I don’t typically photograph “families”, but the truth is that I’m reconsidering it for 2012. If you’re willing to break a few rules, come join me!
There are a few things I haven’t enjoyed about family photography in the past – whether I’m the photographer or not – and I’m going to just be honest about them here. If you’re ready to book a session with me even after I say it, I’m giving $100 off my session fee from now until April 1st.
Number one is that we Cape Codders are very caught up in the khaki pants and white shirt thing. You know which women look good in khaki pants? Those who are size 4 and under. I’m a size 6, so let me know if you’ve found khaki pants that can prove me wrong. And white is actually at the bottom of any list your photographer would tell you to wear if you asked. I do love the idea of a matching theme, but you might just pick a color and incorporate it into everyone’s outfits – red, navy, I’ve even had a great friend choose an orange theme! Orange stripes on dad, orange bow in daughter’s hair, orange scarf around mom’s neck, orange plaid shorts on son, etc. Or totally mismatch. Some more examples are here on my Pinterest board.
Second, many families want to sit everyone together and take only the requisite shots. Extended family, immediate family, grandparents with the children… last year’s frames or holiday cards just waiting to be updated. And then we’re done. Done? You’re paying me a few hundred dollars for three photos? I want to capture your family, and that means your personalities, your interactions, the bond you have at this very moment in your lives. In order to do that, I recommend an activity that keeps everyone involved. and therefore less intimidated by a camera. In fact, I don’t care if you never look at the camera. I’m ready to hang for a couple of hours because that’s what it takes. Let’s go for a walk, skip rocks, have a picnic, build a snowman, visit the ice cream store, go bowling. What does your Sunday morning look like, when you’re cozy and rested, spending time as a family… because I’ll wear my pajamas too if it helps. I’m not saying I won’t capture a few traditional photos, but I’m hoping that you and I both want more out of it than that.
Lastly, as parents, I need you to be involved. I actually have a few really awkward examples I won’t share, but I think the best solution is that I will ask you to be in the photos as well. No free ride, come dressed and ready to help. I will definitely capture photos of your individual kids, and the kids together, but as anyone who’s ever heard me complain about holiday cards knows, YOU are just as much a part of the family. I want photos of the two of you alone, celebrating all that you’ve created. And I want to capture the way you and your children look at one another. If you’re behind the camera and stressed about the faces they’re making, your kids are stressed out too.
When you look back at these times with your family, shouldn’t it evoke some feeling?
Love the similarities between mother and daughter here…
So, these are just a few of my thoughts, and a few personal reasons for why I’ve shied away from working with families. But I loooove telling stories, and I think your story is worth telling. Maybe it’s selfish of me to put every family into a box and declare that I won’t do it. I know I have something to offer, and that there are some of you out there who feel the same way about your family photography as I do. If that’s you, please do contact me. I’d love to do this together for the next few months and see what we come up with. As I mentioned, any family sessions receive $100 off from now until April 1st, including photos on disk. I don’t know if I’ll offer family sessions after that, but I’d be really excited if you’d join me on the adventure!
A huge thank you to Ozzy and Linda, and their daughter Faith, for frolicking on the beach in Miami this December!
Credit to Film is Not Dead. All images captured on a Canon 1V camera with Kodak Portra 400 film, and a Contax G2 camera with Ilford Delta 100 film.
You totally rocked this family session!!
Stacey..I think this blog is what I like about your photography so much, and what I hate about photography in general. I despise posing for a picture. Apparently so do my children. As a parent I want to remember the quirky faces my 3 year old makes…not his “smile or I’m going to kill you because this photographer is charging us big money and we only get one picture so make it count” face.
If you were closer than 900 miles away, I’d put a deposit down right now.
Love the khaki pants/white top comment—that combo is unfortunately pretty standard here in Charleston as well. Great post, I totally share your sentiments!
Great post Stacey!
I agree – I want pictures that our (especially the little guys) personalities shine through rather than a traditional seated portrait (which will evoke the weird someone-is-taking-my-picture face from my husband).
CANNOT wait for you to photograph my family. we are planning our trip now, so will DEFINITELY touch base with you about dates!
I wish you were closer to do our photos!
I totally agree with you and Randy. I think my problem is that I am just taking pictures and not photographing my kids. I am not able to capture the expressions and feelings in the same way that you and other photographers are able to so a lot of times if they’re not looking I’m aggrivated. Although some of my favorite pictures of my boys (all 3 of them!) are the ones where I’m walking behind them or they’re walking away from me and deep in some father/son conversation. I promise to work with you 100% because I do want to capture the amazing energy that is buzzing in my family today!
I love these photos Stacey! I like your article too – when I was a kid my mom would take us for posed portraits and it was so hard to get my little sister to smile! But if we had family photos like this, you would have definitely captured how cute she was (instead of sullen, or with a strange fake smile…throwing my sister under the bus here lol). I’m sure prospective clients would be happy to know how your shoots work, and you should refer them to this post :)
and PS yes, some photographers totally MAKE you wear matching khaki pants!
and PPS what DO you think would be good to wear to get photographed in? I think that would make a good blog post…
Thanks for sharing Stace. I really believe that the natural colors in a photograph shine brighter when the emotion is natural and captivating. you are an amazing photographer and i can’t wait to see what you capture in your 2012 family sessions!
xo
stacey, these are beautiful and you should do family sessions! you are good. xo
Yaaaaayyyy! I was about a year too early when requesting your amazing talents in the family photography realm & you can bet I’ll be booking for this summer. Now, how to get Rosie back up North…she hasn’t traveled w/us the past few summers. Maybe you could come to NC?! :)
reason 1,453,593 why i love you!
Thanks for all the beautiful support, guys! I hope I’m not making anyone feel like it’s a “test” and you have to do well – the best part is just being yourselves! And yes, family photos and wedding photos are alike in that you should find the photographer you LOVE, no matter the geography. I’d be soooo happy to travel, and can always find unique ways to combine activities to cut down on travel fees. So happy to hear your responses :-)
WELL SAID….and beautifully captured. you really shine in this shoot, truly. xo.
stacey. holy cow. these are… TO.DIE.FOR. I knew! they were film. :) i was going to ask you, but thanks for posting it at the end. you completely rock, and they are so amazing, and different and beautiful. looooove them.
i actually make my clients sign off on a seperate form that they understand that i do not shoot family “portraits” – they’re lifestyle sessions. don’t get me wrong, the requisite christmas card group shot is always in there, but i also don’t promise it. good for you for not being a conformist. :D
You said it, Stacey! If your clients bring their creativity and energy to the session then you’ll be even more inspired to take gorgeous photos! You’re such a talent, Stacey – keep it up!!! This family session above makes me want to start a family asap just so I can hire you:)
This session was beautifully captured by an extremely talented photographer! It took my breath away! Great job, Stacey. I love your blog, too. Will you come back to Alberta again this summer and photograph the Williams family? I promise we won’t wear khaki pants and white shirts. Hugs, DL
Breathtaking work Stacey! Love! I tried to “Like” it on FB, but for some reason it didn’t pop up. So I thought I’d tell you hear. I adore looking at your film work!