How to Pose Families & Create Natural, Carefree and Candid Photos

Houston Family Photographer, Sarah Borchgrevink, uses dynamic natural light, timeless locations, and candid, close knit posing to create fun and carefree portraits.

Simple Tips for Photographing Natural Family Sessions

Howdy, friends! Thanks for visiting my little blog to see some fun and easy tips on posing families in order to create candid, natural, and gorgeous family portraits. My name is Sarah and I'm a Houston TX Photographer offering lovely outdoor family sessions. My sessions are fun, laid back and carefree. However, over the years I have learned simple tips that help the session run smoothly. 

You see, as a mother to three little girls, I treasure the images that are more natural and truly showcase my children's personalities. Photography is a connection to our past, a link to who we are, and will always bring you back to those precious memories, such as babies first steps or a fun milestone sessions. For example, this sweet family I am previewing today has been wonderful to work with over the last year. They began as maternity & newborn clients, and have commissioned me to document their family's outdoor family photography session plus their sweet son's first birthday images. This in mind, they're truly a joy to photograph and I'm thrilled to use their session as an example.

Choose a quiet location

The foundation of a great family session is selecting an environment in which your subjects feel comfortable. I prefer rustic, rural locations such as an open field. This type of location is quiet and will allow your client to relax. It can already be a little bit nerve wracking to have a huge DSLR camera in your face; by selecting a location that's off the beaten path and does not have a lot of traffic, you won't feel like people are staring at you. It'll allow you to take a step back and enjoy the beauty of nature.

To elaborate, when booking a session with me, clients are given a curated location list to browse. This allows you to see sample galleries and different types of sessions from sunrise and sunset, to maternity, child or family. These are locations I have hand selected for quality and aesthetic purposes since it's important the final look be timeless.

Give your clients an activity or task

I always start my sessions by giving my clients something to do; typically it's something like playing with their children. I will ask them to tickle baby, or make a "baby sandwich" so that baby is on display. It also helps clients relax to have their child in their arms. Assigning a task or activity ensures they know what to do with their hands and they're not awkward standing there, unsure what to do. The session should flow smoothly and not have any weird pauses or parents feeling like you're not leading. Take charge of your session.

Take a step back and have fun

When I was a little girl and growing up, having your photo taken generally meant you'd sit in one spot at a photo studio like Sears or JC Penny; you would be perfectly posed like a statue and smile directly at the camera. While it is nice to have a few photos of everyone smiling and looking at the camera, it's also great to have images in which the client is not thinking about the camera. Take a step back. Forget what you've always been told about photography. Simple tips for creating vivacious and fun family photos can including little one being tossed into the air, running, playing, tickle fights, or just cuddling up together. 

Think about focal plane

Your focal plane is super important in achieving candid, fun photos because everyone needs to be seen. I like for all of the subjects to be on display; it also makes sure everyone is in photo. I typically line my clients up in a cozy position where everyone is comfortable. Don't be nervous to adjust your client. If you can see the bottom of Dad's shoes, just rotate him. If Mom has a leaf in her hair, just remove it; these things are much easier to fix during the session than to worry about in processing. When everyone is lined up in the proper focal plane, you can see all the limbs, expressions, smiles, and also the background.

Encourage your client and give positive feedback

Clients don't like silence. When they're with you, they may feel like the session is not going well if you don't utter a single word. Keep things light and fun; ask them questions but also don't forget to give positive feedback to them. If you notice Mom is super pretty in the golden morning light, tell her. If baby looks precious, make sure to tell Dad how much you're enjoying time with little one. I promise clients respond well to positive reinforcement and it makes them feel more comfortable. When photographing my clients, it's almost like a little "mini friend date". I say this meaning that you have about half an hour to get to know them; you want to treat them like a friend because family photography is a personal experience. They've chosen you and should have a great time during their session.

Thanks for stopping by my blog to read about posing families in a candid, natural and carefree manner! I'm excited you've visited and hope these tips are helpful to you! 

You may also be interested in reading:

• 8 Awesome Tips for an Amazing Maternity & Family Session
• Choosing the perfect outdoor sunrise location
• What to wear for fall family photos in the south

Here's what this client had to say about their photo experience with Sarah:

Sarah has done both our newborn posed session and a first year family session. I have ABSOLUTELY LOVED every single picture she has taken and produced. Sarah is a wonderful photographer and goes above and beyond to help you not only save these memories, but make new ones as well. We will definitely use Sarah again!

