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Blended Family Portraits:

Eric Cathell Photography

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Blended Family Portraits:

Blended Family Photo Ideas for Capturing the Beauty of Your Mix

Blended families are becoming more and more common in the United States. With divorce rates on the rise, many people find themselves having to manage different relationships and new family dynamics in their lives.

 

When capturing blended family portraits, it can be a challenge to capture all the beauty and complexity of a blended family. There are different ways that we can approach this type of session and it is important for you to know what those are so you can decide which method best fits your needs. Whether it is photographing siblings without parents or taking pictures with everyone present, let this guide help you figure out how to capture these memories!

The Importance of Capturing Blended Family Portraits

Like any family portrait, capturing blended family portraits requires careful planning. To keep everyone comfortable so that we can capture more natural photographs, it’s important to consider how each person feels about being photographed and make sure they understand what the portraits mean for you.

 

It’s also important for us to understand what you are trying to capture in the portraits, whether it is relationships with one another or just having fun together. There are different ways that we can approach this type of session and it is important for you to know what those are so you can decide which method best fits your needs. Whether it is photographing siblings without parents or taking pictures with everyone present, let this guide help you figure out how to capture these memories!

What to Expect from a Blended Family Portrait Session

  1. Studio Sessions

Studio sessions allow for lots of flexibility and aren’t affected by poor weather, bad lighting, or crowds. We usually photograph the whole range of family dynamics, siblings alone or with other siblings; kids with parents, parents alone, and of course the whole family together which we switch up quite a bit. But most important we work hand in hand with you to capture the beautiful blended family portraits.

 

  1. On-Location Session

A portrait session at a favorite location can really emphasize your family dynamic. Whether it’s a group portrait against a beach backdrop or siblings walking down a forest trail holding hands, location sessions allow for a wide range of portraits focused on family connections within your blended family. We can even arrange to come to your home and photograph your family where you are most comfortable.

 

  1. The Kids

The kids in your blended family will also have different needs during your session based on age and personality. Younger children may need time to get used to the setting (there are lots of lights and lots of cool stuff for them to touch, lol). Teens may need time too; they need to know they are in a safe space and that we aren’t going to embarrass them or make them look weird. Sometimes there are family dynamics that require extra patience and understanding.

 

  1. The Parents

Oh my, where to start…. Parents may need some help during the session too, depending on what their goals are for the pictures.  It’s very important that parents remain calm during the session. Our children feed off our emotions and if you get stressed or anxious so will they. We have lots of experience working with kids, and so long as parents behave, we will capture great images of your kids for you.

How to Capture Different Types of Relationships

One of the most common topics that blended families bring up is the different relationships.

 

For example, a blended family may have two sets of parents or siblings with completely different parents. Capturing these relationships can be difficult, but with patience and compassion, it can all work out well. You can rely on us to help you navigate through the process.

 

There are a few different ways that we can approach this type of session and the types of relationships that you may want to capture when photographing a blended family portrait. Understanding what each type of relationship is and how to best capture the essence of it will help capture better pictures during your session.

The Importance of Communication

Capturing blended family portraits can be challenging because there are so many different people and relationships to work with. To do this, we need to establish a communication plan. We want everyone to feel comfortable and at ease during the session so that they can enjoy themselves without feeling any pressure.

 

We will establish clear expectations with the parents before the session. We will discuss how you, the parents, would like their children photographed. It’s also important that we have a take the time with each child(especially older siblings), as they may have different ideas about what they want in their pictures than what their parents might want.

 

Photographing siblings with parents around can also be difficult because of parent vs sibling expectations. It’s very hard to encourage smiles and cooperation when situations get tense, and tempers start to rise. Communication and patience are an essential part of any family portrait session, but they can be especially important when photographing a blended family portrait. We work hard to ensure that everyone stays comfortable and the session is enjoyable for everyone.

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Conclusion

The beauty of a blended family is found in the way everyone’s unique relationship to one another shines through. An important step in capturing this beauty is by ensuring that we have had enough interaction with the family members to understand what’s important to each member.

 

Communication is key to ensuring that every member of the family feels included and respected and that we have captured all the love and beauty within the mix!