Let's talk family photos! In my personal opinion, every family should have professional photos taken at least once a year! Why? Because kids grow FAST. One minute they're tiny babies, the next they're running around, and before you know it, they're teenagers who have busier schedules than you do! And trust me, those little faces, silly expressions, and personalities change more quickly than we realize. I know planning family photos can feel like just another thing on your already overflowing to-do list. Between coordinating schedules, choosing outfits, getting everyone ready, and convincing the kids (and maybe your significant other!) to cooperate, it can feel like a lot. But it doesn't have to be!
As a Metrowest Massachusetts family photographer, I've put together my top 5 tips for planning a fun, relaxed family photo session that captures your family just as you are.
1. Make Family Photos a Tradition!
I'm a BIG believer in documenting your family's growth over the years. And while I recommend professional family photos at least once a year, I actually love the idea of doing them more frequently when your kids are little! Here's my personal recommendation:
Babies (Birth to 12 Months)
Babies change SO much during their first year! If your schedule and budget allow, I love the idea of taking photos every month or two. Think about all those firsts: first Christmas, first Easter, first Thanksgiving, first smiles, and all those adorable little milestones. Mini sessions are a great way to capture these moments without committing to a full session every time.
Toddlers (Ages 1–3)
Oh, the toddler years! The personalities, the expressions, the independence, and the occasional refusal to look at the camera! I think every 4–6 months is a great way to document this stage. They change so quickly, and each session captures a different little version of them.
School-Age Kids & Teenagers
Once school, sports, activities, and everyone's schedules take over, finding time for family photos gets a little trickier. But I still recommend making it an annual tradition! You don't need a special occasion to update your family photos. Sometimes the best reason is simply that another year has passed.
My Tip: Mini sessions are a wonderful, budget-friendly option for families who want photos throughout the year. I offer seasonal minis, including spring, beach, flower, fall, and holiday-themed sessions, so you can capture different moments and seasons without booking a full session every time.
And remember, these are just suggestions! There's no required schedule for family photos. Choose what works for your family.
2. Book Early & Choose the Right Season
Here's a little secret: The earlier you book, the more options you'll usually have! Photographers have busy seasons, and here in New England, September and October are HUGE for family photos. Everyone wants those beautiful fall colors, cooler temperatures, and photos ready for holiday cards. And suddenly, we're all trying to squeeze family sessions into the same few weekends!
My recommendation is to book at least 6–8 weeks in advance, and even earlier if you want a specific fall weekend or beach session.
Think about what kind of background you love:
Spring: Fresh greenery, flowers, and soft colors.
Summer: Beach sessions, warm evenings, and beautiful golden-hour light.
Fall: Colorful foliage, cozy sweaters, and classic New England scenery.
Winter: Snowy landscapes, cozy layers, and holiday-themed mini sessions.
The time of day matters too! I choose locations based on lighting, open shade, backgrounds, the season, and my schedule. Depending on your package, I may select the location or offer a few options that work best for your session.
My Tip: Don't wait until October to start thinking about October photos! Planning gives us a better chance of finding a date and time that works for everyone. And don't panic if the weather forecast shows rain a week before your session. New England weather changes constantly! I'll keep an eye on the forecast, and we'll make a decision together as we get closer.
3. Coordinate Your Outfits (But Please Don't Match Everyone!)
I know, I know. Choosing outfits for the entire family can feel like a full-time job! But here's the good news: You don't need to buy everyone brand-new clothes or dress the whole family in matching outfits. In fact, I recommend NOT matching! Instead, choose a color palette of 3–4 coordinating colors and build everyone's outfits around it.
For example:
Cream, navy, dusty blue, and tan
Sage green, blush pink, ivory, and denim
Burgundy, oatmeal, navy, and warm beige
Dusty blue, soft gray, cream, and khaki
Mixing solids, subtle patterns, and textures creates a more natural, timeless look.
A few things I recommend:
Avoid large logos, neon colors, and overly busy patterns.
Limit bold patterns to one or two people.