Sarah Borchgrevink Photography is a Houston Newborn Photographer specializing in gorgeous posed newborn sessions. Her studio is located in Northwest Houston. In addition to breathtaking baby portraiture, Sarah also offers stylish natural light family photography as well as dynamic outdoor maternity sessions for expecting mothers and couples. Sarah joyfully serves the entire Harris and Montgomery county areas including North Houston, Cypress, Tomball, Spring, Jersey Village, The Woodlands, Magnolia, Conroe, Willis, Montgomery, Humble, Kingwood, Porter, New Caney, Waller, Memorial & West Houston, Katy, Fulshear, Sugar Land, Pearland, Hempstead, Richmond, West University, Rice Village and Porter TX. Connect to chat with Sarah today! Please consider booking your session at your earliest convenience in order to secure your appointments on the calendar.

Feminine & Dainty Newborn Girl Photography | Houston Baby Photos

Houston Newborn Photographer, Sarah Borchgrevink, offers stunning newborn girl photography that is soft, dainty, and feminine.

Hi, friends! Welcome! I'm thrilled you're here to see one of the latest newborn baby girl's I've had in my Houston Newborn Photo Studio. When it comes to working with fresh new babies, their sessions take place in the first 18 days, as this is when babies are most curly and able to be molded into precious images. However, I also offer a plethora of gorgeous newborn wrapping, as this is a cornerstone to all of my baby portraiture. 

When booking, this sweet baby girl's mom requested the session to be soft, neutral, and dainty. After all, what's more lovely than a brand new baby girl? With this inspiration in mind, I pulled many great props from my stash. For instance, for her first set up, I pulled an adorable organic wrap, petite tieback to adorn her little forehead, and a bowl to showcase how new and curly she is.

After her bowl set up, we moved to a gorgeous cream backdrop. This style of wrapping is one of my favorites because it keeps baby happy, safe, and they are able to be "molded" into sweet poses with their hands, especially. It's important baby looks serene and at peace.

For her flokati set up, I really focused on a vintage tie back, seen below, and a classic bonnet. The flokati rug is tan, so it's about as neutral as you can get! While I really enjoy using color, neutrals can be very soothing and will look wonderful with many styles of decor in your home. After all, the photos are meant to be displayed along your walls and albums should line your shelves. You'll never regret having a newborn session. 

I like to use this cradle with both newborn girls and boys, however, the styling can differ depending on the gender. Nevertheless, this lovely sage bonnet and wrap are perfect for this sweet baby girl. You see, green is fantastic because it can be both bold or soft, depending on your preferences. I personally like this sage because it's a little bit muted, which adds to the vintage vibe I like to encompass. This cradle was a great find in my local antique shop! That's where I find most of my floor props - just hunting and looking for treasures, ha!

After the cradle, I pulled a rustic wooden bucket and a grey wrap that also has hints of lavendar. Like green, grey is one of those colors that can be masculine or feminine, depending on the hue. For instance, this one is soft and has more of a heather tone to it, so it's perfect for a little lady. At 9 days fresh and new, baby girls are truly just a dream!

After my floor props, we move to back to bean bag to do the adorable "tucked in" shot and the tootsie wrap. The tucked in shot is a fun way to bring in another color you've seen earlier in the session; this bonnet is perfect because it's the muted sage but also is not distracting. I like the hats to make baby's cheeks look plump and showcase their adorable newborn characteristics, such as full lips or their button nose. Photographing newborns is a joy and I really look forward to each and every session.

This blue wrap, seen further down, was really fun to use because it's nice to pull inspiration from colors not typically associated with a particular gender. For instance, while blue is often thought of as a "boy" color, I do think it looks lovely and soft on a little girl, especially when paired with a tieback. It almost reminds me of Cinderella and her blue gown at the ball, oh gosh! As a little girl, she was my favorite Disney princess, however, my own kiddos are partial to Jasmine now, lol! 

Thank you for visiting my blog to see an adorable newborn girl photo session! I hope you liked reading about I style my portraiture work to be dainty, soft, femineine and inspired by all things vintage. Have a great day, friends! 

