I have a really quick way to make your family photos feel more authentic, as we all gear up for Fall Family Photos Season in Richmond. It doesn’t have anything to do with the weather (it’s raining, again), but it does have something to do with the location you choose, the clothes you wear, and the activities you decide to do during your family photos.

A family of four sitting outdoors. Mom and young son are making faces at each other while Dad and teenager are laughing at the camera.

Ready? Here’s how to make your family photos feel more authentic:

Be yourselves.

That’s it. That’s the blog.

You: "What does “Be yourselves” mean? How do we actually do that during family photos? Won’t that feel less authentic?"

Here are some actual, practical tips on how your family photos can feel more authentic:

1) Hire someone you can hold a conversation with.

Hiring someone you can talk to like a normal person will help you loosen up and feel more relaxed, and will signal to the rest of your family that it's okay for them to be themselves, too. Talking before our session will give us some things to connect on and help us have a more relaxed, real conversation on the day of the session.

A couple laugh on the floor of their playroom while their young children play around them.

2) Choose a location that means something to your family.

Choose home, or your neighborhood, or pick a spot in Richmond where you have history as a family, or where you like to spend time together. If you’ve never been there before, you won’t be as relaxed. If you’ve spent time there, you know where it’s okay for your kids to run and play, and that helps you relax, too.

3) Dress how you normally dress.

Shop in your own closet, instead of buying a new coordinated wardrobe of outfits for everyone. Let the kids choose their own outfits (maybe with a little guidance so they don't choose something from the no list). Don't force a button-down on someone who naturally avoids button-downs.

A mom holds her baby boy to her chest, with her arms wrapped around him. Her hands and his back are in focus.

4) Feed everyone before the session.

You want to be yourselves at your fed best, not your hangriest. I have a full list of snack ideas for right before and during a photo session, so you can stay fed and clean.

5) Spend time together as a family.

You know, how you normally do. If it's normally chaos and mayhem, I am here for the chaos and mayhem. If it's normally quiet and peaceful, with everyone doing their own thing in the same space, that sounds heavenly and I'd also like to photograph that.

It doesn't have to be fancy (fancy can feel intimidating) and it doesn't need to be a big production. Show me where you walk your dog. Take me back to the spot where your partner proposed 10 years ago. Invite me in for a cup of coffee (I will decline because I’ve already had one, but please have your own) while the kids tear apart the playroom and then regroup in the kitchen with a popsicle. (All real, recent, adorable family photo sessions.)

If you need ideas for what you can do with your family during a session, I’ve got that covered, too.

Family of four sitting outside at Brown's Island in Richmond VA during a family photo session.

You really can't go wrong if you're being yourselves. You’ll be surprised how much feeling relaxed comes across as looking relaxed, when it comes to family photos.

Tips for Authentic Richmond Family Photos