Let’s look at family photography tips just for dad! I will be honest, in preparing for your session, I am partnering with mom to help her plan and feel more at ease with their family photography session. However, a big component of just how well a newborn session will go depends on dad.

Let’s face it, having family pictures done is probably brings a cringe look from your husband. He is probably thinking about the emotional roller coaster of helping you get the house picture perfect, having to wear clothes that are uncomfortable, and being forced to pose and smile for a whole hour!

A Relaxed Family Session

Your family photo session doesn’t have to be this way. For one reason, I do not expect a perfect house or perfect children for your session. Through planning your session, we chat extensively about what everyone wants to wear. I have lots of wardrobe suggestions for dad, and stuffy, uncomfortable clothes is not on the list. Finally, staying still for extended amounts of time during your photography session will not happen. Everyone is moving around and engaging with each other, not the camera.

With that being said, here are my biggest tips for dads for your family photography session.

#1 Do not look at the camera. I mean it! Look at your wife and smile and talk to your children. I only want you to look at the camera if I tell you.

#2 Play! I love to capture movement in my family photography. This looks like crawling on the floor with your children, kissing your baby, rocking your child in your arms, reaching your arms around your wife. Please, do not stand still!

#3 Bend your elbows. Trust me! If you do not know what to do with your hands, reach over and place it on your child, lean on your knees, stand close to your wife and side hug, bring your baby up to your face. When you stand with your arms to the side, well, it just looks unnatural.

#4 Yes, your family photography session will last about an hour, but you will not be in every picture. Relax, there is no pressure for you to be ‘on’ the entirety of your 60 minute session. Even dad gets a drink and snack break.

#5 Just smile. If your kids are hanging from the ceiling, screaming their heads off…just smile. Of course that is an exaggeration, but no matter how chaotic your child gets, trust me, everything will be great. Just smile. 

I hope these ideas help you prepare your husband for your upcoming family photography session. Whether we are documenting your newborn, capturing your toddler, or wrangling your older children, dad has an important, but easy role in creating a great family photo experience.