How to take meaningful family photos at home: 10 tips from a documentary photographer
Why capturing authentic moments at home matters for family photography
As a family photographer and mum in Mandurah, I know many other mums who are tired of their only family portraits being over-posed, “say cheese” holiday snaps. They want family photos with more authenticity than a traditional photo shoot, but still want to be included in the photos, something that tends not to happen organically as they’re always the one behind the camera. Surprisingly, just a few decades ago, the kind of natural family photos mums want were common, before we got stuck in this world of insta-perfect, staged photography.
Looking back at old family albums, it’s clear that everyone had a camera—and they used it! Even dads weren’t shy about pulling out the disposable. My own mum took plenty of candid photos of the family growing up, and she was in plenty of them too. Yet today, despite having a camera in our pockets at all times, things have changed. Like many parents, I have a ton of photos of my kids but very few of us together, and they rarely get printed.
Maybe it’s the lack of a village or the online pressure of having perfect (not real) life reflected in images, or the fact that we no longer have to print the photos to see how they turned out, but mums today are missing out on capturing these precious memories.
I’m determined to change that.
Me and my Grandad - England in the early 90’s
Why real family moments are more meaningful than posed photos
It’s the little things in life that really matter; the early morning snuggles, the proud smiles after a masterpiece is painted, and family traditions passed down in the kitchen, that make family photos so meaningful. While traditional family portraits have their place, real, unfiltered moments show your family’s personality in a way that posed photos never could.
Years from now, you’ll want to remember how their tiny fingers wrapped around yours, the chaos of family life, and the love that held it all together. That’s why documentary family photography is so powerful. The best part? You can start capturing some of this magic at home for free by using some of the tips below.
Overcoming common challenges when photographing your family at home
Before diving into photography tips and techniques, let’s tackle some common challenges parents face when trying to take family photos at home. These are thoughts and concerns that I hear often as a family photographer. They are a sign that we’re still stuck in that insta-perfect world, but I promise, once you leave those worries behind, you’ll uncover the meaning and emotion of real family photography and you’ll never look back:
“My house isn’t photo-ready.”
That’s the beauty of documentary photography: It captures real life, and life is messy! Focus on moments, not perfection, and I’ll show you how to blend the mess into the background.
“My kids won’t sit still.”
They don’t need to! Capture movement, laughter, and chaos; those make for the most meaningful photos.
“I don’t know how to use my camera.”
Don’t worry, your phone camera is good enough. I’ll share simple tips to make the most of it whether you just want to take ‘nice’ photos or master your phone camera’s ‘Pro’ mode.
“I never get to be in the photos.”
This is a biggie, and something even us professional photographers struggle with. We’ll cover ways to get yourself in the frame, even if it’s just you and the kids taking the photos.
10 Expert Tips for Taking Meaningful Family Photos at Home
Capturing authentic, meaningful family photos at home doesn’t have to be complicated. With a few simple tips, you can create beautiful memories that will last a lifetime, all without the need for expensive, stressful, and awkward studio sessions.
1. Master Your Phone Camera
Most phones have multiple camera modes. Portrait mode is great for soft backgrounds that blur out the mess, while pro mode lets you adjust settings like aperture, shutter speed and sometimes even ISO. Here’s an overview of those settings and how to use them:
Aperture
This controls depth of field. A low number like f/1.8 keeps the subject in focus, but anything behind them will blur into the background: Great for mess. If you have multiple people in the frame, you’ll want to increase that number to keep them all in focus. Portrait mode is a great way of doing this automatically.
Shutter speed
If you’re photographing fast-moving kids, you’ll want your shutter speed high (as high as possible on many phones). A lower shutter speed, for example 1/250 will blur fast moving objects which is a fun effect to play with. The steadier your hand, the lower you’ll be able to get that number, but eventually you’ll want to invest in a tripod; something I recommend anyway as you’ll find out later.
ISO
This is how sensitive your camera is to light. You’ll notice that as your f/stop number increases or your shutter speed gets faster, your images get darker. That’s because less light is entering the lens. A higher ISO can increase your cameras sensitivity to light, thus compensating, but it does give images that grainy, low-quality effect most of us want to avoid. Try to keep your ISO under 800 and ideally around 1-200 to avoid it.