Sarah Borchgrevink Photography is a Houston Newborn Photographer specializing in gorgeous posed newborn sessions. Her studio is located in Northwest Houston. In addition to breathtaking baby portraiture, Sarah also offers stylish natural light family photography as well as dynamic outdoor maternity sessions for expecting mothers and couples. Sarah joyfully serves the entire Harris and Montgomery county areas including North Houston, Cypress, Tomball, Spring, Jersey Village, The Woodlands, Magnolia, Conroe, Willis, Montgomery, Humble, Kingwood, Porter, New Caney, Waller, Memorial & West Houston, Katy, Fulshear, Sugar Land, Pearland, Hempstead, Richmond, West University, Rice Village and Porter TX. Connect to chat with Sarah today! Please consider booking your session at your earliest convenience in order to secure your appointments on the calendar.

 

8 Awesome Tips for an Amazing Outdoor Maternity Family Session

8 Awesome Tips for having a wonderful experience during your outdoor, natural light family maternity session.

Hi, friends! Welcome to my blog! Today's blog post is going to talk about howI prepare you for your outdoor, natural light family or maternity sessions. Your experience should be amazing! By following these tips, you're sure to have a successful session filled with beautiful images you treasure forever. These tips and tricks are helpful. I've accumulated them over the last 5 years and am thrilled to share them with you! Let's get started!

1: Choose a photographer's work you love

When booking your Houston family or maternity photographer, such as myself, truly take the time to peruse many portfolios. Check out their work. Read reviews and see what other parents are saying about the final product. Also, don't be afraid to ask questions. If you're looking for digital files, see if your photographer offers this. However, if digital files are not a priority, go ahead and ask for a consult so you can see the heirloom prints and products. I happen to offer both and am so excited to serve you! Moreover, when clients book with me, they're shown a full gallery of whichever session type the choose. While I am currently specializing in the custom art of Houston Newborn Photographer, I do offer a handful of other session types at limited times per year, such as baby plans or natural light maternity sessions. 

2: Pick an ideal location 

Now that you've found your photographer and are in love with the images, think about location. What makes you most excited? Do you like the busy, urban streets? Is a rustic field more your speed? Perhaps even your home is your preference. Each portrait artist does select locations differently, but I have a stunning curated list I've developed over the years you may select from. You may also be interested in seeing how I select my locations, too!

3: Carefully choose your clothing

Photography is absolutely an investment. I completely acknowledge this. Part of your investment is also wardrobe advice. It's important you look your best and select clothing that represents who you are. Your outfits are also important to select *after* you've chosen location, since they often go hand in hand. Imagine how silly a long ball gown would look, for example, if you choose a rural location such as pumpkin patch. Moreover, plaid may not look nice in a hotel lobby. It all depends on location. Outfits lend a specific theme to your session. I personally prefer timeless and classic options. I ask clients to avoid logos, cartoon characters, or outfits in which everyone is wearing something too similar. Check out tips for what to wear to your outdoor session if you have a moment! I've also created several neat inspiration boards for you based on the locations I use. These can be maternity in the spring, family photos in the fall, or perhaps even outdoor summer photo ideas. All of this information is given to you during your consult and new client welcome PDF so don't feel overwhelmed; it's made available for you. I also ask clients to send me photos of their outfits in advance and I help you tweak things, select stores, and even show you full galleries with similiar styles. 

4: Select an appointment when your children are rested

As a mother to three young children, I completely understand that nap times are important. I might even say they're sacred in my house. To elaborate, my kiddos do go to bed at the same time everyday and nap at the same time, too. While schedules seem boring to some people, I do recognize this keeps my household running smoothly and helps me predict when my little ones will be in an optimal mood for photo taking. For instance, since they're in bed by 7:30 PM every day, it would be hard to do a sunset family session in the summer since the sun does not even set until close to 9 PM. However, since they do wake up at 6:30 AM, it works really well for our household for us to do sunrise sessions. I know my kids will be well rested and enjoy the session much more. Sometimes, as adults, we expect perfection from young children and that's a really big expectation for them. It can also lead to disappointment. By selecting an appointment (sunrise or sunset) in which your child is rested, fed, and has not been rushed you're more likely to have a great portraiture experience. I do believe in embracing the spirit of the child and allowing them to be who they are so keep it simple on yourself: as a mom, you already have so much on your plate. 

