How do I get family photos that are unique to me?
I get this question never (lol), but it popped up in a recent Google search and I decided to write about it!
I’ve talked about the uniqueness and joy of telling your story in a family photo session earlier on the blog, but maybe you’re like me and need a few more concrete ideas to kick off your creativity. Before we get to the specifics, though, start here:
Ask yourself a few questions
I’m a big fan of self-reflection, so here are a few questions you can ask yourself to get started planning your unique family photo session:
What do you and your family love to do when you have down time?
What are your kids’ favorite activities?
What’s special to you in this season, or unique to your story? Sidenote: it doesn’t have to be unique compared to other people, it could simply be unique for your life right now. What’s happening that you’ve not gone through before? Or that’s meaningful, whether it’s unique or ordinary?
What are your values? Do you love time together? Racking up adventures? Exploring the world? Quietly making your community a better place? Celebrating your identity? Brainstorm some ideas to memorialize that through photos!
This is just the start, but take a few moments to think through what matters to you, what’s happening in your lives in this season, and how you’d like to remember it, and the concrete ideas for your next photo session will start flowing!
Consider these ideas for your next family photo session
Now that you’ve thought about what matters and is unique about your story in this season (or you skipped that part and went straight for the concrete suggestions!), here are some ways to bring some uniqueness to your family photos:
Schedule an at-home family session.
Your home is uniquely yours, no matter what state it’s in! And it doesn’t have to be Pinterest-perfect to be worthy of remembering. Mine certainly isn’t! Here are more reasons to consider an in-home, storytelling family session.
Build a favorite activity into your session.
Go for a walk or hike; break out the books, board games, soccer ball, or family olympics; plan a baking activity (*so* many great photos here!) or family picnic; or head to the beach! Other fun ideas include roasting marshmallows in your backyard or favorite camping spot, paddle boarding or kayaking with your teens, going indoor rock climbing…if your family (especially your kids) love doing it, you’ll get great photos and have a blast.
Plan it around a special family moment
Maybe someone is retiring or graduating high school or has a big birthday or your family farm is hitting a big anniversary — you definitely want photos of it!
Get kooky (or coordinated!) with outfits
If you have young children who love playing dress-up, your family is really into Halloween or cosplay, or you just love bringing a unique voice to the world through your clothes, plan a session around that! Or dress for your setting - I loved these nap dresses from a beach session!
You make your family photos unique by being you.
It sounds cheesy, but it’s true. No one else does family just like you do, so your family photo session will be unique no matter what. But if you want to mix it up and try something new this time, let’s talk!
