10 Creative Family Photo Ideas For Genuine Smiles | Salem, Oregon
As a Family Portrait and Lifestyle Photographer here in Salem, Oregon, I am well versed in how to get genuine smiles from not only kiddos and baby’s but adults too! We all need a little help getting those real smiles out of us. Telling your kid to “Smile at the Camera!” never results in the images you want. The best way is to create a fun environment where your clients and your kids even forget they are having their picture taken. I always do some classic posed family images, but the majority of my sessions are lifestyle images of families playing, laughing, giving hugs and snuggles. I try to make it as enjoyable as possible for everyone.
Here is a list of some of my favorite things to do at a Family Photoshoot that will help you get real and genuine smiles!
Playful Tickles and Laughter - Sneak Attack!
One of my absolute favorite way to get genuine smiles at my Family Photography Sessions is I have kid(s) stand near me, and then have a parent sneak up behind them and either give hugs, or tickles. (And I do not allow the kids to look back to see where the parents are!) This adds to the surprise element and always give the BEST smiles without fail. Often this becomes a favorite part of the session, and kids ask to do it over and over. Their laughter is contagious and always creates beautifully joyful images without fail.
For this images, I had Mom sneak up behind her daughter and give her hugs! This resulted in the best smiles from both of them! This image was done at Minto Brown Park here in Salem, Oregon at golden hour.
2. Walking Hand-in-Hand
A simple walk while holding hands can creates a candid and relaxed vibe, especially because this can be done with your zoom lens! Whether it’s through a forest trail or fields at the golden hour, or along the Willamette River at Minto Park, this pose showcases family togetherness naturally. Have the family walk away from you in a line holding hands, then turn around and walk toward you. I always tell them not to look at me, but look at each other and keep smiles on their faces! If they need more warming up, I say walk with BIG steps as SILLY as you can, and this really adds to the laughter and smiles.
Tip: This pose also works great for Maternity Photo Shoots!
I had this Family of four hold hands during their photoshoot and walk towards me for some beautiful genuine smiles. I let big sister lead and pull them along behind her.
3. Snuggle on a Blanket
At every outdoor family session I do, I always have everyone pile on a blanket for some sweet snuggle images. Lay out a cozy blanket in a beautiful spot and have the family snuggle close. Typically I get mom situated first then have everyone squeeze in and snuggle around her. Kid can lean up against her, lay in her lap, , kneel behind her, whatever they like. I always keep a stash of blankets in my vehicle, and pick one when I see what colors my clients are wearing. This is usually a client favorite image, and adds so much emotion to their gallery! I do this image a lot at Bush’s Pasture Park or Minto Brown Park here in Salem.
This sitting down family photo is one of my favorites. The sweetness and connection between all of them was palpable. This family was just the sweetest and were actually winners of a giveaway I held! And can you believe it, the mom MADE all of their dresses!
4. Piggyback Rides for Fun
Piggybacks or even shoulder rides are a great way to get playful smiles from both kids and parents! You can have kids on parents backs, or if there are two older kids, I often have them do it to each other, and it ALWAYS gets the best smiles between them. It’s something they love doing, and probably already do at home, so it’s a great idea for some really sweet images. This also helps get a sibling warmed up if they are feeling shy or just need extra time.
For this sweet sister photo, I asked them to do piggyback rides and it resulted in some of the most darling images ever!
5. Whisper Something Sweet or Funny
If there’s a child extra clingy to a parent, I love to ask parents to kneel next to them and whisper something funny or sweet in their ear. If mom says something like “I love you sooooo much,” it often ends in just precious hugs and connection between her and her child. I’ve even had some moments where this brought happy tears from both the child and the mom. If mom whispers something funny, giggles are immediate and will give you the most darling images. This technique not only breaks the ice for shy little ones but also creates an atmosphere of comfort and trust, making it easier to capture those genuine smiles. These moments are often among the most treasured by families, as they capture a raw, emotional connection that shines through in every photo.
