REAL FAMILY PHOTOS: PLAY BEATS POSING EVERYTIME
I met up with Tina, Pouya, and little Neil at the lake in Cambridge to celebrate his first birthday. Simple plan: a few family photos, a little play, then a cake smash to finish.
And honestly, this is exactly the kind of session I love.
Why this worked so well
Most people think “good photos” means standing still and smiling on command. But the best moments almost never happen that way.
Kids do not want to perform. They want to explore, touch things, wander off, come back, laugh, and get cuddles when they feel like it. That is where the real photos live.
So instead of forcing poses, we kept things moving and playful. I gave simple prompts, let Neil do his thing, and followed the connection as it happened.
The little moments are the whole point
There were so many genuine moments in this session:
- Neil sitting quietly in his little setup, taking it all in
- Mum sneaking in close for a kiss
- Dad and Neil having a laugh together
- Those in-between looks that happen when nobody is “trying”
That is what families want to remember. Not perfect posture. Not everyone looking at the camera at the same time.
The cake smash finale
We wrapped up with a cake smash, and it was the perfect ending. A bit messy, a bit chaotic, lots of happy energy. The kind of fun that makes photos feel alive.
Cake smashes are great because they give kids something to do, parents permission to relax, and everyone stops worrying about “getting it right”.
A quick note for parents reading this
If you are putting off a family session because you think your child will not sit still, that is actually a good thing.
You do not need a perfectly behaved kid. You just need space to play and a photographer who knows how to guide without making it stiff.
That is how you get photos that feel like your family.
Want something like this for your family?
If you are in Hamilton or Cambridge and you want honest, natural family photos (with gentle guidance and room to play), send me a message. I will help you choose a location, keep it easy, and create something you will actually want on your walls, not just on your phone.
