Christmas Fireplace50 Versatile Family Photo Poses for Families of All Sizes
Family photos are ever-asked for as they’re the perfect pictures that enfold a moment for a lifetime - parents will love to look back to how they looked like and how their little kids used to be before growing up, besides being a great way to express their personality and character as a family fully.
So, as a professional photographer, if you don’t have a family photo gig yet, you will for sure have one sooner or later, and it’s key that you are well prepared for this kind of scenario and from the wide difference of families you can encounter as clients.
Whether your models happen to be a small family of 2, 3 or a larger one of 4, 5 or a huge family of 6, 7 or more…. We’ve got you covered, as we will share tips and poses for all types and sizes!
Without any further ado, let’s get into 50 pose ideas for your family photoshoot!
Family Photo Poses for 2
Families aren’t only large groups of people, they can also be small units who love each other and decide not to have kids, are in the process of getting their first child, or moving in together. So if this is the case, here are some pose inspirations for your little family photoshoot.
1. The pet lovers
A couple with their pet is the best way to turn a couple’s picture into a small family shot! Have them lovingly sit outdoors while holding their fur child in their arms.
2. The authentic babes
A capture of the simple family instants - two lovers in their spontaneous moments, one where they eat, they laugh, they simply be together. Make sure to have them feel comfortable and at ease for this shot and take several captures.
3. The cheesy
Every big family begins with a simple kiss. A cheesy idea involves one where two lovers get close to each other for a kiss. Using depth of field in this picture will effortlessly enhance its quality.
Image from Pexels
4. One with the house keys
Another symbolic family pose idea is one in front of a new house, as a sign of moving in together and starting something new.
5. Family’s growing
What’s a better way to capture a family of two when it clearly shows that they’re about to grow into a family of three? If your model happens to be pregnant then it’s a great moment to have a sweet family shoot of the two lovers holding each other, while the baby bump gets enhanced right in the middle - make sure you have your models dressed in white or in plain colors that allow them to be highlighted.
6. Family’s growing but different variation
For the same kind of family, who’s about to grow bigger, you can shoot a different variation, especially if the mother hasn’t got a big baby bump that will show up in the picture. You can have them pose facing the camera while holding onto the ultrasound picture of their yet-to-be-born baby - make sure to put your focus on it.
Image from Pexels
7. Daddy’s girl/boy
Another photoshoot idea for a family of 2 involves one of the dads with his child. Whether he happens to be a single dad, or just wants some picture as a reminder of his bond, it will end up being a really special shot. Have them play together and feel spontaneous as they showcase their innate connection to the camera.
Image from Pexels
8. Mom’s bond
A mom’s bond will always be a unique and irreplaceable one, so a great family pose idea is to save a shot for the mom and her baby - especially if breastfeeding!
Image from Pexels
Family Photo Poses for 3
Now let’s get into small families of three! This number is still small enough to enable some cute family pictures to come out well, as a larger number could be a bit more complicated (we’ll get into it later on in the article).
9. Let’s take a selfie
A family of three is the perfect size for a selfie picture, so a sweet idea is to have your models spontaneously pose and take a selfie of them, while you capture the scene from afar - remember that for this picture the perfect background or backdrop selection is key for a better result.
Image from Pexels
10. Cozy cuties
The bed has enough space for a family of three - so take advantage of it and have your models pose in a snuggly outfit to express coziness and homely vibes.
11. Portrait from the top
The same location can be used, but you can change the angle! Have the family lie in bed while you shoot from the top!
Image from Pexels
12. The future walk
A family of three still has a lot to look towards, whether it’s a family that might want to expand and grow bigger, or aims to create lots of memories together as they are, a symbolic pose can be one where the three walk towards their future while you shoot them from the back - make sure to be outdoors or choose a nature backdrop for this shot!
13. Guitar play
A fun and creative pose idea for a family of three involves one where the parents hold onto their child pretending she/he is a guitar, it will automatically make the child laugh too.
Image from Pexels
14. Planting a seed
Another symbolic idea is to have the father hold onto the baby while stretching him/her towards a tree, while the mom stares, smiling. This will be fun for the kid and most probably have him/her smiling, while also symbolizing the plantation of a seed - either as a metaphor for more kids to come or as a stroke of good luck for the one pictured.
15. The close-up smooch
A family of three is perfect for a little smooch pose! Have a close-up capture of the parents kissing one cheek each of their child, while he/she faces the camera!
16. The little smooch
If the child is still a little baby, the same variation can be taken with a beautiful background scenery by putting the newborn in a basket and holding onto it while kissing his/her cheeks.
Image from Pexels
17. Fly baby fly
Another fun pose that will surely have the kid smiling involves one where the parents get to hold his/her hands and make him/her fly. The background and lighting of this picture are key.
Image from Istockphoto
18. The admirers
I’m sure your parent's models are the biggest fans of their child, so let them be spontaneous while showcasing their love and admiration. Have the three of them feel comfortable while you safely take several shots of their authentic moments of joy.
