Family Portraits
The family portrait is understandably one of the most important images you can create. It brings together a group of your loved ones for one special moment in time. It’s a time capsule of these precious humans (and non humans sometimes) who love and cherish each other, gathered together, creating art. Sometimes it’s part of a generational celebration—grandparents, their children, and their children. What an honor it is to be part of that. Some family portraits are smaller yet equally important. We all deserve to have a family portrait keepsake. Ariniko Artistry provides family portrait sessions to all families.
How this Works
What are your session needs? Since all families vary, all their sessions will vary as well. Determining the needs of your family will help me create a session plan that achieves all your family photography goals. Family portraits can be as simple as a couple posing with their pup or as complicated as multi-generational families gathering for a group photo as well as combinations of different family members together: grandparents with grandkids, siblings, sibling’s families, grand kids together. The list can be long. I suggest creating a photo combination list, much like for a wedding, and sharing it with me before our session. I can help move your family through poses with ease, creating all the combinations you want.
When do you need images or products? Is there a date or event for which you need these images? Make sure you let me know so we can get them to you before you need them.
Location? I mostly shoot on location at this time, unless you want to book at your home or business. We have phenomenal locations in the Greater Lansing area to choose from to create whatever image you may want. Share your ideas with me and I’ll come up with the perfect location! I can also accommodate a session at your home or business. I’m extremely flexible with planning your perfect family session. One of my favorite sessions was held at Van Atta’s Greenhouse.
How do you want to look for your images? Are you hoping for beautiful spring flowers and your family dressed in Easter clothes? Do you love autumn colors and deep jewel toned outfits? Once you’ve connected the where & when, the how becomes a lot more fun! We can do almost anything your heart desires. If you have trouble coming up with ideas, let me know and we can brainstorm. Sometimes I ask my clients to go through Pinterest or other sites to find their look and share that with me. I’ve photographed a Halloween wedding where everyone was in costume to young men on sailboats, to little girls in fairy costumes. I love creativity and helping you create the perfect images for your family.
What final products are you interest in purchasing? Finally, what do you hope to have as your final products? Are you hoping to have a beautiful lay flat coffee table book to share or give as a gift? Do you want prints to pass along to all the grandkids? I have so many products that we can have made from your digital images. Please let me know. You are also able to purchase the digital image for personal use. Check my pricing tab at the bottom of this page for product pricing and packages.
If you have any questions, call (517-484-8789), email (ariniko@ariniko.com), or use my contact form to send me a note.
Tips and Tricks
For families with small children:
- Wear layers especially in colder shoots.
- Always bring a washcloth or wipes for noses and other mishaps.
- Rather than matching clothing exactly, use color coordination; browns and greens, lighter or darker shades of the same color. Also make sure the colors are good on you for your complexion.
- If you choose a location, pick one that accentuates your personalities or will go well with the space you plan your wall art to hang.
- Bring things that enhance the shoot or tell a story or promote the idea you want to share.
- Bring treats for the kids as a reward system. Positive reinforcement (produces anticipation looks on the face) works better than negative, which creates frowns and sometimes tears.
- Let them have a "lovey" in the photo, especially really small objects that won’t be seen in the photo but makes their day.
- Keep it simple. It really is about all of you and your faces in the end, not the location or clothes or anything else.
- Using props that cause movement tends to give blurry images; e.g swords, throwing leaves and jumping. Special care is needed in a photo if these are expected for images. Speak to me about this during your consultation communications.
- Let me know of any stylistic shot you might like and what your purpose is. This will help guarantee we include it in the shooting time.
