How do we take our family photos with adult children?

People ask how I plan to photograph their family with adult children, or teens, or any older kids. My answer is the same way I photograph families with younger children. Family dynamics and genuine interactions aren’t dependent on the age of your offspring. If anything, they’ve developed stronger connections to you as a parent as they age.

Families are families are families. I enjoy getting to know you and your children, even if they are adults, your grandchildren, and your pets.

Walk me through a family session

You’ll notice, for those of you who come back to me year after year, I spend a lot of time holding my camera down to my side. I thoroughly enjoy chatting with you and feel our time is best spent bonding and connecting before I ever lift my camera or press the shutter.

We walk. We talk. It is like a fun family day with a weird paparazzi following you around.

Once I get a feel for your crew, I start setting up some images. It is more prompts and light direction based on your personalities than strict posing. I want your images to reflect you and your family.

With adult children I treat them as I treat you. As a peer. As someone of value in your family. They bring a lot to the table and I want to get them out of their shells. This is my life’s goal especially with teens, to make them feel beautiful and crack some authentic smiles.

Family photos matter

It doesn’t matter if your family is spread across the country or live in the same house. It doesn’t matter if your kids are grown and you have hundreds of photos of them already. Any time is a good time to schedule family photos. They matter. Most important – getting YOU in the frame with your adult children is critical. It is everything.

Even when your children have grown, I am happy to put you all in front of my camera and give you some images you can look back on and love.

Let’s also get parents in front of the camera alone. Your family started with the two of you, and it’s as important to document a few frames of the two of you as it is to capture your whole family.