A great family photographer can give you amazing, genuine photos of your family that will last the rest of your life – and beyond.

Or a family photoshoot can be an expensive, awkward experience that will have you running away from the next camera you see.

Here’s what you need to know to make sure you get the best family photos for you.

Good question. After all, you probably have thousands of photos of your kids saved on your phone.

But how many of those photos are missing someone important – the person who’s taking it? And how often is that someone you?

Even if you’ve mastered the family selfie, be honest – how many look exactly the same? Same tilted angle? Same cheesy grins? And the person taking the photo ALWAYS has a bigger head than everyone else?

By hiring a family photographer, you don’t have to think about any of this.

Just kick back, relax and get photos that you will treasure forever and are good enough to hang on the wall.

It depends what type of photos you want.

There are basically two styles – portrait and documentary.

Portrait photoshoots normally take place in a studio, with flashes and a backdrop, and the photographer will give you tips on where to stand, what to do and where to look. Sessions can be formulaic and the photos more formal. 

Documentary photo sessions – also known as lifestyle shoots – are much less traditional and have become increasingly popular in recent years. Typically, you and your family have fun together at home, at the park or on a day out and the photographer captures everything as it happens. (Even documentary photographers will be happy to get some ‘look at the camera and smile’ shots as well if that’s what you want)

These sessions are less predictable and your hair might not be perfect, but they’re often more enjoyable and you’re more likely to get photos that show all the personalities in your family.

I’m a big believer in capturing life as it really happens – not some Instagram version of it – so that’s why I shoot in a documentary style.

If you’re not sure which type of photography to choose, my advice is to ask yourself: which of my photos make me happy when I look at them?

Anything from 15 minutes to a full day – with plenty of options in between.

Studio sessions tend to be shorter because everything is set up and the photographer will know what shots they want. A mini shoot can be over in the blink of an eye, or a shoot with several family members might take more than an hour.

Documentary photographers like to spend longer with families – it could be two hours, a half day or even a full ‘Day in the Life’ session. This helps them capture more genuine photos and show everyone’s personalities – think of it as storytelling with pictures.

Most photographers will offer bespoke sessions. For example, at a recent shoot with a large extended family, I spent an extra hour with them to make sure we got plenty of photos of everyone together.

Family life doesn’t always go to plan – as a parent, I know that only too well.

If the little ones aren’t having their best day at a photoshoot, it can be stressful – especially at a portrait session when it’s all about getting the ‘perfect’ picture.

You wouldn’t be the first parent to feel like that, and you won’t be the last. In fact, hardly any photoshoots are plain sailing and, even if a meltdown seems to go on forever, there will usually be plenty of time to get the photos minus the tears.

Whatever happens, that’s life. It’s why being a parent is tough sometimes – and why it’s so rewarding, so memorable and (go on, admit it) so much fun when you look back.

The beauty of documentary photography is you’ll spend way less time worrying about that ‘perfect’ shot. In fact, you’ll probably be in the moment so much you won’t even be thinking about what the photos look like.

Life isn’t perfect – embrace it.

In the words of a dad from a recent family photoshoot when one of his sons spent most of it bawling his eyes out: “I can really see how my children have developed unique and beautiful personalities. Even the tearful tantrums look fantastic in the pictures. It makes me feel very lucky to have such spirited children.”

Anything from £50 for a mini session to an eye-watering £10,000 for a high-end studio session with lots of printed products.

There are generally two ways it works.

Some photographers charge one price, which includes the cost of the session and the digital photos you purchase. You normally pay this in advance.

Others, like me, charge a session fee, then send you a gallery with all the photos. You then choose which photo package you’d like – typically a limited number of photos or all of them.

Most family photographers offer packages that include prints, frame pictures and luxury albums, and in most cases you can order extras for a fee.

I don’t like being put under pressure to buy anything, which is why you’ll never get an Apprentice-style hard sell from me. You’re free to decide which package you want in the comfort of your own home.

In case you’re wondering, my session fee starts at £75 and my photo package from £350.

How many photos will you get?

The shortest studio shoot might give you about 20 photos, while a longer documentary session could mean 100-200. As for a ‘Day in the Life’ shoot, you’ll get so many photos you’ll be able to cover the living room walls.

If family photography seems more expensive than you imagined, think about all the things you’ve bought that cost more than that – and ask yourself how many of those you’ll still be using (or even own) in years and decades to come…

You’ve probably figured it out by now, but I love documentary family photography because real life is ALWAYS better than posing.

I specialise in joyful, honest photography for families who value personality over perfection.

My families are chilled-out, down-to-earth people who dread the idea of pulling cheesy smiles in front of a boring beige background.

I want to create genuine, meaningful images of your family – being yourselves, having fun and enjoying this special time in your life that will be gone before you know it.

Interested in award-winning family photography that shows you as you really are? Download my brochure to find out more.