5 Myths About Family Photos (and What You Actually Need to Capture Beautiful Memories)

As a lifestyle family photographer, I hear a lot of concerns from parents before their session. Many of these worries stem from common myths about what makes a successful family photoshoot. If you’ve ever thought, “I’m worried my kids won’t behave,” or “I need to buy everyone new outfits,” you’re not alone! Let’s bust five of the biggest myths about family photography so you can have a stress-free and enjoyable experience.

Myth #1: Kids Need to Behave Perfectly

Let’s be honest—kids are kids! They wiggle, giggle, run, make silly faces, and sometimes get a little cranky. And that’s okay! The best photos -the ones you’ll treasure forever- capture authentic moments, not forced smiles. As a lifestyle family photographer, I encourage children to be themselves during a session because their natural expressions and interactions tell the real story of your family. Some of the most beautiful images come from unplanned moments—like when your toddler reaches up for a hug or your little one bursts into laughter at a silly joke.

Wild, high-energy behavior can lead to beautifully fun photos. I’m going to be encouraging your kids to run and jump and explore during our time together. Kids who want to do this naturally make the session easier, not harder. If they get too rowdy, we’ll come up with ways to calm them down with a quiet activity or let them burn off energy out of frame for bit. We have about an entire hour together. Your kid doesn’t have to be act a certain way for that entire hour. And experience has taught me that they won’t.

Shy, quieter kids may not want to look at my camera, let go of Mom/Dad, or be silly. That’s okay, too. We ease into it. While they are warming up to my presence, you get to enjoy quieter moments with your kid. There’s never a reason to force your kid to be different than they are for photos.

Myth #2: You Need to Buy New Clothes

You don’t need to spend a fortune (or anything) on outfits for everyone. In fact, the best wardrobe choices are often simple, comfortable, and true to your family’s style. Choose neutral or soft tones, avoid loud patterns or logos, and most importantly—wear something you feel good in! You can probably find options in your closets that will work for photos.

The goal is for your lifestyle family photos to reflect who you are, not to look like your stepped out of a perfectly curated catalog or editorial. In fact, if you never wear dresses and decide to put one on for your family photos you may feel uncomfortable which will affect how you look back on your photos.

Myth #3: Your Home Has to Be Perfect

If we’re doing an in-home session, don’t stress about having a spotless, magazine-worthy house. I promise I won’t be photographing your laundry, your kids’ corner of toys, or the dishes in the sink (unless you want that real-life, lived-in home documentary-like session). You don’t need a large, open-concept floor plan with floor-to-ceiling windows. You need one or two good-sized windows that let in a lot of natural light and a clutter-free space. That’s it.

As a lifestyle family photographer, I focus on capturing connection, not perfection. A little tidying up in the spaces we’ll use (like the living room, master bedroom, or nursery) is plenty. Lived-in homes tell stories, and those personal touches—your child’s favorite stuffed animal on the couch or the well-loved books on the shelf—add warmth and authenticity to your photos. At the end of the day, it’s YOUR home and that’s what matters.

Your home will change over time, too. The decor, the paint, the layout, the furniture, it won’t last as long as your photos. You may move to a new home. You may lose the home your in. Let your home be a member of your family and show it off just as is. The way your home looks at the time of your session will be how your kids remember it for years. I still remember what my childhood home looked like from the furniture to the tile to the paint in the tiny downstairs guest bathroom. And my old family photos help keep those memories alive.

Myth #4: Everyone Needs to Look at the Camera and Smile

Sitting still in a stiff pose while everyone keeps a smile on their face is an outdated way of takin family photos. Sure, most family photo sessions get a photo where everyone is smiling for the camera, but the rest of the session is about you looking anywhere but at the camera.

Some of the most meaningful family photos come from candid moments—when you’re laughing, playing, or simply enjoying each other’s company. Not every shot needs to have everyone looking directly at the camera with a perfect smile. The images you’ll love the most are the ones that captured natural expressions, real emotions, and the unique connections within your family.

Besides, an hour of looking and smiling at the camera sounds boring. Who wants to spend their time like that? But, an hour swinging your kids in the air, chasing them, looking for tiny frogs in the river bank, tickling your kids while snuggling on a blanket, listening to them tell you a story, or giggling over fart jokes sounds like a much better time to me.

Myth #5: You Have to Wait for the “Perfect Time”

We all have thought “I’ll get photos taken when…” and put off scheduling photos. Whether you’re waiting for a specific time of year, for your kid’s self-trimmed hair or your husband’s beard to grow back, or for you to lose weight (which is never necessary by the way), or you remodel the kitchen, or any other event you think needs to happen, remember there’s no better time to take the photo than NOW.

There’s no such thing as the perfect time for family photography. Kids grow and change so fast, making every season of life worth documenting—messy hair, missing teeth, and all! Whether it’s a cozy in-home session, a sunlit outdoor shoot, doing an everyday activity, or capturing a candid day at the park, it’s important to create those lasting memories. Life can change in an instant. Time will pass you by. Don’t put off being in photos with your kids.

Lifestyle family photography should be fun, stress-free, and full of love. Let go of the pressure, embrace the chaos, and trust that your family’s unique story will shine through. When you do, you’ll end up with images that feel real, heartfelt, and timeless.

Thinking about booking a session with a lifestyle family photographer? Let’s create something beautiful together!