This is our 3rd time photographing Mika and her daughter, Lanka, who is named after the beautiful orchid. We love the carefree images that represents the bond they share as mother and daughter. What precious memories these are! The best kind of family portraits are the ones where you are sharing a moment together, doing the everyday things you love, like taking a walk in the park, running with the dogs and smelling the flowers.
Planning a family photoshoot might be stressful for some families especially if it involves little ones, seniors or even just an extra number of people! Some clients then wonder where is the best place to have the family portraits taken – at home, our studio or outdoors? Here are 5 reasons why we think you should consider your home as a solid option!
1. Be yourself
You’re most yourself when you’re comfortable. And when you feel great, the photos will turn out amazing. For some people, being in a foreign environment might make them feel anxious, thus resulting in them not feeling their best. Most adults are good at adapting to new places but for kids, not so much. Oftentimes we’ve come across kids who struggle having their photos taken in our studio because they’re still processing their surroundings which takes some time. And we’ve noticed kids (and adults!) are definitely having a way more fun time during the session when they’re at home. Plus everyone could even walk around bare feet. Now isn’t that a bonus!
2. Hassle-free
There’s just so much more things to worry about when the whole family is involved in a 1-2 hour shoot. Time is precious and you want everything to go smoothly. We get it. You don’t want to worry about traffic or parking, if everyone wore the right outfits, if you remembered to grab your kid’s favourite snacks. When you’re at home, problems like these are no longer on your mind. Or at least the solutions are only a few steps away!
Planning to have a family portrait session and not sure what to expect? What is the usual flow for a family session? Would it work if we have kids, grandparents, and other smaller families in the same photo session?
Here is some information on what to expect in a family photo session:
1. Start the photo session with the important photo:
We frequently recommend beginning with a few of the larger family photos. It’s best to capture them first when everyone has the most energy. Also, we want to get them done before the kids get too tired or restless! Unless you have a different priority for the shoot, let us know!
2. Smaller group
After the big group photos, we can continue with some smaller group photos. We also try to prioritise kids first as they might get tired or distracted easily from the photoshoot session. We suggest getting most of their photos taken first – pictures of them with parents, grandparents, uncles and aunties, and also individual shots!
When it comes to planning for a family photoshoot, it’s easy to become overwhelmed. What more if you’re looking into including multi-generations? Grandparents, parents, siblings, kids—oh my! The thought of coordinating a session like this can put off even the best of planners. Here are some tips if you’re looking to include multiple generations in your next family photoshoot.
1. Don’t Leave it to the Last Minute
Getting a date where all parties involved are available will be half the battle accomplished. You will need to plan ahead in order to book everyone’s time. To make things easier, choose a period when people are already gathering—for example, the festive holidays. Alternatively, pick an occasion to celebrate that will bring the family together, such as a wedding anniversary or grandparents’ birthday. You can then plan the photoshoot around this celebration. It might even be the highlight!
2. Do Coordinate Your Outfits
Now that you’ve got the date, the second half of the battle is deciding what to wear. Rather than having everyone come in the same type of outfit or colour, aim for coordination instead. Choose one or two colours that the entire family can agree on and allow for a variety based on the colour scheme. This will allow every family member’s outfit to mesh well together without matching too much. For large groups, you may want to consider solids, as too many patterns can be distracting.
For tips on how to dress your family for the shoot, refer to our article here.
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1. Perdana Botanical Garden (Taman Botani Perdana)
The Perdana Botanical Garden, formerly known as Taman Tasik Perdana or Lake Gardens, is situated in the Heritage Park of Kuala Lumpur. Famously known for the beautiful yellow canopy architecture in the centre of the park, locals often come here for photos and fun activities such as picnics, biking, and even skateboarding! What’s special about this park is that there’s always something different to photograph as they have more than 10 different areas to explore, such as an outdoor area with a huge children’s playground, jogging and cycling tracks, a Hibiscus Park, an Orchid Garden, The Sunken Garden, Deer Park, Bamboo House, and much more. It is the perfect outdoor place for families to have a wonderful time, having a picnic session or plainly enjoying the surrounding nature with little ones and having these moments captured. We have been here hundreds of times, and we never get tired of this beautiful park!
Entrance Fee: Free
Opening Hours: 7am – 8pm
2. TTDI Park
This park is a hidden gem, mostly known to locals, located in a quiet housing area in Taman Tun Dr. Ismail. Its main feature is a huge lake surrounded by more flora and people walking on the tracks. It is a beautiful spot for families to have a relaxing morning or evening and for their photographs to be taken when the golden hour hits them stunningly. Children can also wade in or catch small fish in the nearby stream. There might even be a cameo in your photographs of the monkeys living in the park! Just remember to not feed the monkeys, as they can be rather aggressive!
Entrance Fee: Free
Opening Hours: 6:45am – 7pm