If the thought of being in front of a camera makes you freeze up, you’re not alone. I photograph dozens of families every year, and almost everyone starts out saying, “We’re so awkward in photos.”
The good news? You don’t need to know what to do with your hands or how to “pose.” You just need a few simple mindset shifts to relax and actually enjoy the experience and you, too will get family photos that feel like home.
If you’re someone who feels awkward in photos, you’ll love my relaxed, connection-focused family sessions where you never have to perform, just be together.
How to Feel Comfortable During Outdoor Family Photos in Vancouver
You don’t need to know how to pose to enjoy your family photo session
It’s likely that your favourite photos won’t be the ones where everyone’s standing in a perfect line. They’ll be the ones where your toddler is laughing, your partner’s trying not to blink, and you’re smiling for real (not for the camera.)
When you stop worrying about perfect smiles and just be together, the photos naturally reflect your connection. If you want to see more of my approach to photographing real families, you’ll notice that the images you’ll love most are rarely the perfect ones, they’re the honest ones.
Why Movement Makes Outdoor Family Photos Feel More Natural
Walking, playing, and interacting creates relaxed family photos
Movement instantly makes photos feel natural. Fixing your child’s sleeve, walking together, or twirling them in the air, all those little moments bring genuine emotion and life into the frame.The best part? You don’t even have to think about it. I’ll guide you with easy prompts so you can focus on your family, not the lens.
Movement is one of the reasons outdoor family photos across the Lower Mainland feel so alive! The giggles, the running, the in-between gestures. Vancouver’s soft evening light and varied outdoor landscapes make it perfect for family photos, especially when kids feel comfortable moving and playing.
How Taking a Breath Helps You Relax in Front of the Camera
Small pauses can completely change how your family photos feel
Take a breath. Relax. It sounds simple, but that tiny pause helps you relax, which translates beautifully in photos. That small pause is exactly what allows calm, lifestyle family photography to feel so natural and real.
I know being in front of the camera can feel vulnerable (especially if you’re used to being behind it). My job is to make sure you feel comfortable, guided, and seen.
You don’t have to perform; you just have to show up. I’ll take care of the rest. If you want to get to know me a little more before booking, my About page shares more of who I am and why I love photographing families the way I do.
Letting Kids Be Themselves During Outdoor Family Photos
Why following your child’s lead creates meaningful family images
You’d be surprised to see what ideas kids have for photos. Some of the best photos happen when you stop trying to get the “perfect” shot and just let the kids take charge. When they’re allowed to explore, run, or show me their favourite toy, the tension disappears and their real personalities show up. I’ll follow their lead and capture those tiny in-between moments that feel like your family, not a Pinterest board.
On a side note: some of my favourite images come from in-home family storytelling sessions because kids feel so comfortable being themselves in their own homes.
Why Over-Preparing Kids Can Make Family Photos Harder
Calm parents lead to relaxed outdoor family photo sessions
You don’t need a pre-photo pep talk or a list of “smile nicely” reminders. Kids feel our energy, if you’re calm, they’ll relax too.
Instead of focusing on getting them to cooperate, focus on making it fun. Silly noises, tickles, or a quick snack break go a long way. If you want help with choosing outfits or locations, my ‘What to Wear Guide’ for families takes the guesswork out.
Connection Over Perfection in Outdoor Family Photography
What actually makes family photos feel timeless
It’s easy to get caught up in how everyone looks (outfits, hair, poses) but what actually makes a photo timeless is connection. To see how connection truly transforms a photo, you can see recent family sessions here.
When you focus on the way you hold your child’s hand, laugh together, or simply look at each other, the rest takes care of itself. My job is to frame that connection beautifully, your job is just to feel it.
How to Love Your Family Photos Long After the Session Ends
Why showing up matters more than looking “camera-ready”
The secret to loving your photos isn’t about angles, posing, or Pinterest boards, it’s about letting go a little (or a lot). When you do, what shows up in your photos is what matters most: the real you.
If you’ve been waiting for a sign to get in the frame this year, this is it. Family sessions are now open in The Lower Mainland and the Fraser Valley. I’d love to meet you. If you’re feeling ready to try a session that actually feels like you, you can book your winter family session here.
Outdoor family portraits in Abbotsford, BC
This Abbotsford family session took place on a quiet path surrounded by tall grass and golden light at Willband Creek Park in the late Summer.
We focused on simple, real moments: walking together, laughing, and letting the kids lead.
These are the photos families come back to again and again, the kind that feel like home every time you see them.
View more examples of Outdoor Family Photo Sessions in Vancouver & the Fraser Valley
