As a family photographer, one of the most important parts of my job is striking a balance between posed and candid shots. Both styles bring something unique to the table, and together, they create a rich, complete story of your family. Some moments are best captured with a little guidance, while others come alive in the most natural and unplanned ways. In this blog post, I’ll break down the art of combining candid and posed photography, and how both styles play an essential role in documenting your family’s story.
The Power of Posed Shots
Posed shots are typically what most people envision when they think of family portraits. These are the classic, well-composed images where everyone looks at the camera, smiles, and is positioned just right. While some may view posed shots as traditional, there’s a lot more to them than just standing in a line and saying “cheese.”
Posed shots offer:
- Timelessness: These images often become the family photos that hang on walls for years. They’re polished and intentional, capturing your family at its best.
- Control: In posed photos, I have more control over the setting, lighting, and positioning to ensure everyone looks their best. This can be particularly useful for large family photos where organizing everyone is key.
- Highlighting Relationships: With a bit of direction, I can showcase specific relationships within the family—like parents with their children or siblings together—by arranging them in ways that tell a story.
Posed photos are perfect for moments where you want everyone looking their best and for creating those classic, framed portraits that stand the test of time. These photos require a bit of guidance but result in images that are polished and perfectly put together.
The Magic of Candid Shots
Candid photography, on the other hand, is all about capturing genuine, unscripted moments as they unfold. These images show your family as they really are—laughing, playing, or even just resting together. Candid shots capture the emotions, connections, and small details that posed photos might miss.
Candid moments bring:
- Authenticity: These images show the true spirit of your family. Whether it’s a parent embracing their child, a spontaneous laugh, or siblings chasing each other around, candid photos feel raw and real.
- Emotion: Candid shots are often filled with emotion, capturing those in-between moments that show the love, joy, and connection that make your family unique.
- Storytelling: These images tell a story of who your family is right now—how you interact, how you love each other, and how you make memories together.
Candid shots offer a glimpse into your family’s authentic dynamic. Rather than directing everyone, I simply observe and capture those fleeting, genuine moments. They’re the ones you might not even notice happening in the moment, but when you look back at the photos, they spark joy and memories.
Why Both Styles Matter
At the end of the day, your family’s story is made up of both posed moments and candid ones. Sometimes life is beautifully composed, and other times it’s messy, fun, and completely unscripted. Both are worth documenting.
Posed photos will give you those perfect family portraits you can proudly display in your home, while candid shots will remind you of the love and joy you share in everyday life. By combining both, we create a gallery of images that reflect not just what your family looks like, but who you are.