19. Yoga team
Another creative idea for a family of three involves one where they all get to strike some yoga poses. Whether they happen to know something about yoga or they just want to do it for fun, it will end up turning out artistic and fun to look at.
Image from Pexels
20. Mom, dad… I want to hug you!
If the child is old enough, maybe 4 years old or more, you can suggest he/she embraces the parents in a tight hug, while the mom and dad look towards him/her.
Family Photo Poses for 4
What if you are photo-shooting a family of four instead? Let’s get into it!
21. One each
Four is an even number which makes it easier when wanting the picture to have some symmetry, which always attracts the human eye. For this pose idea have the parents hold one kid each in their arms, while standing in front, or looking at, a beautiful scenery or a nature backdrop.
Image from Pexels
22. Piggyback
The same pose variation can be taken with a piggyback pose to make it a little more fun and engaging.
Image from Istockphoto
23. The train
Another idea is to advise them to resemble a human train, even better if the two kids act like the first and last wagon. A clear, unicolored background or plain backdrop would be best for this pose.
Image from Pexels
24. The family holiday
Taking some pictures while the family is adventuring together is a great way to capture a bond and a connecting moment - whether you want to shoot them on a sailboat, a kayak, or on bicycles it’s up to you and your client’s preferences!
Image from Pexels
25. The couple’s dance
Four is the perfect number to divide into couples and do a sweet dance. Suggest the mom and dad pair while the siblings pair - or one child with mom and one with dad - then have them dance, either playfully or with the sound of a song they like. Proceed with shooting the scene from a slight distance to make sure they feel comfortable and get in the mood, as well as leaving enough space in the frame for them to be extravagant with their moves.
Image from Pexels
26. Cuddle puddle
A cuddle puddle can always be a good pose idea when wanting to take some family pictures and a family of four is perfect for it, as three might be too little, and more than four might end up looking too confusing.
27. The spontaneous
For this pose idea, have the parents sit comfortably with one child on each lap. Then suggest they talk, crack a joke, and try to laugh so you can capture them in a funny, simple yet authentic moment of connection.
Image from Pexels
28. Theme buddies
You can never go wrong with a themed photoshoot, as they usually bring out the unique character of your models! Suggest your clients choose a theme and dress up for it - you can get an even better result by selecting some themed backdrops that will effortlessly enhance the whole vibe.
29. All united
A simple, yet sweet, idea is to have the parents stand with their two children beside them, while they all hold hands and walk towards the camera. An additional tip is to have them all wear the same color so as to have more homogeneity and harmony in the shot.
30. It’s in the simple moments
Capturing your family models in their daily habits might be the best photo they’d want to look back to throughout their lives. So suggest they cook together, have a bite of food, or engage in an activity while you shoot them discreetly.
Image from Pexels
31. Family unit
A sweet pose idea for a family of four involves one where they all get to stand really closely, almost hugging one another, so to showcase the image of a bonded family unit.
32. Family’s silhouette
For a creative outcome have the mom and dad pose in front of the light, or at sunrise, with one baby each in their arms so that their silhouette will artistically showcase. Good lighting is key for this shot.
33. The double kiss
If the kids are not too old, another great idea for a family of four consists of getting the parents to hold one child each on their shoulders - then advise the parents to kiss each other while the siblings do the same, maybe the older one can kiss the forehead of the younger one.
Image from Pexels
Family Photo Poses for 5 or 6
If your photography gig includes a larger family unit - one of 5 or 6 - then let’s get into some creative ideas!
34. The whole squad
A simple pose idea includes one where the family holds hands while either facing the camera or facing backward. Remember to keep some distance when shooting this so everyone fits in the frame and has enough space to fully be themselves.
35. The playful
A family of 5 or 6 is large enough to have some fun playing games. Suggest a game or have them pick one and get them to all enjoy it while you capture the authentic moments!
36. Couch snuggles
For a family of five or six, a bed might be too small for snuggles but a couch might be the perfect alternative! Have them all squeeze - best if the mom and dad sit at the edges - and smile at the camera!
Image from Pexels
37. The picnic
Another great setting for this large family number is a picnic, which will be big enough to fit everyone while adding a touch of nature and creativity. If you don’t have the chance to create a picnic vibe, you can always re-create it in a studio by choosing a natural backdrop and adding some picnic props.
38. Team fam
If the family of 5 or 6 includes two or more kids you can proceed with shooting a portrait family pic and asking the parents to hold the kids in the arms or on the back, so to compact the space and better frame the shot.
Image from Istockphoto
39. The circle
Another creative idea that will get all the family members to effortlessly fit in the frame includes one where they’re all lying down in a cozy circle - proceed with shooting this from the top.
Image from Istockphoto
40. To the sky
For an opposite result, you can capture one from the bottom up, while you lie or sit on the ground and the family poses, looking and standing facing the camera. This position will enable you to add some depth to the space.