EV
This is the number that tells you if your photo is going to be too light or too dark. If you’re wanting to learn more about photography and balancing your settings, this is the number you’ll want to pay attention to. If it’s under 0 you’ll need to decrease your shutter speed, lower your f/stop number, increase your ISO, or simply turn on a light to bring it back up. If it’s over 0, you can increase your shutter speed, raise that f/stop number, lower your ISO, and play with lighting.
If it feels overwhelming, stick to auto mode, after all, we managed just fine with disposable cameras in the ’90s!
2. Use Natural Light for Stunning Family Portraits at Home
Cameras love light, but not all light was created equal. The best light is natural and comes from eye level, so aim for soft, ambient light from windows and doorways. Turn off overhead lights to minimise harsh shadows and use morning or late afternoon light for the softest glow.
If your home is dark or you’re shooting at night, a great way to control the lighting without your home feeling like a studio is with portable lamps. They’re relatively cheap now, rechargeable, and they have the added benefit of being home decor as well as your own personal lighting equipment.
3. Capture Real, Everyday Family Moments
We’ve all seen the faces a 3-year-old can pull when someone chimes “say cheese!”
Forced grins rarely capture true emotions. Focus on genuine interactions, from belly laughs to quiet hugs, and even the pouty face of someone who’s two hours overdue their nap tells a story! There’s no need to create perfect setups. Capture the real moments that matter to you, playing, eating, reading, even making a mess. These are the memories your kids will love looking back on anyway. If your kids move faster than a cat on caffeine, you can always set up an activity they love or embrace the energy and head outdoors. You can find activity ideas and some great kid friendly walks in my Family section.
4. Experiment with Angles and Composition in Family Photography
Composition is something that you only truly master with practice. I suggest turning on the grid guidelines on your phone camera and try to keep your subjects in the center or on one of those lines for a start. Then, experiment. Try different angles: shoot from above, behind, or through doorways for depth. Kneel to capture your child’s perspective and get closer to highlight tiny details like missing teeth, tiny fingers, and favourite toys.
There is no hard and fast rule about how a photo should be composed, it all depends on the focus of the image and what emotion you want to convey. If you’re really interested you can research leading lines, the rule of thirds, the golden spiral, or S-curve.
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5. Consider Ditching Digital
Film, disposable, and Polaroid cameras are making a comeback. So, why not go back to how we used to do it in the 90’s and ditch the phone for film. The novelty of these cameras often also makes it more likely that they will be used by husbands, partners, and kids, giving a fresh perspective to your family photos and ensuring that you end up back in the frame.
Just remind them to keep their fingers away from the lens - we all remember how those photos turn out.
6. Tell a Story Through Family Photos
Think beyond single snapshots. Documentary family photography should tell a story… Your story.
Rather than trying to get a single perfect shot, focus on capturing a full sequence of events like a morning routine or a family game night.
Spending time together as a family rather than spending time ‘taking photos’ also takes the focus off the camera and will result in more natural, memory filled images.
Then, remember to print those images either individually or in something like the heirloom albums I gift clients, to create something your kids will look back on one day and say “hey, remember this!”
7. Make Sure You’re in the Frame!
I get it, you’re always the one behind the camera. Me too! But your family’s story isn’t complete without you in it and your kids will miss you from the family album when they’re grown and have kids of their own. So, here are some tips for getting back in the frame:
Use a tripod:
Tripods, especially those for phones, are widely available and inexpensive. I love ones like this flexi phone tripod because they are less distracting, aren’t going to be knocked over, are more portable, and can be wrapped around things like doorhandles and fences to get new and interesting angles. Turn on gestures, grab a mobile shutter button, or use the button on your pen if you have a Samsung like me, to take remote photos from your phone camera, and get back in the frame
Prop up your phone & set a timer:
If you don’t have a tripod yet, or sometimes even when you do, the timer setting for your phone camera is super useful and usually under-utilised. Setting a timer allows you to prop your phone up and walk back into frame, it lets you slow your shutter speed right down to a point where even just pressing the button would blur the photo, and it makes your photos more natural as you don’t need to be gesturing, pressing buttons, or even looking at the camera when the photo is taken. It’s such a simple setting: Turn it on now.
Let your kids take turns capturing moments. (Kids love to get involved behind the camera!)
There are two things I want you to remember when giving your kids control of the camera:
First, if they’re still fairly young and you’re giving them your phone, get a good case because chances are, they’ll drop it at some point. If they’re really little, consider investing in a kids camera (My four-year-old has the Vtech Kidzoom duo FX). Giving little kids a camera not only gives your photos a new perspective and gets you back in the frame, it also allows you to see the world from their perspective. Something that I found really valuable as a parent.
