How Long Should Family Photos Take? Why Longer Sessions Tell a Better Story
If you're looking for a 30A family photographer, you've probably noticed that session lengths vary. Some photographers offer 20-minute mini sessions. Others offer 30 minutes, 60 minutes, or more.
So how much time do you actually need?
The answer depends on one simple question.
What do you hope these photographs will mean to your family 10 or 20 years from now?
If all you want is a nice picture for your holiday card or something to post on social media, a quick session might be enough.
But if you want photographs that show what your family was really like, what this season of life felt like, and how you loved, laughed and spent time together--that takes more than a few minutes. That's the heart of documentary family photography, and you can read more about what that means in my guide, What Is Documentary Family Photography and Why Is It Important?
Real relationships take a little time to unfold, and that's exactly what I'm hoping to photograph.
Real life doesn't happen on a schedule.
It happens between the poses.
The Best Moments Can't Be Rushed
The longer we're together, the more your family's personalities begin to shine through.
There's time for the laughter.
The quiet moments.
The sibling teasing.
The bear hugs.
The pouty lip that is so uniquely your toddler.
The side glance between you and your partner that says more than words.
Those are the moments I hope you'll treasure years from now.
Could I get a nice family portrait in twenty minutes? Probably.
But my goal isn't simply to give you one beautiful picture.
I want to give you a collection of photographs that tells the story of your family while you are here on 30A.
That takes time.
What Changes During a Longer Photo Session?
One of the biggest differences is that everyone eventually forgets about the camera.
Kids stop wondering who's taking pictures.
Dads stop feeling like they're participating in a photo shoot.
Grandparents become more involved.
Everyone relaxes.
Instead of trying to create moments, we simply let them happen.
The longer we're together, the more variety you'll have too. Instead of twenty versions of the same pose, you'll have photographs of conversations, games, hugs, walks along the beach, splashing in the water and all of the little moments in between.
Why I Don't Offer Mini Sessions
Mini sessions are wonderful for many photographers and families. They can be a great option if all you're looking for is one or two updated family portraits.
That's simply not what I photograph.
My goal is to tell the story of your family. Those moments take time.
What Actually Happens During the Session?
We'll meet, say hello and get comfortable with one another. Don't be surprised if I start taking photographs almost immediately. Sometimes those first few minutes are full of wonderful little moments, like a child hiding behind Mom's leg or a teenager giving that classic eye roll.
If you'd like, we'll also spend about 5 to 10 minutes getting a few photographs where everyone is looking at the camera. Depending on the light, we'll do those either at the beginning or the end of the session.
After that...
You simply enjoy your family.
I'll photograph what naturally unfolds.
Think of me as a friend hanging out with a camera rather than someone directing you.
"Two Hours? Are You Crazy?"
At first, two hours sounds exhausting.
Until people realize they aren't spending two hours posing.
They're spending two hours doing exactly what they were planning to do anyway.
Playing football.
Building sandcastles.
Throwing a frisbee.
Roasting marshmallows around a bonfire.
Walking the beach.
Watching the kids skimboard while relaxing in a beach chair.
You don't have to smile on command.
The kids don't have to behave perfectly.
No one has to perform for the camera.
You simply spend time together while I quietly document it.
There are plenty of activities that work beautifully for relaxed, candid family photos on 30A, from beach games to exploring the area together.
Grandparents Are One of the Best Reasons to Slow Down
Some of my favorite photographs happen when grandparents are part of the day.
There's no rushing them from pose to pose.
Instead, they're reading a book with a grandchild, helping build a sandcastle, walking along the shoreline or sharing a quiet hug.
Years from now, those are often the photographs that mean the most.
Not because everyone looked perfect.
Because they remember how it felt to be together.
What If Someone in My Family Hates Having Their Picture Taken?
Honestly...
That's one of the reasons I photograph this way.
If someone is introverted or uncomfortable in front of a camera, asking them to smile and pose over and over usually makes things worse.
Instead, they can simply be themselves.
Maybe they're quietly collecting shells.
Building a sandcastle.
Playing catch.
Watching everyone else.
That's perfectly okay.
I'm interested in photographing who they really are, not who they think they're supposed to be in front of a camera.
It Isn't Time Away From Your 30A Vacation
People often worry that photography will interrupt their vacation.
I look at it differently.
Your session is part of your vacation.
I'm simply documenting what you're already doing.
I've photographed families where the adults relaxed with a cold beer while the kids skimboarded for an hour.
Nobody was bribed.
Nobody was forced to smile.
Everyone simply enjoyed being together.
Those are some of my favorite sessions.
Those sessions never feel like work. They feel like a vacation that just happens to be photographed.
Give Your Family Time to Be Themselves
The best photographs aren't rushed.
They're discovered.
Given enough time, people stop thinking about the camera and start paying attention to each other.
That's when the real moments happen.
Those are the photographs your children will look back on one day.
The ones that remind them what it felt like to be part of your family.
Because real moments can't be faked, and they certainly can't be rushed.
Ready to Give It a Try?
If you'd rather spend your time playing with your family than posing for the camera, I'd love to photograph your story.
Let's give your family the time to relax, play and simply be yourselves. The photographs will follow.