Family Photo Shoot | Blackwood Farm Park in Chapel Hill
North Carolina Family Photographer Shares Tips for Family Photo Shoots
Nikki Whitt Belch, Founder and Owner of Fancy This Photography
I first met Chelsey many moons ago when she started Gather Together Events, her Raleigh-based wedding planning business. Believe me when I say that Chelsey knows how to flawlessly plan a knockout wedding. She specializes in private home, outdoor, and tented weddings that are truly stunning. When Chelsey asked me to be her North Carolina family photographer, I was honored and excited. In addition to wedding and branding photography, Fancy This Photography lives for family photo shoots.
As a mom, I understand how quickly time flies. It's important to document the stages of your family because it all goes by so quickly. This is such a sweet time with everyone under one roof. People deserve this.
Using my Nikon z6ii, I captured Chelsey’s family’s contagious love and joy in images they will cherish forever. This family photo shoot in North Carolina is chicken soup for the soul. But I’m all about efficiency, so I’m going to share some tips and tricks for planning an easy, breezy, beautiful family photo shoot alongside these gorgeous family photos.
Families are one of my all-time favorite things to photograph. Whether you have a chaotic family (hello, toddlers) or an awkward family with older kids, each stage needs to be documented in all its glory.
This winter family photo shoot took place at Blackwood Farm Park in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Keep scrolling for more family photo shoot ideas.
If you’re interested in booking a family photo shoot with Fancy This Photography, please email nikki@fancythisphotography.com.
Honest Tips for Family Photo Shoots
The first thing I do for a family photo shoot is try to get to know the kids. They are the heart and soul of the session. Sometimes, trust can be earned with a cake pop—my North Carolina family photographer version of the olive branch. I used this approach with Chelsey’s kids, and it was a sweet success.
If kids have a lot of energy and are acting crazy, running around and loving life, that's what I document. All of it is beautiful. I’ve learned to embrace the chaos, if there is any. That’s why there is a mixture of posed and candid images in this family photo shoot. I love the photos of Chelsey’s kids running through the meadow at Blackwood Farm Park in Chapel Hill.
Back in the day, family photo shoots were stiff, forced, and painful for kids to endure. Imagine hours of standing still and being adjusted by a stranger in a department store photo booth. I do smile at the memory of those awkward photos of families in identical outfits. Don’t worry, we’ll talk about family photo shoot outfit ideas later in the blog.
All this is to say—family photo shoots with Fancy This Photography are authentic, natural, comfortable, and professional. When I take pictures of a family, I want to give them a beautiful snapshot of that moment in their lives. Family photos are vessels for memories and stories. One day, Chelsey will pull out the pictures from this photo shoot and remind her kids of a time when they were young, innocent, and full of silly joy.
Family photo shoots remind me just how sweet life is. It really can’t get much better than this.
Family Photo Shoot Ideas
Before we dive into family photo shoot outfit ideas, let’s give a shoutout to parents. I love kids, but parents are really the best. When two people come together and decide to bring more good human beings into the world, it’s a beautiful thing. That's why I recommend that parents get some quality pictures without the kids during their family photo shoot.
Keep scrolling for more family photo shoot ideas and inspiration from this session at Blackwood Farm Park in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
Family Photo Outfit Ideas
My main advice is to find a pattern or color that the family really likes, then find complementary colors that go with it. For instance, if someone has a blue and white dress, another family member could wear a mauve shirt or even orange (if they’re feeling bold) to complement the pattern. I also provide family photo outfit ideas in vision board format for those who need a visual aid.
Chelsey’s skirt set the tone for the fashion in this family photo shoot. The rest of her family looked amazing in complementary shades of Carolina blue and coral. I loved that the colors were bright and joyful yet suitable for winter. I also appreciated that the oldest child wore a suit jacket to match his father, while the younger two wore soft sweaters.
Outfit changes can be a good idea, but when doing a family photo shoot with small kids, their attention spans are limited. If you have small kids, I suggest sticking to one outfit for the family photo shoot. Chelsey’s family did not have any outfit changes, and I think that was the best decision. We added variety to their images by changing locations, walking from the meadow to the front porch of the historic farmhouse at Blackwood Farm Park in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
Should You Bring Your Pet to Your Family Photo Shoot?
If you have a pet who is a big part of the family and can handle the spotlight, bring them to the family photo shoot! However, if your pet has a lot of anxiety or doesn’t do well in public places, it might be best to leave them at home. If you do bring your furry friend, I suggest bringing a pet handler. This way, they can hold the pet while you take pictures with just the family. We’ll want to get pictures both with and without the pet.
Book Your Session with a North Carolina Family Photographer
Thank you for visiting our blog and exploring Fancy This Photography’s work and advice for family photo shoots. As a seasoned North Carolina family photographer, I would be honored to capture your family.
If you’re interested in booking a family photo shoot with Fancy This Photography, please email nikki@fancythisphotography.com.
