A few years ago I started going through my own family photos. I noticed someone was always missing: the person taking the picture. I realized how important a family photo is. And not just any family photo. A photo with everyone in it, and in which everyone loves how they look.
Since I am a photographer I looked into this. There are many types of family photos out there. Just take a look on Pinterest and you will see studio shots (with shots that are carefully planned, as well as candid shots). There also might be shoots in a forest or a field, at the beach or a family's favorite vacation spot, to name just a few potential locations.
And even with all of the above, one still isn't taking into account the why behind a shot. Why the client wants them and what exactly they are trying to capture about their family are so important to capturing the right shot.
Upon becoming aware of all of these factors (phew!), I set out to help families get the shots that they want.
I've photographed many different families, from those just starting out, to those that seem like they get larger with every passing day.
Below are three sets of examples of shoots I've recently done.
The first is a pregnancy shoot I did recently with Arriana and Evan. Working with them was a beautiful experience. They definitely fall into the ideal client category. They had their vision. We worked together and achieved it. I'll be photographing their little one too (the waiting is almost too much).
The Reeder family are a bunch of charmers. And I'm not sure but the kiddos might be too smart for their own good (kidding, no such thing). This family is a bundle of energy, and it's really something to see.
The Tourjes are a big, bad, in-love-with-eachother sort of family. Dave and Linda have been married for thirty years, and although they don't look it, are grandparents four times over. If you know them, you know they're the cool family that only gets more so as time goes on. Dave wanted something special. Although there are family shots below, this is actually event photography. This was the night celebrating Dave and Linda's 30th wedding anniversary. Dave wanted his family captured together with their natural form of interaction together. Capture a family as they really are together on a super, super special occasion? Count me in!
I'm so happy that I've lately been invited into the little world these families inhabit together.
Whether it is a family just beginning on their path together, or one that is growing with every passing day, the common denominator: they all love each other very much, and it shows.
Thank you for taking the time to look over these shots. And next time you're doing a shoot as a family, take a little advice from the Tourje clan: have more fun than you thought possible.
Best,
Jamie
P.S. I'd love to have you as a friend on my mailing list. Quite a few of the people above are on it. You'll be in good company!
