If you want to get an idea of what a family photo session might look like when you hire me, check out the photos and list of prompts below. These are some of my favorite ways to create movement during family photo sessions with young children. Most of these are prompts or games you can play. When I’m photographing families, I try to document the movement from various angles as well as up close and far away. I will often have them repeat the actions a couple of times. In my experience, this makes photo sessions playful and fun for everyone (and a good workout for parents too! 😄)
Below you will see various examples from this Lancaster family photo session at Overlook Park that show movement and play. My goal is to make everyone feel at ease by using simple guided actions, which allows both children and parents to feel comfortable and be themselves. For the most part, I allow kids to run the show. If they don’t like my suggestions or don’t want to go along with the prompts, no problem! I try to let the children be the guide and will often ask them for ideas so they can contribute and feel like they have a say in our activities. I may even offer to let them snap a photo or two!
FAVORITE PHOTO SESSION PROMPTS FOR FAMILIES WITH KIDS:
1. ring-around-the-rosie
2. superman with mom or dad flying them through the air on their belly
3. swinging variations with parents holding hands and having the child jump and swing or spinning them in a circle
4. london bridge: parents form a bridge with their arms and kids run underneath
5. kid tornado: have kids run around the parents while parents hug in the middle
6. follow the leader: have someone pull everyone in a line
7. airplane pose: have parent lift child in the air above their head or they can lie down on a blanket and lift them
8. blanket hammock or blanket parachute play. Parents hold both sides of the blanket and swish it up in the air while kids run under or use the blanket as a hammock.
9. twirling/dancing together
10. sitting on shoulders
RING-AROUND-THE-ROSIE:
This one is a classic. Have everyone hold hands and move around in a circle. Works best for groups of 4 or more.
SUPERMAN
Parent lifts child in the air on their belly so it feels like they are flying. If there is more than one child, parents can each lift a kid and have them fly towards one another. This move can also be done lying down and lifting the child on your knees or with your arms, depending on how heavy they are.
SWINGING:
There are many variations to the swinging prompt but the basic one is where the child stands between both parents and holds their hands and then jumps or swings in the air.
LONDON BRIDGE:
Parents form a bridge with their arms and kids take turns running underneath. For added fun, parents can try to capture the kids as they pass through.
KID TORNADO:
Have parents stand in the center and hug while kids chase one another around the parents in a circle, hence the kid tornado.
FOLLOW THE LEADER:
Have someone pull everyone along in a line holding hands. I love to use this prompt for silhouettes because you can see everyone’s shape perfectly against a big open sky.
AIRPLANE POSE:
Have a parent lift their child in the air and make them fly. Very similar to superman pose, just a different name. Or you can have everyone pretend to be airplanes and ‘fly’ around with their arms out.
BLANKET HAMMOCK OR BLANKET PARACHUTE PLAY:
Parents hold both sides of the blanket and swish it up in the air while kids run under (parachute) or use the blanket as a hammock and have kids sit in the middle while parents gently swing it back and forth.
TWIRLING OR DANCING:
Twirling or do-si-do is always a fun option, especially when you’re wearing a fun twirly dress!
SITTING ON SHOULDERS:
An easy go-to prompt with young children is to put them on your shoulders. It almost always brings a big smile, especially if parents dip up and down as they walk or tilt to the side. I also like to have parents kiss while their little one(s) is on their shoulders or have kids try to kiss their parent.
Want to know how this family felt about their photo session? In her own words, this was what mom had to say upon receiving their photo gallery:
“Melissa, wow wow wow — I have about 75 favorites. I am amazed by what you were able to capture amidst the chaos. The girls’ personalities are shining loud in so many of these photos.”
It means the world to me to hear when my clients love their photos and I always appreciate every bit of feedback! If you are looking for a fun family photo session experience, I hope you’ll reach out!
Melissa Engle Photography offers portrait, family and lifestyle photography in Lancaster, PA. Please contact me if you would like to make some photo magic together!
