Family photo sessions capture cherished moments and create memories, preserving the unique bonds and shared experiences that define the essence of a family.

Family photography captures meaningful moments and fosters connections among family members. In this article, the renowned family photographer Giulia Morandi shares invaluable tips to enhance the experience and outcome of these sessions, ensuring that the memories created are visually stunning and emotionally resonant. From choosing the perfect location to incorporating personalized touches, Giulia’s expertise adds depth and warmth to family portraits, turning them into treasured keepsakes.

The joy that professional family photoshoot brings

As Giulia Morandi sees it, everyday life can be overwhelming, and even when travelling, it's always tricky to be all together in the same photo. Thus, organizing a family lifestyle photo session is the perfect opportunity for a family to spend time together in a casual atmosphere. It is a quality time to spend with your family, laughing together in an everyday situation or visiting a new city. It often happens that even on special occasions, families are never all together in a photograph, and organizing a lifestyle session can be the perfect occasion to be once together in the photos and remember the spontaneous moments. Although Giulia’s photo sessions have an intrinsic spontaneous characteristic, it requires a little preparation before the shooting, in terms of outfits, location, and light.

The secret of candid family portraits

If you wish to have spontaneous and creative family portraits, you need to hire a talented and professional family photographer who has experience working with kids. As Giulia Morandi explains, it can be challenging to have them smile in the photographs, and not every photographer is used to finding ways to get the children involved in the photos and make them smile. Giulia’s technique is to use some simple prompts that are familiar to families and speak with the children about what they like and how long the photo shoot will last.

Her advice is to choose the right family lifestyle photographer if you like authentic and genuine photos. You won’t get good candid family portraits if your family doesn’t feel free in front of the photographer. After all, it's necessary to feel comfortable with the photographer because emotions also emerge through bodies and facial expressions. A Giulia concludes, that the photographer should be professional and reliable but also needs to reflect your idea of aesthetics and sensibility, and you will feel you enjoy your family lifestyle photoshoot.

Finding the perfect location

The second point to have an amazing family lifestyle photoshoot experience is to choose the perfect location according to the best time of the day. Giulia Morandi notes that choosing the photo shoot location carefully is especially important if you’re planning the session while travelling. As you are visiting a new country, it may be interesting to include a storytelling part for a whole day or part of it. You can choose to be photographed starting from the hotel room or the main square of the city. It can be followed by an outdoor family photoshoot in a very casual manner.

If you’re including a few couples’ portraits, you may consider creating little romantic scenes, for example, sipping a glass of wine in a cute café. While preparing for the family photo shoot, plan little activities that can help you entertain the children and thus make the photos lively.

The importance of light

Giulia Morandi says that the last fundamental characteristic of family lifestyle photography involves the photographer's control of the light. That is why you must let your local photographer help you choose the best time for the photo shoot.

As a local photographer who knows the area, both in terms of the best photo spots and the best time of the day for taking photos, you must follow their guidelines. For example, you may consider booking your photographer at sunrise when visiting a very touristy city, since you don't want to have many people around you in the photographs. A knowledgeable photographer will advise you on the off-peak tourist flow in the city spots where you plan to have your family session.

The final touches for natural family portraits

When planning a family photoshoot, you cannot overlook the outfits. As Giulia Morandi explains, in the family lifestyle photo shoot, matching the outfits of the family members is fundamental to give consistency and uniformity to the ensemble. Wearing matching outfits is not the case, but the best advice is to use a few colours to combine throughout the family. When planning family photo session outfits, feel free to consult with your photographer, they will advise you on the outfit style and colours to choose so that they look stunning in the photos.

Capturing moments in memorable family photos

Beyond the lens, beyond the composition, lies a profound celebration of love, laughter, and the unique stories of each family. Giulia Morandi, an artist who captures these nuanced moments, transforms family photo sessions into genuine reflections of the love and connections that bind families together. From the selection of the ideal location to the choice of outfits, Giulia’s tips enrich the artistry of family photography, ensuring that each frame tells a story.

Additionally, family photo sessions while travelling serve as a dynamic canvas for capturing the spirit of exploration and shared adventures. Against the backdrop of new landscapes and cultural wonders, these sessions transform into vibrant narratives. The candid shots amid historical landmarks not only freeze moments in time but also tell a unique story of a family's journey together. The spontaneity and authenticity that arise from exploring new environments add a special charm to these photographs.

Family photo sessions, guided by the expertise of photographers like Giulia Morandi, transcend the mere act of taking pictures. They become poignant reflections of life's journey, encapsulating the essence of love and togetherness.

Author: Renāte Berga

Family photographer: Giulia Morandi