Finding the right photographer for your family is more important than you might realise. Photography styles are as varied as the people who create them, and having photos that truly make your heart soar and capture your family just as you are is the best feeling in the world. The style of photos is crucial; when you proudly hang your photos on the wall, you want to know they will complement the décor of your home and be images that you truly love to look at.

But there is so much more to your family photography experience than you might know. From the moment your online search begins, right to when you are enjoying your printed products displayed in your home, each step of the process matters.

I’m here to shed some light on this journey, which might help you make the important decision of who will create these family memories for you and your loved ones.

Are you ready to delve into the realm of family photography? Let's jump right in!

Step 1 | Your Online Search Begins!

Google, Facebook and Instagram are usually your first point of calls on your search to find the perfect photographer. Whether you’ve come across a photographers work through friends family or you’ve found them organically, checking out their website and portfolios will give you a really good indication of the quality of the work a photographer produces.

There are a few things to consider when you’re looking through a portfolio, the use of colours and light, the editing style, how the subjects of the photos look. Family photography can come in three main categories, of course there is every nuance in between but you can tell pretty quickly by the photos whether they are pure documentary, lifestyle or a posed studio style.

Documentary Photography

This style focuses on capturing candid and completely unposed moments as they naturally unfold. Images often have a raw and authentic feel, perfect for those who cherish true, genuine emotions and storytelling. The photographer acts as an observer, blending into the background and capturing your family’s natural interactions and everyday life.

Sessions in this style don’t tend to be heavily styled, focusing instead on the authenticity and emotional depth of everyday contexts with a beautiful use of natural light. Locations are often your own home or places where your family spends time together, making the images feel even more personal and meaningful.

This style involves minimal time investment in preparation before the session, as there is no need for extensive wardrobe planning or styling. The focus is on capturing the natural flow of your family's life. However, the sessions may last longer than other formats to truly capture the breadth of your family’s interactions and routines.

Documentary photography is perfect for families who value authenticity over perfection and want their photos to reflect real-life moments. It’s ideal for those who prefer a hands-off approach and want to see the genuine, unscripted beauty of their family relationships.

Lifestyle Photography

A harmonious blend of relaxed poses and natural movements characterizes this genre. Lifestyle photography aims to capture the essence of your family, showcasing genuine connections and interactions often in beautiful settings. The photographer provides some direction but then waits for lovely moments of connection to unfold. There is often a focus on styling to create a cohesive look that enhances the natural setting without overshadowing the authentic moments.

The location is typically somewhere you can interact with, such as a beach, long grass for kids to play in, or your home, where activities like bathing the baby or making pancakes with the kids can be set up.

This style involves a moderate time investment with some preparation required, but it is usually done through guides that you can review in your own time. Typically, you will work with your photographer ahead of time to style your wardrobe for the session. This preparation ensures that everyone looks their best while still feeling comfortable and natural.

This style of photography is perfect for families who may feel uncomfortable in front of the camera; having gentle direction from your photographer creates an environment where your family's true personalities and relationships can shine through, resulting in beautiful, authentic moments full of cuddles, playfulness, and gentle interactions.

Posed / Studio Photography

Posed studio photography involves more controlled posing and settings, resulting in polished and timeless images. The photographer takes full control of the environment, lighting, and positioning to ensure every detail is perfect. This style often uses professional lighting setups and backdrops to create a classic and refined aesthetic.

In a studio setting, the photographer meticulously arranges each element, from the subjects' poses to the placement of props and lighting. This attention to detail ensures that every image is flawless and well-composed. The focus is on creating elegant, high-quality portraits that stand the test of time.

Studio sessions may include styling services, such as professional hair and makeup, as well as wardrobe consultations to achieve a cohesive and sophisticated look. The controlled environment allows for a comfortable and stress-free experience, making it easy for families to relax and enjoy the session.

This style often requires a more significant time investment, with fewer photos produced compared to other styles. The emphasis is on quality over quantity, focusing on creating stunning, high-end images. Additionally, posed studio photography often centers around purchasing printed artworks rather than digital files, offering beautiful, tangible memories to display in your home.

This style is perfect for those seeking classic portraits with a refined aesthetic. It’s ideal for families who appreciate the artistry of well-crafted images and desire a polished, high-end look for their family photos.

Step 2 | Client Experience

Of course, the final photos you receive are incredibly important, but a big part of the outcome depends on the experience from when you first contact your photographer, right through to hanging your photos on your wall. How you are guided through this process is just as important. Here is a breakdown of the three main approaches that your photographer may fall into:

Quick and Easy

• Preparation: These photographers will flick you a quick message with some tips on how to prepare. Minimal styling help is provided.

• Ideal For: Perfect for families who want to update their family photos or have very little time to invest in their session.

• Pricing: These photographers tend to be more affordable as their own time investment in your session is less.

• Delivery: Usually delivered through an online gallery, all-inclusive so you get all the digital files. No option for purchasing prints.

A Helping Hand, At Your Own Leisure

• Preparation: These photographers will give you everything you need for every step of the way and are acutely aware that your time is precious. They spend hours fine-tuning their prep and style guides to ensure you have everything you need, which you can review at your own pace.

• Ideal For: Suitable for families who want detailed guidance but prefer to go through the preparation at their leisure.

