When I first started my career as a family photographer in Boston, my work felt stiff and formal. I quickly realized that in order to get the look I wanted to achieve, I needed to incorporate prompts into my work. Prompts are the key to a Lifestyle Family photographer’s magic. Once I have a family in an attractive position in beautiful light, including prompts brings individuality to the images for each unique family. Figuring out what types of prompts to use can be tough! Today I am here to share 5 of my favorite prompts for family photography sessions.

5 Easy Prompts for a Family Session

I. Okay everyone, laugh!

I know, the most ridiculous prompt there ever is. I never promised you these would be innovative! Here’s the thing though, you’re not looking to capture the moment right when you say this and they awkwardly try to fake laugh. What you want is the moment that comes after this when they actually laugh because the fake laughing (particularly when kids do it) is so funny/ridiculous. That’s when the genuine smiles happen!

II. Get close. Closer! Even closer!

Next up in my list of favorite prompts for a family session deals with closeness. People tend to stand/sit laughably far apart from one another when posing for a picture. Everyone knows that when you’re in your own home and comfortable, your kids are ALL OVER YOU, all the time! We want to recreate that feeling of comfort and love and familiarity. This requires getting families CLOSE together. The way you prompt this might differ depending on the family you are working with. Some ideas are:

• Family Snuggles
• Asking someone on the outside to kiss someone on the other side
• Family hugs
• Go nose to nose
• Press your faces close together

III. Hold hands and walk

Walking adds life to photographs. People who feel nervous in front of the camera also tend to relax when given a movement task. For families, a great way to get active kiddos to stay with their family (instead of running away) is to have everyone link hands and give each person a turn “pulling” their family member. I shot these particular images from the side for a silhouette, but you can also have kids pull their parents towards you.

IV. Tickle one another.

This prompt is typically a big hit in the 2-6 year old crowd. They love being tickled and trying to “get” their siblings and parents. While kids don’t usually *need* these prompts to loosen up, parents typically do! Once I situate everyone, I’ll make sure to snap a few frames of everyone looking and some calmer, more snuggly images first. Tickling comes last because it always riles everyone up ;).

V. Motion, Motion, Motion!

Although the above prompts for a family session involve motion, it bears repeating! Over 50% of my session prompts involve motion because little kids need movement. If you want to get the 5 and under crowd to have fun and be excited for an hour family session, you’ll have a hard time if you’re not playing active games. Some of my favorites are:

• races
• jumping contests
• playing parachute with the blanket
• using my blanket as a hammock
• throwing a child in the air
• swinging kids in a circle or between parents
• piggy back or shoulder rides