For this image, I had mom tell her daughter something she loved about her in her ear, and it brought an instant unprompted hug. The sweetest moment that this mom will have forever.
6. Have Kids Run Around Parents
What kid doesn’t love to run? This photo idea is a fantastic one to do at the end of the family photo session when kids are wild, and just want to run and play. I have the parents hug and put their foreheads together while I let the kids run crazy around them. I give them some direction and ask them to run on opposite sides of each other, and try to run at the same speed. I also ask them to stay close to mom and dad. When I get the image I need, I yell at them to run and attack mom and dad with hugs, and that gives you another great opportunity for beautiful images.
For this image, I had mom and dad hug and let the girls walk slowly around their parents. It resulted in the sweetest picture, where mom and dad’s relationship is highlighted too! This family was photographed here in Salem, Oregon.
7. Kids Run Towards Parents
For this family photo pose, I ask kids to come stand right in front of me, then I ask parents to hold their arms open as I ask the kids to run to them! It couldn’t be sweeter of a moment. You also get beautiful smiles when they reach their parents. Be sure to mention to the kids not to knock them over, lol. (Speaking from Experience) Another tip! I often do this both ways! First, I have the kids running towards their parents, capturing their joy and excitement as they leap into open arms. Then, I stand behind the parents and capture the kids’ faces full of pure happiness as they run towards their favorite people. These dual perspectives allow for a variety of heartfelt moments, from the parents’ loving expressions to the kids’ unfiltered joy. It’s a perfect way to highlight the warmth and energy of family connections.
For this image I had the kids run towards mom and dad, and I captured the joy on the parent’s faces seeing their girls run towards them. This image was taken at Willamette Mission State Park.
For this image, I shot above parents shoulders, and captured their son’s face while he ran to mom and dad! Same idea as above, just another angle.
And then he got to his parents and it resulted in one of my favorite images! What a sweet memory for him and them!
8. Group Hugs
There’s nothing more heartwarming than a big family hug. Group hugs can help the kids feel safe and loved, and bring a sense of togetherness. These images are often the ones that clients print out and place in their home! They look stunning displayed in living rooms or entryways, serving as a daily reminder of the family’s bond. Including everyone in such a close and warm pose showcases the love and connection shared, making these portraits timeless treasures for years to come.
This Family Pose Idea is one of the easiest ones to get, and also brings such warmth and togetherness and starts your session off on the right foot. It give them an idea of what to expect!
9. Ask For Big Fake Laugh
It sounds silly, but asking everyone to give the biggest fake laugh they can often results in real, genuine laughter from the whole family! This technique breaks the ice and eases any nervousness, especially for those who may feel a little camera-shy. The exaggerated silliness of a fake laugh not only lightens the mood but also creates an atmosphere of playfulness. As everyone relaxes, the smiles and laughter that follow are natural and effortless. This is a fantastic way to start a session and ensure that everyone feels comfortable in front of the camera.
Giving the family direction to give the biggest fake laughs they can, will often result in images just like this, because everyone feels so silly and it brings out their real joy and laughter which is what I am always trying to find.
10. Looking at Each Other, Not the Camera
The best smiles come when families are focused on each other, instead of the camera. I often remind parents to look at each other or their kids, and not me. I have kids interact with one another while holding hands or sharing a silly moment like a staring contest. This natural interaction helps everyone forget about the camera and focus on what truly matters—their relationships. Whether it’s parents sharing a quiet laugh or siblings exchanging giggles, these moments bring out authentic expressions of love and joy. These shots often feel the most genuine, as they showcase the unique dynamics and connections that make each family special.
For this image, I asked the girls to look up at their mom, while I asked her to look back at them. You can see the love and adoration in their eyes, and I know this is a photo that will be a treasured moment. This image was taken at Baskett Slough National Wildlife Refuge near Dallas, Oregon.
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