5: Keep traffic in mind

I'm a Houston photographer, which means I serve the entire area including surrounding suburbs. This means the geographic area I serve is literally hundreds of miles. That's how big Houston is! It's funny when I talk to people who aren't from Houston because they have no idea how big this city is. You can be in the car for 60 minutes and still be in the city limits. It's totally common to drive 500 miles per week and as Houstonians, we all just sort of deal with it, including the awful traffic! All of your location addresses are given to you in advance (once you've signed your contract + paid retainer) so you can plan. We don't want you to leave your house at 7:30 AM for a 7:45 session and realize you're over an hour away from the destination. This is stressful and can make for a poor portraiture experience. By keeping traffic and travel times in mind, you will arrive without stress and be ready to have fun during our session! I know when I'm running late, I feel anxiety and pressure; we don't want that. We want you to feel relaxed because it's already enough work to get everyone ready to the shoot. I competitively sympathize that having professional photos done can be a spirited morning! These tips, however, are meant to makes things easier for you. 

For example, this family came from the 610 loop area of Houston near the Heights. Thankfully the morning was clear and we began on time, but it's always good to keep your photographer in the loop. Part of why it's so important we stay on schedule is because the natural light is uncontrolable; it only looks like this for a few minutes and then it's gone.

6: Let your photographer guide you

Sometimes parents come to a session with a whole board of images pinned on pinterest. They'll say, "Hey, we want THIS." While Pinterest and other websites can be really great sources of inspiration, your photographer cannot just copy a group of images and give you that exact replication. Not only may the images not reflect the style of the portraiture work you've commissioned, but it also can hurt your photographer's feelings, or lead to expectations they're not able to fulfill. This is why it's really important to hire someone based on their portfolio. You absolutely deserve your dream images! However, your photographer already has a great plan in mind for you and their own flow. I encourage you to let me guide you during our session; I will pose you and move you accordingly to where the light looks nice. I will give direction on how to interact with your spouse and also tell you think like if tags are sticking out of your clothing or maybe there's a car in the background or sign. This in mind, relax, and don't worry about that pinterest board but instead, let your photographer enjoy their time with you and create authentic, genuine connections based on their own style. I promise you will love the photos and your heart will swoon! 

7: Don't say, "Cheese!"

So, I sort of have a big qualm with "cheese". Not only does it look fake and places the jaw in an unflattering angle, (seriously - say cheese in your head right now, think about your mouth placement) it also takes the authentic nature away from the photos. Since I use a professional DSLR body, I have the ability to take as many images as needed since I don't use film. I often will take 200 or 250 clicks during an outdoor session. I promise you I have everything needed to come up with 25 gorgeous images without saying, 'cheese'. We want the images to look candid, natural, unposed and embrace who you are. While there will be photos in which everyone looks at the camera and is happy, a majority of your photos will be more candid and lifestyle in nature, meaning they're not as posed looking. If you do like the posed look, there's nothing wrong with that and your photographer will have a different set of tips for you. I, however, like the sessions to not be too posed. 

8: Have fun

Don't forget to have fun! Photography sessions don't have to be stressful. Instead, come prepared and ready to play with your kids, run in the sunset, toss them up into the air, kiss your spouse, have tickle fights, and really just have a good time. The more relaxed you are and fun you have, the better the photos will be.

Thanks again for stopping by to read 8 tips about having an awesome outdoor maternity session with your family! 

Sarah Borchgrevink Photography is a Houston Newborn Photographer specializing in gorgeous posed newborn sessions. Her studio is located in Northwest Houston. In addition to breathtaking baby portraiture, Sarah also offers stylish natural light family photography as well as dynamic outdoor maternity sessions for expecting mothers and couples. Sarah joyfully serves the entire Harris and Montgomery county areas including North Houston, Cypress, Tomball, Spring, Jersey Village, The Woodlands, Magnolia, Conroe, Willis, Montgomery, Humble, Kingwood, Porter, New Caney, Waller, Memorial & West Houston, Katy, Fulshear, Sugar Land, Pearland, Hempstead, Richmond, West University, Rice Village and Porter TX. Connect to chat with Sarah today! Please consider booking your session at your earliest convenience in order to secure your appointments on the calendar.