Three Tips For Creating Great Family Portraits | Photography Tips

Hey friend! 


It is not a secret that I love family photography. And I SUPER love Seattle Family Photography because I love the people in this city! They are for sure my people.  

Family photography is what I would say is my speciality, my zone of genius. I love it. But I will admit, there was a time when I was telling my friends... "I think I am going to give up on family photography and stick to newborns and seniors." You guys! I suck at seniors. And while I do love newborns, at that time it was posed newborns I was talking about. This couldn't have been further from what I love or what my heart wanted. It was what I thought was easier. 

So what gives? 

Well, I hated family photography because I was trying to make my families look perfect. I was scouring the internet trying to find the perfect poses and then trying at every shoot to pose my families in these perfect ways which was making me feel totally defeated. It would make anyone feel that way. Sound familiar?? Please tell me I am not alone. ;)

So let me tell you three things you can do RIGHT NOW to improve your family photography and whats more is that it will make it more satisfying for you too. 

1. Give up perfection. Let it go. Today, stop trying to make your families look perfect. Instead, focus on capturing connection and emotion. Family is anything but perfect and there is no rule book that says we have to make them look that way. Put your own twist on it. 

2. Use movement in your family work. Ask them to sing, dance, spin, run, tickle, tell a story. Anything to get them engaged and moving. You will love the results. 

3. Tell the parents over and over again NOT to look at you but instead to look at each other. This will make the images more meaningful and more emotive. They need lots of reminding about this as they have been trained to look at the camera their whole lives but it will be worth it. 

Give these tips a try and let me know if even these simple tips help you make a change. Family photography is very in demand so don't give up! 

Baby James | Seattle Newborn Photographer

I know I have said this a million times and I know I will say it a million times again but I love newborn photography. My sessions are super chill. I know how much is going on in your house when you have a newborn baby. Last thing I want you to do is feel stress about your baby acting a certain way for perfect photos. Your baby is perfect just as he or she is and I will show you that. I will come into your home and capture you just as you are. I use my experience as a NICU nurse to keep your baby safe and comfortable all while using my experience as an artist to create timeless images for you and your family to last a life time. 

This session was so heart warming. Baby James was named after his grandfathers and both were present for the shoot. We got many images of baby James in the arms of his grandparents. Then, we captured him with his big sister and his parents.

It was a sunny spring morning here in Seattle and the warmth of the sun filled their home. But the warmth of their love is what left me leaving with a smile on my face and happiness in my heart. 

Seattle Newborn Photography

Seattle Newborn Photography

Seattle Newborn Photography

Seattle Newborn Photography

Seattle Family Photography

Seattle Family Photography

Seattle Family Photography

Seattle Family Photography

Seattle Family Photographer

Seattle Family Photographer

Seattle In Home Newborn Photographer

Seattle In Home Newborn Photographer

Seattle In Home Newborn Photographer

Seattle In Home Newborn Photographer

Seattle In Home Newborn Photographer

Seattle Unposed Newborn Photographer

Seattle Unposed Newborn Photographer

Seattle Unposed Newborn Photographer

Seattle Unposed Newborn Photographer

Seattle Unposed Newborn Photographer

Seattle Newborn Photographer

Seattle Newborn Photographer

I Am A Camera Gear Minimalist | Photography Tips For Canon Users

Hi Friend, 
I hope you are having a wonderful week! 

I don't know about you, but when I was first starting out I thought I needed a ton of expensive camera gear to be a good photographer. I also thought to be considered a "professional" I had to have the latest camera body and a bag full of lenses. Not to mention an expensive camera bag at that! 

This was a major point of stress for me as we were on a very tight budget seven years ago. The only reason we had a DSLR was because we used our tax return money for it. But I wanted to make this business work so bad! So bad! So I decided to forge ahead with my Canon 50D and a 50mm 1.4 lens. 

I grew my business from nothing to a regular business with that gear alone. No other lenses. I made a pact to myself that I would not spend money on my business that I didn't make from my business. 

Of course, I have since upgraded but I still remain very minimal with my gear. I have a Canon 5D miii, a 35 mm 1.4, a 50mm 1.2, and a 135 mm 2.0. I also have a macro (non L) lens that I bought used. 

I use a combo of the 35 and 135 for family sessions and occasionally bring out the 50. 
http://www.elenasblairphotography.com/seattle-family-photographer/

I use the 35 almost exclusively for newborn sessions. I bring out the macro lens for about 5 minutes of each shoot. 
http://www.elenasblairphotography.com/newborn-photography-seattle/

I use the 50 exclusively for school shoots. 
http://www.elenasblairphotography.com/school-photography-seattle/

Everyone asks me when I plan to upgrade to the Mark IV. At this point I have no plans to. My miii works just fine and I have no need to drop nearly 4K just to have the latest gear. I will need a real reason to do that. 

I think starting my journey with a basic body and one lens made me a better photographer. It forced me to get creative in tight spaces (the 50D is a crop censor) and it inspired me to learn how to be *really* good with minimal gear rather than relying on lenses for effect or quality. 

If you are ready to upgrade, I recommend renting first. You may not love a lens that someone else is raving about. It really is a personal preference. 

So don't let other peoples massive gear stashes pressure you. The gear is nice, but it's the artist behind the lens that makes the photograph. 

Xoxo,

Elena
 

Baby Taylor | Seattle Newborn Photography

Stephanie was our real estate agent when we moved back to Seattle from New Mexico in 2009. She quickly became a friend. 

This sweet family had two babies in 18 months and I was lucky enough to be invited into their amazing home to capture both babies. They love their baby girls fiercely and it is always a pleasure being in their warm and inviting space. Stephanie is a skilled designer so every detail in their home is perfect. 

Newborn photography is absolutely a passion of mine. These moments are fleeting and need to be documented. I am honored I get to do it so frequently. 

Baby Eleanor (Nora) | Seattle Newborn Photographer

Do you ever have the feeling that people come into your life for a reason? I mean like every single person?

I feel like this about the families that I capture. Jenny contacted me for a maternity and newborn package. We have since gone on to stay in touch online and we have a ton in common. ;) She is a strong and motivated mother, doctor, AND business owner. I am lucky to have met her. 

Their newborn session was laid back and fun. We chatted about live with kids and I captured them enjoying their sweet new baby. Newborn Photography is such a gift and I am lucky to be able to do it. 

Enjoy!