Weddings are the perfect place to snag a few professional shots of the whole family— but let’s face it. Taking family portraits can be complicated and at times, downright challenging. Fortunately, we gotcha covered. A touch of prior planning never hurt anyone. Take a look at these Family Wedding Photos Dos and Don’ts to make sure your family portrait session churns out stunning photos to be treasured for years to come.
Family Wedding Photos Pro Tips:
DO: Explain Dynamics to your wedding photographer
Aunt Minnie can’t stand cousin Charles? It happens. Every family has its issues, and trust us when we say the family portrait session is not the time or place for those problems to rear their ugly heads. Make sure to let your wedding photographers in on your family’s unique dynamics before the big day. Think of your family like pieces on a chessboard. Your photographers know which pieces need to move to win the game. They’re experts at avoiding conflict and making sure everyone gets along. Keep them in the know so that the only drama will be in your gorgeous wedding photos.
DON’T: Don’t forget to Include Friends who are Family
When it comes to “family portraits”— you get to decide who your family is. If you have a best friend who feels like family and you want them in your photos, then they should absolutely be there. Don’t let made-up rules about blood being thicker than water decide who you incorporate into your portraits. And that goes both ways. If you don’t want to include someone in your family photos … don’t. Even if they’re technically family. Remember, you’re the one in control.
Must-Have Family Wedding Photos
DO: Come with Suggestions
If you have specific poses in mind for your family portraits, be sure to communicate them with your Jacksonville wedding photographer. Also, have an idea of who exactly you want in which pictures. Your wedding photographer will make sure you get the general shots, beyond that, it helps to provide a list.
DON’T: Be Afraid to Go Big
Okay, so maybe you have an idea of what family wedding photos are “supposed” to look like— but here’s the thing. This is YOUR day. And it’s YOUR family. Don’t be afraid to strike a unique pose or two. Be silly, have fun! Make the kind of photos you know you’ll want to look back on ten years down the line. Odds are, if you have a good time making the memories … you’ll have a good time looking back on them, too.
What to wear in Family Wedding Photos
DO: Dress to Mesh
We get it, you don’t want to be too matchy-matchy. That’s totally fair. But when you’re planning for family photos, you definitely want to make sure everyone’s outfits make for a cohesive photo. In other words, try to avoid colors that clash and loud patterns that don’t photograph well. The focus should be on the couple of the day, after all.
DON’T: Be too Formal
We know they’re family portraits, but that doesn’t mean they need to look posed! Don’t be afraid to play around with your relatives. Talk, laugh, have a good time. These intimate interactions give your wedding photographers the opportunity to capture the genuine, emotional moments you’ll want to remember.
