Candid Family Portrait Photography

This family photo session in Princeton is the perfect example of the kind of documentary-style, candid family portrait photography that we love. It hit all the marks: the family was comfortable in the location, everybody went with the flow of the day, and we kept it moving the whole time (one of our favorite family photo shoot tips!).

It used to be that family portraits were taken in studios with backdrops and lots of posing. Nowadays it’s much more common to see family shoots happening outdoors or in another, more casual location. Clearly, we love the second option! It’s so much more relaxed and often much more true to who a family is.

But we also like to take it even further. We go for documentary-style photo shoots, meaning that on top of a casual, family-friendly location, we keep everyone moving. They get to play, chat, and just go about their day, while we just happen to be photographing them.

We get to see our clients interact almost as they would if we weren’t there, and the photos are so special because of that.

Those natural, beautiful, and truly funny family moments unfold throughout the day, and we capture every big belly laugh, silly face, comforting hug, chalk drawing, and thoughtful moment that comes with them.

Reasons to Love Candid Family Portrait Photography

1. The smiles are natural. No forced or “posey” fake smiles here!

2. The whole experience is fun. It’s like going on a special family outing, and coming back with the best pictures ever!

3. Outdoor, natural light is so beautiful. Although kids don’t need much help looking great in pictures, it’s very flattering for the rest of us!

4. The session is designed around whatever you love to do as a family. It can happen anywhere, involve any kind of activity, and be as spontaneous, silly, and heartfelt as you want it to be.

In this shoot, brother, little sister, and baby sister took turns being the star of the show! Kyo started shooting them in front of Nassau Hall, but they rambled all over Princeton campus, playing on stone steps, doing somersaults on the lawn, racing each other down the gravel walkways at Prospect Garden, and jumping into Daddy’s arms from the “Public Table” sculpture by East Pyne building.

5. The pictures can be used in so many different ways. You can put them together to tell the story of the day in a photo book; hang a collection of them together for a gallery wall in your house, or blow one of them up extra large for a dramatic piece of statement art. (Of course they make heart-melting holiday cards, too!)

Fun Photo Shoots = Fun Family Photos!

The best part about this shoot was, well, it was fun! For the family and for us! Everyone was relaxed and natural, and no one was afraid to be a little silly. You can tell by looking at the photos that the children had no hesitations when it came to expressing their full personalities! And because everyone had a great time during the shoot, the photos are relaxed, light-hearted, and true to who the family is and how they operate together.

There’s so much beauty in those simple, normal little moments of everyday family life. These documentary-style images remind us of that. We hope that these photos help this family remember what their life with three little kids feels like every time they look back on their photos.

Here is a kids portrait gallery and also an editorial lifestyle gallery.