Capturing Authenticity: Embracing Unscripted Moments in Family Photography
Family photography sessions have a magical way of freezing moments in time, preserving the joy, love, and connection that define a family. While it’s natural for parents to hope that their child/ren will be on their very best behaviour, and hope for perfectly posed portraits - there’s an undeniable charm in capturing the unscripted nature of young children … even when their behaviour isn’t quite what you may have expected.
Children are inherently authentic, and their unfiltered emotions are what make them so endearing. A family photography session that embraces unscripted moments can result in images that tell a genuine and heartwarming story. I may always approach a family portrait with a loose plan and an idea of poses that I want to try, but I am always flexible and can change things up depending on how the littlest subjects respond to the situation. I try my best to create an environment where everyone feels comfortable and free to be themselves, and my ultimate goal is to capture genuine expressions and the connection and authentic moments that tell the beautiful story of your family.
I have a great deal of experience working with children of all ages and abilities, even outside of the realm of photography during my work as a communicative disorders assistant, IBI therapist and educational assistant within elementary schools. During portrait sessions, I have worked with babies and toddlers who do not want to leave the safety of their parents arms. Sometimes little ones are extremely shy, or just take a bit more time to come around. Other times, a child may just be having an “off” day in terms of temperament, or may be more serious than smiley. Whatever the case may be - I am prepared and always come to a session with some tricks up my sleeve so that the result is a successful portrait session together. Candid moments of childhood mischief, curiosity, and spontaneity are ones that will undoubtedly bring a smile to your face, especially as the years go by.
When approaching a session with a baby or a younger child, incorporating play, a beloved stuffy, or interesting toy can help a them feel more comfortable and at ease, while still allowing for picture-perfect moments and expressions to be captured. Not every session goes off without a hitch. Children will be children, and sometimes that means silly, or unpredictable behaviour. My biggest piece of advice to parents is to trust your photographer to work their magic. Relax. Let the kids be themselves, and go with the flow. Children go through so many stages and ages, and grow up oh-so-quickly!! Don’t miss out on the opportunity to freeze these fleeting moments together in time.
If you are considering booking a family portrait session, I still have a bit of availability remaining for September & October (the most ideal Fall months for capturing an outdoor session). Ask about our special promo for sessions that take place at my outdoor country property near Shallow Lake.