41. The fairies
Having them all lie down in the grass while holding onto their chins can be another cute idea for a larger family of five or six. Make sure you choose a good time of the day - late morning or golden hour - to have great natural light.
42. The walk
A spontaneous pose can always be recreated while walking. For this shot choose a natural setting - beach, mountain, river - and have the family walk away from or towards the camera. Capture this shot from a distance.
Even Large Family Photo Poses
If you happen to capture an even larger family photoshoot, maybe a family of 7 or more… don’t worry! We’ve got you covered for that too.
Let’s check some ideas and tips out!
43. 1, 2, 3… Cheese!
A creative shot can be captured while one of the family members (or an assistant, if you happen to work with one) takes a phone shot of the family while sitting around the table - to make sure everyone gets in the frame. You can proceed to capture the photo being taken, with a focus on the phone’s camera and the family in the background slightly unfocused.
Image from Pexels
44. The cool guys
If the large family you need to shoot doesn’t include only a family unit but different units of the same family, you can shoot the various components as they pose together.
Image from Pexels
45. The Authentic
Big families are messy, loud, and sometimes chaotic - this can be intense when wanting to photoshoot them, but actually, it’s what makes a family as beautiful and unique as it is! So, to make them look authentic while making your job easier at the same time, suggest they engage in a daily activity such as cooking or preparing an event table and proceed with capturing them in their daily habits.
Image from Pexels
46. Smileee!
Getting a portrait of a big family can be challenging as they might not fit in the frame unless you know how to properly have them stand so that no one gets left out! Position them in layers, the shorter ones in the front while the tall ones get to stand in the back and maybe slightly stand on a chair or stool.
Image from Pexels
47. The family hug
Family hugs are best when it’s a big family that gets to hug one another! Have them all get together in an embrace while leaving some slight space in the front to be able to focus on some of their expressions.
48. The sports team
A fun and artistic photo idea that can be created with a large family group is one where they get to dress up with their favorite sports t-shirts and act as if they’re on a sports team! You can facilitate the setting by making them stand in front of a sports backdrop.
49. The beach fam
Natural settings would be ideal for large family groups! Having them pose in front of the ocean would make everything easier for you and effortlessly beautiful too. A bonus tip is to suggest they all wear the same color tone to make the picture look more harmonious.
50. Vintage family
A super original large family photo idea is one where your models get to dress up all old school and act to recreate a vintage family picture! The most important part of this will be the post-production as you must edit your final selected shots in black and white with some 35mm film additions.
What Are the Best Themed Studio Backdrops for Creative Family Photo Poses?
Backdrops are a photographer’s best friend. This is because they truly help make a photoshoot easier by effortlessly enhancing quality, personality, and style.
Especially when needing to photoshoot a family - where most of the time kids are involved - backdrops can be a game changer, as there won’t be any need to go outdoors, find the perfect location, or be on the lookout for where the kids might run to!
So, it is truly recommended to implement the use of backdrops when shooting a family gig, and here are the best-themed backdrops that we recommend for creative family photo poses:
1. Boho Backdrops
Boho backdrops make everything look efficiently stylish and elegant! This is the perfect setting for families who aim to give a wild and free-spirited vibe. A bonus tip is to add some props and elements such as flowers and feathers that the kid(s) can be holding onto or playing with!
2. Retro Wall Backdrops
Does your family aim to showcase more of a classy, vintage vibe through the shoot? Then the retro wall backdrops will be exactly what they need to enhance their photoshoot. Make sure they all wear complementary and unicolored outfits so that there won’t be too much visual noise - especially if it’s a larger family of four or more members.
3. Fall Backdrops
Can you imagine anything cuter than a fall setting for a delightful family photoshoot? This is for the sweet, but original family type who wants to stand out while still feeling cozy! Whether it’s fall or not, this backdrop will help you out! Suggest your family models wear fall colors such as orange, brown, yellow, and red so the outcome will feel more harmonious.
4. Kitchen Backdrops
A kitchen family photoshoot is the most spontaneous and authentic one, capturing the real-life moments of family bonding. If you don’t have the chance to photoshoot in a real kitchen, or you prefer not to because of the little kids, then this backdrop is the perfect alternative to re-create sweet moments of family connections.
5. Christmas Backdrops
Let’s be honest… Christmas is the coziest family moment! Some families, though, might live in warmer places or not have the possibility to have the film-like white Christmas setting filled with pine trees, fairy lights, and white snowy streets. If this is the case, Christmas backdrops will be the solution as they will create the magical setting that every kid, and family, will want to live in and have forever captured!
It’s our wish and desire that these words leave you inspired and motivated to shoot your next family gig!
Don’t forget to make your models feel at ease, comfortable, and connected during their shooting, so they will smoothly show it to the camera too, and have a sweet memory forever captured.
