There are many ways to skin a cat when shooting families. The easiest way? Let them be themselves, listen to what they desire for their session, give only the necessary prompts, let go….and shoot! That said, if the family does not want any posing or “editorial” guidance for their session, then DON’T impose that on them, no matter your own style as a photographer. When I DO pose my clients, I tend to do the posing at the beginning of a session when everyone is fresh to the process. Or, if the children are small and need to warm up, we play and have fun, a relaxing way to ease into my big and often scary camera.
The J + D family preferred not to pose for the most part. They weren’t really into props like some families enjoy. Therefore I let them lead and I followed, barely interjecting during their session accept to encourage or to have fun with them. Also, the kids are older than those of most families I shoot. They were a little uncomfortable at first, not sure what they were supposed to do with each other, so I started with a few prompts here and there to hug or “get cozy with each other –or– pretend you like each other” and then I stepped out of the way. In the end, even though this session is not as creatively staged and edited as some of my sessions, I achieved capturing “THEM” and who they are, a Malibu blended family on a Malibu beach! Surfrider Beach to be exact and the Malibu Pier as a backdrop. It was a perfect day for shooting in SoCal in the winter, 85 and sunny. Thank you J + D Family! You were really fun and easy to work with.
