A family session is planned around the people who come together: how many, how old, what they need and how much time each can give. Choose a photographer whose family series feel like yours, then agree with them on the place, the flow of the session, the images delivered and what may be published.
Who will be in the photos
The make-up of the group changes everything: a couple with one child, three generations together or a blended family are not photographed the same way. Give the photographer the number of people, the children's ages and the groupings you want to see in the photos.
Group size
The larger the group, the more time it takes for whole-group photos and for smaller groupings: each household, grandparents with grandchildren, brothers and sisters. List those combinations in advance so the photographer plans the time needed.
Accessibility
If someone has difficulty moving around, uses a wheelchair or cannot stand for long, tell the photographer. They can suggest an accessible place, seated photos and a flow without long walks.
Children and breaks
Children have their own pace. Share nap and meal times, and plan breaks: a snack, a game, a moment away from the camera. A photographer used to children alternates posed images with play.
Ask the quote to state: time on site, the number of groups and groupings photographed, the breaks planned and the finished images.
Choosing the place and planning for weather
The place sets the mood of the session and shapes everyone's comfort. A park, the family home, a beach or a studio differ in access, space and how much the weather matters.
Outdoors
An open-air location lets children move and gives lively images. Check the access, whether there is shelter and somewhere to sit, and whether you need permission to photograph on private grounds.
At home
At your home or the grandparents', the session shows a place that matters to the family. The photographer will need to know about the space and the light: a few photos of the rooms help them prepare.
If the weather turns
For an outdoor session, decide in advance what happens if it rains: postpone, move indoors or carry on. Ask the photographer for their rescheduling terms, which should be in the contract.
How to choose a family photographer
Judge a family photographer on complete series: how natural the children look, how large groups are handled, how consistent the light and editing are. A series with a group of a similar size to yours is the best clue.
- Children
- do they look at ease, or tense in every image?
- Large groups
- are whole-group photos readable, with everyone clearly visible?
- Balance
- does the series mix posed photos and spontaneous moments?
- Comparable places
- have you seen their work outdoors, at home or in a studio, as your project needs?
- Editing
- do colour and black and white stay consistent from one series to the next?
Family session preparation checklist
Before contacting a photographer, gather this information. It lets them propose a suitable offer and helps you compare the answers; it does not replace the conversation with them.
- People
- number of adults and children, ages, and the groupings you want.
- Particular needs
- reduced mobility, tiredness, anything that calls for a gentler pace.
- Children's rhythm
- nap and meal times, breaks to plan.
- Place
- outdoors, at home or in a studio, access and any permissions.
- Weather
- the fallback and when the decision is made.
- Outfits
- colours or style you want, with no need to match.
- Animals
- whether a pet comes and who looks after it.
- Deliverables
- what the final gallery includes, number or type of images, timing.
- Publication
- what the photographer may publish, and the agreement of each adult and of each child's parents.
Booking a session is not agreeing to publication
Buying a session and allowing the images to be published are two separate decisions. The booking sets what the photographer shoots and delivers to you; publication by the photographer, in their portfolio or on social media, needs a separate agreement.
Each recognisable adult gives their own agreement, and in France publishing an image of a child requires the parents' authorisation: Service Public explains image rights (in French). In a session that brings several households together, the parents of each child need to agree. Write your preferences into the contract.
Comparing offers and booking
The price of a family session varies with length, group size, location, travel, retouching and deliverables. To compare two photographers, send them the same checklist and check that each proposal states what the final gallery includes, its timing and the rescheduling terms.
For a session centred on a newborn, see baby photographers; during a pregnancy, maternity photographers; for a portrait of your animal, pet photographers.
Enter the city and date in the search, or browse the cities listed below. On a photographer's profile, look through their series and packages, at a fixed price or on quote, and send them a message if a question remains. Then choose the package closest to your project, the date, time and place, and add your checklist to the booking request. If they accept, the photographer sends you a contract drawn up from the booking, which you sign online before they do. Graindevue does not use price as a ranking criterion.
Frequently asked questions
What if a child refuses to cooperate?
That is normal and common. Plan breaks and let the photographer suggest a game or an activity. A successful family session also shows spontaneous moments.
Can we include our pets?
Often yes, but ask before booking. Say which animal will come and who looks after it during the session.
Can several households join the same session?
Yes, if the photographer agrees. Give the number of people and the groupings you want so they plan the time, and collect each household's agreement to publication.