• Pricing: These photographers usually have average pricing. They invest heavily into creating worthwhile guides to make your job easier and really add value to your session. They typically have more experience, which is reflected in the quality of the guides and the overall service.

• Delivery: Often delivered in an online gallery, sometimes in packages, making the experience accessible to people at different budgets. They usually have access to printed products, either through your online gallery or the photographer will talk you through the products during your session or provide a guide to help you purchase.
  
  
  

High-Touch Service

• Preparation: These photographers offer an extensive, hands-on approach. From in-person meetings to discuss your vision, to providing full styling services, including hair and makeup on the day of the shoot.

• Ideal For: Ideal for those who seek a luxurious, all-inclusive experience and don't mind a significant time investment.

• Pricing: These photographers tend to come with a higher price tag. The comprehensive and tailored service justifies the cost, providing a seamless and high-quality experience from start to finish.

• Delivery: They tend to be IPS (In-Person Sales) photographers, focusing on selling you beautiful artworks rather than digital files. You will also need to return to the studio for a purchasing session, where you review your edited images and purchase your collections.
  
  
  

Step 3 | Your Session Experience

Photography is a job that requires excellent people skills. If someone is a successful working photographer, you can be sure they are a people person. However, whether you and your family will gel with your photographer is another story. Being able to meet them or speak to them beforehand is a great way to find out if you are a match!

There are various ways a photographer might interact with you during your session, and the style of photography you choose will greatly affect this interaction. Here’s what you can expect:

Minimal Interaction

For a quick and easy session, photographers often provide minimal direction. They let you and your family interact naturally, capturing candid moments as they happen. This approach works well if you’re comfortable in front of the camera and prefer a laid-back experience.

Thoughtful Guidance

Photographers who offer a balanced approach will give gentle direction to help you feel at ease and look your best. They might set up scenes and give prompts like “tickle your little boy” or “why don't all the kids cuddle Mama.” This method ensures a mix of candid and posed shots, capturing genuine interactions while providing enough structure to make everyone comfortable.

Detailed Attention

In posed/studio photography, the photographer will control every aspect of the session. They will meticulously direct every little detail, from the placement of hands and fingers to the direction of your chin and the positioning of props. This approach is ideal for those who want highly polished and refined images.

Understanding how a photographer interacts with their clients during sessions can help you choose someone who matches your family's needs and comfort level. Whether you prefer minimal direction, thoughtful guidance, or detailed attention, knowing what to expect can make your session more enjoyable and successful.

Step 5: Aftercare Service

How your photographer handles the aftercare service is crucial to ensuring you make the most out of your family photos. Here's a breakdown of what you can expect:

Simple and Efficient Aftercare

In a quick and easy service, you’ll typically receive a gallery of photos to download. These images might not be optimized for both print or social media, so you may need to do some extra work to get them ready for various uses. Sometimes, there will be an online store attached to the gallery, but no real guidance on what to purchase or how to display your photos. This approach is straightforward but can leave you feeling a bit lost in terms of next steps, the images often languishing on your phone or computer.

Comprehensive Support

Photographers who offer a helping hand but also like to respect your time, will provide lots of interaction post-session, usually in an online format so you can go through it at your own pace. They will assist you in picking the right products, and sometimes prints or a print credit will be included in your package. This helps ensure your beautiful images don’t fade into the background on your phone, motivating you to create meaningful products with your photos rather than adding another task to your already busy to-do list. Your photographer will usually offer high end, professional print products that they have meticulously tested, ensuring you receive the best possible products. This level of aftercare strikes a balance between guidance and flexibility, allowing you to make informed decisions without overwhelming your schedule.

Full-Service Aftercare

For a high-touch service, aftercare involves a print ordering session back at the studio. Here, you can pick your products from a selection of top-tier, professionally crafted items. These prints and products are of exceptional quality, often custom-made and sometimes there will even be an installations service, ensuring that every step of the way is taken care of. This means that your images are beautifully displayed and cherished for years to come. It’s a comprehensive approach that takes care of everything, leaving you with stunning artwork and a memorable experience.

Choosing the right level of aftercare is as important as selecting the style and session type. Whether you prefer minimal interaction with a simple gallery download, comprehensive support with guided product selection, or a luxurious full-service experience, understanding your options will help you make the most of your family photos.

Step 6 | Cost

By now, you should have a good understanding of the different levels of service that you can expect from your family photos. Of course, your budget will be a significant deciding factor when choosing your photographer. Considering that a family photo shoot can cost anywhere from $200 up to $20,000, this is a crucial factor for many families.

While a more involved photography experience might seem financially out of reach and the budget options might be tempting, please consider the level of service that will make you feel comfortable and provide results you will love. Almost every photographer can create a payment plan to help make this investment more manageable. You never get these moments back with your little ones, and having precious photos that capture them as they are in this very moment is something you will treasure for the rest of your life.


In the end, choosing the right photographer is about more than just the images; it's about the entire experience from start to finish. Whether you opt for a quick and easy session, a guided but flexible approach, or a luxurious, high-touch service, make sure it aligns with your family's needs and expectations. The memories you create and capture are priceless, so take the time to find a photographer who can deliver the experience and results that will bring joy for years to come.

If you're ready to explore how I can help you capture these precious moments with your family, feel free to reach out. I’m here to answer any questions and guide you through the process of creating beautiful memories that you'll cherish forever.