Family photography styles explained for busy moms
We photographers tend to use lots of words, slang, and terms that make total sense to us because it’s what we live every day — but that’s not your busy mama life. In this blog post, I’m breaking down the most important and common terms YOU need to understand before booking your family session.
What is your photographer’s editing style
Light & Airy refers to soft creamy tones, light faded colors, minimal contrast, and soft shadows.
Dark & Moody photos are rich and dramatic. Shadows are deepened, colors are bold, and the contrast is strong.
Vibrant & Punchy editing style features bright, saturated colors with one pop color.
True-to-color photos are minimally edited, colors look natural and accurate, and the exposure is balanced.
Don’t forget these are not the one and only styles. Most photographers are usually somewhere in between. Make sure you study their portfolios to see which one fits your taste the best!
Golden hour magic
You have surely heard this one — your session will be scheduled for the golden hour. But when will that actually be? Your photos will look absolutely best 45 minutes before sunset OR 30 minutes before sunrise. No harsh shadows on your faces or squinting eyes, just a beautiful golden summer glow.
If your session lasts long enough, you can take advantage of the blue hour as well — the moments after the sun goes down when the light is flat and beautiful too!
So which one are you? Early bird or night owl? Don’t forget that in the PNW, sunsets are pretty late in summer (and sunrises are very early). If your kids can’t stay up late, plan your session for Fall or Winter :)
All inclusive or ‘Ala Carte’
These 2 types of sessions are super important and not known enough.
An all-inclusive photographer will deliver an entire gallery of all good edited photographs in the highest resolution. No deciding or picking your favorites — they are all yours! This session can include prints or an album as well. You will have the option to either order more prints via your gallery or order them elsewhere. It’s all up to your preference.
Pro TIP: avoid Shutterfly, Walmart, etc. They are basically terrible :)
An Ala Carte photographer will sell you a package that includes a specific amount of photos only, or prints only. You will have to order each photo separately via your photographer. Prints and albums are separate. Make sure you read all the details so you are not surprised during your gallery delivery.
Natural light photographer — What does that mean?
It might sound obvious, but let’s be clear about this. A natural light photographer does not use artificial light or flash. She uses only available sunlight, whether outside or coming in through windows. She works with shadows and sun flares.
Lifestyle vs. Posed vs. Documentary
A lifestyle family photographer will give you prompts and ideas of things to do throughout the whole session. She knows how to guide you and what looks good in photos. Each prompt (fun things to do with your kids) is pretty specific, but it unfolds differently for each family and what is natural to them. You don’t have to know how to pose for this kind of session. All you have to do is connect and interact with whoever you came to the session with.
Posed sessions are often studio sessions or branding sessions that are very specific for a special purpose.
Documentary sessions are exactly what they sound like — they document the event without any interference from the photographer. They can be absolutely beautiful if you love candids and just want to create a memory of a special season of your life.
Now you know everything you need to pick the right kind of session for your family. Ready to send an inquiry? I can’t wait to work together!
