Family of five wearing neutral tones poses together against white backdrop in casual studio portrait.

Top tips to photograph a family of 6!

Photographing large families, especially with young children, can be both rewarding and challenging. Here are five tips to help capture the best moments:

Plan and Prepare Ahead of Time

  • Scout the location: If you're shooting outside or at a large venue, check the lighting, background, and space beforehand.
  • Prepare the family: Give them a heads-up on what to expect, such as outfits, timing, and how long the shoot will take. This helps reduce stress and make everyone more comfortable. Be sure everyone arrives dressed and ready to go (OR arrive early to change) since dressing 4 kids can be an event in itself!

Use a Wide-Angle Lens

  • With a large family, a wide-angle lens (e.g., 28-70mm) will allow you to capture everyone in the frame without distortion. It’s especially helpful when you have children who might be more active and moving around. I absolutely love my prime lenses but when you have so much to capture my Canon RF 28-70 has been incredible at capturing a variety of images.

Keep Children Engaged and Happy

  • Children, especially young ones, might not want to sit still. Keep their attention by playing games or giving them props (like a favorite toy or bubble machine). Sometimes, candid moments like them laughing or interacting naturally yield the best photos. Have kids tell you their favorite number, run circles around mom and dad, tell mom a secret, roar like a lion, whatever feels right!

Capture a Mix of Posed and Candid Shots

  • While posed shots are important for formal family portraits, candid moments can tell a more genuine story. Have fun with playful or silly prompts to capture real expressions. For example, you can ask the kids to make a funny face or have them hug each other. Here we took snack and feeding breaks, introduced the "FOMO" element by doing photos of just mom & dad, then mom & dad and the little kids.

Work With Group Dynamics

  • For large families, break them into smaller groups if needed, like siblings or parents with kids, then combine them into the full family shot. This makes it easier to direct everyone without feeling overwhelmed. Always be mindful of the younger children’s comfort level and try to make them feel at ease during the session.

By combining these tips, you’ll be able to create beautiful family portraits while keeping everyone happy and relaxed!

Two children in earth-toned clothing sitting together affectionately on white stairs with decorative pottery nearby.
A loving family in coordinated neutral outfits poses together by a window with a houseplant in a bright, minimal setting.
A tender moment captured in a bright white studio setting with pampas grass decor and neutral earth-tone clothing.
Family sitting together wearing coordinated casual outfits in white studio setting with curtains.
Intimate moment between mother and nursing baby on white bedding with green plant in background.
Family in coordinated neutral outfits sits together on white platform with pampas grass decor for studio portrait.
Family wearing coordinated brown and neutral tones poses playfully together against white wall in bright room.
Four children in casual earth-toned outfits sitting together and smiling on a white background.
Four young children in coordinated earth-tone outfits sitting together against a white backdrop.
A romantic couple shares an intimate moment in a bright white studio space with flowing curtains and natural light.
An intimate embrace captured in a bright white studio setting with soft natural lighting.
A tender embrace between a woman wearing a lace dress and a small child in tan pants on a light background.
Family portrait in bright white studio with children playing around parents in casual earth-tone clothing.