We took some family pictures the other night. In our normal family picture taking ways, I set up our tripod and we took the pictures ourself. I would love to have a photographer on-hand but it just isn’t feasible for the impromptu time everyone happens to be ready. And for some getting a professional can be expensive, I believe anyone can do this themselves! Or ask a friend to trade with you! I suggest taking family pictures while everyone is all ready dressed up, hair brushed and has eaten. We took our pictures after church, typically the only day everyone is completely ready at the same time. I thought it would be fun to share FIVE tips for taking family pictures and our spring outfits!
Thank you Walmart for sponsoring this post
5 Family Picture Tips
- Coordinate your outfits ahead of time. This doesn’t mean you have to buy all new clothes. But it sometimes is easiest to buy at least one thing new thing for everyone that pulls the look together. I found ALL of our outfits on walmart.com!! Super affordable and also name brands too. I actually do a “design board” for our outfits, I will show below.
- Start with ONE inspiration piece that you then match everything off of. It could be your dress or outfit, that was my inspiration in this case. Or it could be inspired by the location you are taking your photos or the location the photos will be displayed after. I wanted my dress to coordinated with our back deck, as weird as that sounds, hahaha, but that was where I knew I wanted to take our photos!
- Don’t wait for perfect! Candid photos are often the best. Finn was being a typical 3 year old, not wanting to sit still for 2 seconds. About halfway through taking photos, I flipped my camera setting over to “action” and was able to capture Finn and not a blurry blob of Finn!
- Offer rewards and give treats along the way. No matter the age, kids get annoyed with family pictures (I mean, I think ALL of us do). Offer a treat after the photos are all done. Or for us, we have to offer treat breaks along the way. I remember one of my friends who was a photographer that she gave kids a little smartie candy while they were taking the photos. So keep tiny little candies to pass out as you go, a little sugar is worth it!
- Find a close to home location for photos. Don’t waste your time driving an hour to the perfect spot. Because by the time you get there everyone will be a mess and already over it (unless their is more than just photos to take at this destination). I personally love just taking photos outside, against your house or fence, the cleanest, simplest spot. Just remember to take pictures when the sun is going down and not casting shadows or making everything washed out. Also have the sun BEHIND the people. If they are staring at the sun, they will squint and it will wash them out. You can see in our photos below, the sun was setting behind us. This will save you time and you will be close to the resources you might need, brush, food, water, lipstick etc.
My spring floral dress was the starting off point for our family pictures (it sold out!) It was from Walmart! I wore it to church the other day and got so many compliments. It was a color and style I am not used to wearing and have nothing like it. But that’s why I picked it, it felt fresh! I also paired it with THIS $14 distressed denim jacket! I can’t even remember how I found these pieces. But did you know that Walmart has premium name brands? So you can search by a specific brand, HERE on their premium brand page. Or I just searched specifically for women’s floral dresses!
I was in a store and saw on a mannequin dressed in color blocking! And I LOVED the look. I have yet to try it myself. But I tried it on Kevin. I found him THESE Brooks Brothers pink shorts and THIS Brooks Brothers darker pink sweater (which he has been wearing often!) both are from Walmart, I made sure to shop Premium Brands for Kevin, he is a little more particular about his clothes. These both passed the test.
I might be biased but the kids look cute no matter what! The girls LOVE jumpers. So rather than dresses I found these, both from Walmart and under $15. Find Lola’s jumper HERE and Ella’s HERE. Finn’s shirt HERE and his skinny jeans HERE (“like Daddy” he said).
Like I said…candid photos are the best! haha!
PS- If you think our pictures went just perfect, wrong. Half the time of our 30 minutes of taking pictures was Kevin chasing Finn around…..
In the playhouse….then in the tramp (this is why Kevin is so fit 😂)
Clarissa says
This is so cute! I love that you took individual pictures of each child too. And outdoors! By the way, I love your shoes. Happy Easter, God bless you all.
Gemma says
Such a cute happy family.! What else can you ask for?! 😍 Happy Easter x
Christine says
They are so cute! You have a beautiful family!! Love all that all their personalities are shining bright!
Liz Raybould says
This looks so cute and happy. Love all the styling for your beautiful family. Can you share details on your play set? We love it! Is it custom or something you purchased as is? Thank you! Happy Easter.
[email protected] says
Thanks!! We actually got it for our kids last year for easter! I have a blog post on it here-
https://nestingwithgrace.com/new-play-set-in-our-back-yard/
Melissa says
I think they are perfect! They are real and show love. ❤️
Ella says
Beautiful family!! I love homestyle family pics because it feels more real. Love that the kids personalities shine through in the individual pics. Beautiful!
Amy says
Beautiful! I love the styling our your outfits! Would you be willing to share about your deck couches? I didn’t see them in the shop our house link. Thank you!!
[email protected] says
yes!! They are linked here- https://nestingwithgrace.com/shop-our-home/
Paula Berger says
I live all your photos! I especially like the ones of the 3 kids individually it shows their personalities!
Cindy says
Hello, I’m new to your blog, I love your style, family photos, I to lived in CT.born & raised, moved to sunny Florida for retirement
and have to say I do love it we were really getting tired of our winter’s there, but love to go back to see family and friends.
I am just a woman that turned on to blogs just by sheer luck one day and have been hooked ever since.
Your very blessed to have such a beautiful family, your children are so cute, and their smiles light up the screen.Thanks for being such a fun gifted designer that just loves what she does!
The very best to you and your family!
Best regards, Cindy Madore
Jeanne says
Brooke, the pics are GREAT! But what really hit me was your statement about just taking the photos because you never know if/when you’ll all be together again or if you’ll have another chance. That really got me because we have NEVER done family pictures, like, I can’t even remember the last time we all huddled together, me, my husband and our 3 daughters, and had a picture taken. Isn’t that awful?! Well, with Easter on Sunday I think I’m going to fix that and not sweat the small stuff, like we’re not all in focus, etc. At least we’re ALL in the picture. Thanks for the reminder!
Christie says
What a pictureous family( don’t think I spelled that right) , love those babies and enjoy them while you can. You will miss them so much later, as I do mine. Your children seem so happy. And what cuties. And your husband too!!
Becky Cowen says
Such a beautiful family! I have a tripod for my iPhone that also has a remote and love it! It makes impromptu family pictures so easy!