appearance.
• Many free or low-cost editing apps, like Lightroom Mobile, offer user-friendly features ideal for family photos. Save original and edited versions to retain your original image for future editing experiments.

Bonus Tips: Fun and Creative Ideas

Make your family photos more special with these creative approaches:

• Walking Together: Try walking shots where the family walks hand-in-hand toward the camera. These create natural, joyful moments.
• Genuine Laughter: Capture authentic laughter by telling jokes or playing simple games during the photo session.
• Fresh Perspectives: Change your angle by shooting from above (standing on a chair) or ground level for an interesting look.
• Include Pets: Add family pets for heart-warming photos that capture your complete family unit.

Conclusion

Taking your family photos saves money while creating lasting memories on your terms.

You can capture beautiful family moments without hiring a professional by following the steps in this guide—planning your location, using a tripod and remote trigger, setting proper exposure, focusing carefully, and making simple edits.

The true value comes from the final images and the experience of creating them together. Don’t stress about perfection; candid, slightly imperfect shots often become the most treasured.

Start small, practice often, and remember to put yourself in the photos too. Your family will thank you for these visual stories in years to come.