As a family and couples photographer, capturing authentic and candid moments can elevate your work from ordinary to extraordinary! As cheesy as that sounds, its true! Families and couples cherish photos that reflect true emotions and genuine interactions. Here are some tips to help you create the perfect unposed candid prompts that convey authenticity and joy.
Pro-Tip
I always ask clients to feel comfortable throughout the session to tell me these three things at any time:
Specific Pose Requests: If there is a specific pose or something they want to do, let me know and we can get it done! The little kiddo's always have an idea for a fun family photo idea.
Personality Fit: If anything is not their personality, let me know so I can suggest something else. Some families may not be the holding hand type, which is okay. Instead, we can adjust and have them walk more casually, or if they’re "too cool for school," have them do a dramatic walk that makes them look like they’re straight out of an album cover.
Recreating Photos: If there is a photo from their past they want to recreate, let me know. Sometimes families have shots they’ve been doing since day one, or a couple always recreates their wedding pose, etc.
1. Encourage Movement
One of the best ways to capture candid moments is to encourage your subjects to move. Adjust your shutter speed to 1/600+ and use a wider aperture for the best results. Movement brings out natural expressions and interactions that make the images memories not just photos.
For Families: These activities will help you capture playful and fun family photos that are anything but cheesy. You can do these poses either as a family or pared up.
Walk hand-in-hand
Chase each other
Hold hands and run towards the camera
Play a game of tag
Dance party
Mama duck and her babies following the leader
Father and daughter slow dance
For Couples: Movement will highlight their connection and bring out their true emotion, especially for those who are a bit shy.
Ask them to dance together like they do at home
Twirl (for best results, have them hold their hands away from you to ensure no one's face is covered & ask the dominant partner who is twirling the other to put their hand closer to you in their pocket; this helps avoid unflattering poses caused by using that hand for balance).
Playful piggyback ride (have them look at each other or give quick kisses on the side of the face)
2. Candid Prompts to Create Interaction
Prompts that encourage interaction help to draw out genuine reactions.
For Families: Have them share a story, tell a joke, or play a game like "Simon Says." These prompts will result in candid expressions and interactions perfect for a documentary family photographer aiming to capture unposed moments.
Share a story
Tell a joke
Play "Simon Says"
For Couples: Ask them to whisper secrets to each other, share a favorite memory, or pretend they're on their first date. This will evoke natural smiles and affectionate glances.
Whisper secrets
Share a favorite memory
Pretend they’re on their first date
Who can kiss the sexiest?
Who Did it better?
3. Use Props Creatively
Props can add a playful element to your photos and make your subjects feel more comfortable.
For Families: Suggest bringing along a favorite toy, a picnic blanket, or a set of bubbles. This can make the session feel like a fun family outing rather than a formal photoshoot.
Picnic blanket
Bubbles
Sand, Water, the Elements
For Couples: Flowers, a vintage bicycle, or even a shared coffee can create a dreamy photographer's vision of unposed romance.
Flowers
Vintage bicycle
Shared coffee
Sunglasses
Check out my blog post "How to Prepare for your Photography Experience?" - it includes some ideas for some great props for your next photoshoot.
4. Prompt Genuine Connection
Help your photography clients connect with each other in ways that bring out natural and authentic emotions.
For Families: Ask parents to tickle their kids or give them a bear hug. Capture the giggles and squirming for authentic, candid photos.
Tickle fight
Bear hug
For teens I have them hug and face their parent tell them one reason they are proud of their mom or dad
For Couples: These moments of connection will produce true emotion and intimate photographs.
Look into each other’s eyes
Share what they love most about each other
Forehead to forehead - close eyes and try to sync each other's breathing
5. Incorporate the Environment
Using the environment can help your subjects feel more at ease and act naturally.
For Families: Have them explore a park, climb rocks, or walk through a field. The changing scenery will keep them engaged and less focused on the camera.
Explore a park
Climb rocks
Walk through a field
Jump in the water
For Couples: Capture them in places that are meaningful to them, like a favorite café or a scenic overlook. These locations will inspire natural interactions and help tell their unique story.
Favorite café
Scenic overlook
Tell them to continue to talk to eachother for a more natural look
6. Encourage Playfulness
It's okay if you get some bloopers, they tend to be a secret favorite. May not be the ones they post or print but they will be the ones that will be their phone background and cherish memories forever.
For Families: Ask kids to play their favorite game or show off their latest trick. Capture parents joining in or watching with pride. These moments will result in fun family photos bursting with personality.
After posing them for a classic family shot ask them to smile at with their teeth ( Dads love pointing);
Smile at "Who is the best cook"
Smile at "Who is the loudest"
Smile at "Who has the stinkiest/loudest farts "
Simply have them simply HAHA! at eachother
For Couples: Encourage playful activities like a tickle fight or a spontaneous dance. These prompts will bring out their carefree side and lead to truly candid shots.
Tickle fight
Lick each other
Growl
Make favorite animal noise in each others ear
Spontaneous dance - Tell the more masculine partner in the beginning of the photo-session to spontaneously throughout the shoot twirl or pull their partner in for a kiss when they arent expecting it.
7. Capture the In-Between Moments
Some of the most authentic photos happen between the posed shots.
For Families: Keep your camera ready as they transition between activities, adjust their clothes, or share a quiet moment.
Transition between activities
Adjust clothes
Share a quiet moment
Cuddling a crying infant
For Couples: Capture the moments when they think you're not shooting, like when they’re walking hand-in-hand or sharing a quiet laugh.
Fixing the others hair & Adjust clothes
Helping fluff the dress
Sharing a quiet laugh
8. Include Pets and Animals
Incorporating pets and animals into the photoshoot can add a layer of fun and warmth, making the session feel more relaxed and natural.
For Families: Pets are often considered part of the family, so including them in the photos can capture the true essence of the family dynamic. Pro tip- Make sure you are at a location that allows pets!
Have the family walk their dog together
Let the kids play fetch with the dog
Capture a quiet moment of the family cuddling with their pet
For Couples: Including a pet can showcase the couple’s shared love and add a playful element to the photoshoot.
Have the couple walk their dog while holding hands during your photoshoot
Capture a moment of them sitting on a blanket with their pet
Let the couple play with their pet and capture the laughter and joy
9. The Far-Away Documentary Shot
I typically end with this documentary-styled shot during my sessions for a grand finale. The far-away distance candid capture allows you to capture your subjects in a truly unposed manner.
Tell them you're going to take a step back and adjust your lens, then take photos from a distance.
Before moving farther away for the perfect capture; encourage them to interact as if they are at home or how they would be if no one was there.
Let them enjoy each other's company however they want, capturing the essence of their relationship in the most natural way possible.
By incorporating these candid prompts and techniques, you can create authentic photos that families and couples will cherish forever.
As a documentary family photographer, your goal is to capture true emotion and genuine connections, resulting in images that are both dreamy and authentic.
Embrace the unposed moments and let your clients natural interactions shine through!
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