Choose clothes everyone can comfortably move around in.
Consider the season and location when picking colors.
Don't forget shoes! They show up in photos too.
My Tip: Start with YOUR outfit first! Once you have something you love, coordinate the kids and your significant other around it. Kids can be a little more matchy-matchy, but everyone doesn't need to wear the exact same color. And if you're stuck, send me pictures! I'm always happy to help with outfit planning.
4. Prepare the Kids (And Maybe Your Significant Other Too!)
Let's be realistic for a second. Kids are kids! Sometimes they're excited, sometimes they're shy, and sometimes they decide that the exact moment we're taking photos is the perfect time to become completely independent. And that's OK! A little preparation can go a LONG way.
Before Your Session:
Talk it up! Tell your kids we're going to have some fun, play a few games, and take pictures together. Make it sound exciting rather than something they HAVE to do.
Practice a little! Especially with younger kids, it can help to show them what a camera does. Take a few pictures with your phone and make it fun.
Feed everyone! Hungry kids and hungry adults are not a great combination. Make sure everyone has eaten before arriving.
Bring snacks and water! Small, mess-free snacks are perfect for quick breaks. Just avoid anything that might stain those carefully planned outfits!
Plan something fun afterward! I'm all for a little motivation. Ice cream after family photos? Sounds like a great plan to me!
Give yourself extra time! Rushing out the door while trying to get everyone dressed isn't the best way to start your session.
And for the older kids and teenagers? A little heads-up about what to expect helps. They don't need to be thrilled about family photos, but reminding them that we're only asking for a little bit of their time can make a difference.
My Tip: Please don't spend the entire session telling your kids to smile, look at the camera, or behave perfectly. I have plenty of tricks, games, and prompts to get those natural expressions. Sometimes the best photos happen when we stop trying so hard!
5. Have a Vision, But Let Go of Perfection!
Pinterest is wonderful for inspiration! I love when clients share a few photos that show the overall feeling they're hoping for. Maybe you love those classic everyone-looking-at-the-camera portraits. Or maybe you prefer the playful, candid moments where everyone is laughing and interacting. Most families want a little of both! But here's something important to remember: Inspiration is great. Exact duplication isn't always realistic.
Every family is different. Different ages, personalities, locations, lighting, and even weather can change how a photo turns out. And that's what makes your photos unique! During our session, I'll guide you through a mix of traditional portraits and more relaxed moments.
We might:
Get that classic family photo where everyone is looking at the camera.
Have the kids run toward me or play a little game.
Capture some sweet hugs and cuddles.
Take photos of siblings together.
Get individual photos of the kids.
Sneak in a few photos of just the parents!
And yes, there may be a little chaos along the way. That's family life!
My Tip: Don't stress about getting the perfect smile in every single photo. Sometimes the silly faces, unexpected giggles, and sweet little in-between moments become your favorite images. Let the kids be kids, enjoy being together, and trust me to capture the magic.
One Last Thing: Get in the Photos!
Parents, this one's for you!
I hear it all the time: "I just want pictures of the kids."
And I completely understand! But here's my little reminder: Your kids deserve to have photos with YOU in them, too. Years from now, they're not going to care whether your outfit was perfect or if someone had a little hair out of place. They're going to love seeing you together. The hugs, the laughs, the way you held their hands, and the memories of what your family looked like during that chapter of life. So make the time, get everyone together, and get in those pictures!
Ready to Plan Your Next Family Photo Session? Family photos don't have to be stressful, overly posed, or complicated.
My goal is to make the experience relaxed, fun, and easy while capturing the personalities and connections that make your family YOUR family.
At Allison Manzella Photography, I specialize in light and airy, natural family photography throughout MetroWest Massachusetts, including Natick, Framingham, Sudbury, Wellesley, Ashland, Holliston, and surrounding communities. Whether you're looking for a quick seasonal mini session or a full family portrait experience, I'd love to help you capture this chapter!
Photos that feel like you, for every chapter. Ready to get started? Check out my Investment Guide to explore family photo packages and find the session that's right for you!