Second, if they’re teenagers, get them to read this article first so they can understand the type of photos you’re after and why. Teens, in general, are looking to fit in, and today that can mean they also get stuck in the cycle needing images to be perfectly put together like the often very staged and photoshopped ones they see online, not great for home photography or their mental health.
8. Keep the Fun in Family Photography Sessions
If taking photos feels like a chore, your kids will pick up on it and the emotion captured in your photographs will reflect that. You don’t need to become a pro or worse, miss out on moments because you’re setting up your camera, that’s the exact opposite of what I aim to achieve with documentary family photography. Keep things lighthearted and let them (and you) relax and enjoy the moment together.
The best photos often come from unplanned, natural moments, but if you’re on your own and the chaos is too much, consider setting up an activity. Baking is often my go to because my kitchen has good light, my kids love it, and we can do it together. It’s the perfect combination. If you’re looking for inspiration in the kitchen with the kids, check out my recipes section.
9. Print Your Family Photos for Lasting Memories
The biggest downside of digital photography? We share our images online but rarely print them. Our memories gather digital dust, unseen, unloved, and un-remembered in the cloud, on our devices, and on hard drives in the back of desk drawers. That’s precisely why I decided that all my sessions would include a hand-designed heirloom album, so memories aren’t lost in the digital void.
But the photos you take at home deserve to be remembered as much as professional shots and there are lots of different ways to display them. Not sure how to print and display? Check out this article where I show different display options to suit every home (including some that are renter friendly). So, pick your favourites relive those beautiful memories every day.
10. Consider Booking a Professional Documentary Family Photographer
(Shameless plug: Like me)
Sometimes, calling in a professional documentary photographer can help you preserve your story with the attention it deserves. Some people just want to capture family life; others decide that big milestones like a new baby or new home are the ideal times to book a documentary family photo session. The truth is that there is no right or wrong time to call in a professional photographer. Whatever season of life you’re in right now, you’ll always get a unique photography experience and end up with authentic, memory filled photos for your family to enjoy together.
Key takeaways: The quick tips
Master your phone settings – Turn on grid lines, tap to focus, and make use of portrait mode.
Use natural light – Open curtains and turn off overhead lights and make use of lamps for soft, even light.
Embrace imperfection – Capture real life—mess, chaos, love, and all.
Shoot from different angles – Try high, low, wide, through doorways, in mirrors and close-up for variety.
Ditch digital - Go old school with a disposable, film, or Polaroid camera and let everyone take family photos like we used to.
Think in stories – Look for routines and small moments that tell the bigger story of family life.
Get in the frame – Use a timer or remote and tripod or give the kids a turn with the camera so you're in the memories too.
Keep it fun – Don’t force it. Plan an activity if the chaos is overwhelming and let moments unfold naturally.
Print your photos – Tangible prints make memories real and lasting.
Consider booking a professional - Like me! so you can focus on the memories.
A professional documentary session means:
You’re in the photos without the set-up.
As much as I advocate that anyone can take meaningful family photos at home, sometimes it’s just nice to have someone else do it and let you focus on what’s important: Your family.
Your family’s story is told artistically, without the stress.
You don’t need to worry about composition, or whether everything is in focus; that’s my job. Equally as important, you also don’t need to fuss over outfits or getting everyone to the studio on time… because there isn’t one.
You receive high-quality, timeless images that will last for generations.
Professional quality photos ✔️
Print guide and print ready USB ✔️
Beautifully crafted heirloom album to share with the kids ✔️
Taking meaningful family photos at home isn’t about perfection; it’s about capturing love, connection, and real life. With a little practice, you can create a collection of images that truly tell your family’s story. I encourage everyone to step back in the frame and capture those special memories at home. Looking back at those candid, connection-filled photos is something we had, that many kids today will miss out on.
I hope the tips and techniques that I’ve shared here will help you capture the magic of your family for generations to come, but if you think now is the right time for a tailored photography experience, I’d love to help tell your family story.
Whether you want to start out with a professional so you can experience how relaxed this style of photography can be or you’re ready for a professional photographer to capture the magic, allowing you to be fully present in the memory making, I’m here to help. I specialise in creating a tailored, relaxed, and memory-filled experience, whether at home or off on an adventure.
Learn more about my sessions, my style, and what local families have to say, by clicking below.
