How To Choose The Right Family Photographer
How To Choose The Right Family Photographer
Finding the perfect family photographer can be a daunting task. But, by researching your options and understanding what to look for in a photographer, you can make sure you get the results you need without breaking your budget. Not all family photographers are a good match be sure to read this article to find the best family photographers for your taste.
Learn more about our family photographer services
2023 Guide to our top 10 outdoor family portrait locations in Orange County
Session Fees and Packages
Get an overall idea of a photographers' family session fees and packages in your area.
The easiest way to find out how much photographers charge in your area is to begin your search with Family photographers near me in a search engine bar like Google or Bing. This will generate the local photographers and their websites in your area. Once you have found a “family photographer near me” begin looking through the websites for prices and products.
Understanding the photographers' prices can be broken down into knowing if they charge a session fee and the types of packages they offer. Additionally, some photographers offer a la carte prices.
Is a Session fee included in photography packages?
Typically a session fee is not included in photo packages. A session fee is what the photographer charges to come out and take the photos. This is standard practice amongst family portrait photographers. The session fee is in addition to the packages you purchase. An example of a package might include 15 digital files and 3 8x10 prints.
Some photographers only sell digital files, while others won't sell digitals at all. Asking the photographer if they do custom packages could save you money.
Research Potential Photographer's Portfolio And Services
Start your search by looking at various photographers’ portfolios and reading reviews of their services. Look for portfolio photos that exhibit their style, and read the comments to get an idea of how other customers felt about their experience.

Make sure that the photographer can offer packages that suit your needs, as well as poses and locations that you are looking for. Pay attention to key elements such as lighting, composition, and quality of photos to make sure they can provide what you need.
Additionally, make sure to ask what the photographer's turn-around time is like. You don't want to have to wait a few weeks or even months before you receive the final product.
Lastly, consider the cost and whether or not any additional fees are included in their services. Many photographers offer digital photos as well as printed ones, so make sure you know what's included in each package before making your final decision.
Know Your Family Portrait Style
Discuss the style you desire with a potential family pictures photographer
If you like the family portfolio but you are looking for a different style, be sure to discuss if the photographer offers these types of photos. Popular styles include natural, formal, candid, posed, soft and airy, and bright and vibrant.
Consider what photography styles are timeless vs. current trends
It’s important to ask yourself these questions before hiring a family photographer so that you know their style incorporates the features you desire. Look through their portfolio so that you can judge for yourself whether the photographer’s artistry will match your expectations for how the special occasion should be captured.
- Do they capture candid moments or do they focus more on posed shots?
- Do they take indoor or outdoor photos only?
- Are you looking for a timeless look or one that is more trend-driven?
- Do your photos have bright colors and natural lighting or are they more vintage-inspired with muted tones and dramatic touches?
After you have narrowed down the list of photographers, be sure to look through their portfolios and decide if their style is a good fit for you and your family.
What Other Services Does The Photographer Offer
Does the family portrait photographer offer complimentary planning?
If you are a busy parent (who isn't) and coordinating outfits stress you out or seem overwhelming it will be important to seek advice from the photographer. If they can't offer any sound advice on what to wear this could be a red flag. On the other hand, if you have the outfit planning down this shouldn't be a deal breaker. One benefit of hiring a photographer who can offer great wardrobe advice is they will be able to guide you through what looks great in portraits and what can be distracting or unflattering.
Below is a list of other complimentary services a photographer might offer:
- Wardrobe advice
- Outfit planning tools
- Location guide and planning
- Best time of day to take photos
- Tide forecast (beach sessions)
- Custom wall art designs
- Planning meeting
What Products Are Offered
Do the products the family photographers you have selected, offer the products you want?
Does the photographer fit within your budget, including the session fee, digital files, and prints? Knowing what you want to walk away with from the family session will help determine if the products offered are right for you. Looking for ideas on wall art? See how you can design your own photo collage wall.
Do you want:
- Wall art
- Framed prints
- Digital files
- Photo albums
BOTTOM LINE
Knowing how to choose the right family photographer becomes less overwhelming when you know how to find one for your family.
Choosing a family photographer doesn't have to be complicated! Follow these simple tips on choosing the best candidate for your special memories.
- Understand the session fee and packages the photographer offers
- Scroll through a few different family photography portfolios on their website
- Does your style aline with the photographer
- Does the photographer offer the types of products you want
- What other services do they offer to make your family session a success
- Can they offer wardrobe and location advice
When you find the right family photographer the next step is to reach out to them and schedule your photoshoot. Be sure to look at their reviews on Google and Yelp. Take this opportunity to ask questions that you have.
Knowing what type of experience you want from family photographers will help with your decision.
Once you have selected and narrowed down your choices for the family photographers the next step is to see if all your boxes are checked including if the photographer you hire works well with kids, infants, toddlers, and teenagers.
FAQs
What makes a good family photographer?
A good photographer should have extensive knowledge and technical skills, (too boring to go into).
In addition to their technical ability they need:
Patience
Sense of humor
Good communication skills
Friendly
Knowledge on how to pose, facial expression coaching, direction, and getting people to smile, laugh, and get genuine interactions out of the family.
How much should you spend on family photography?
You can expect to spend between 300-1500 for family photography. This really depends on what you want from the session. In the end, your portrait session becomes priceless, with the memories and photos you walk away with.
How long does it take to photograph a family?
Most family sessions last an hour. Although, they can be much shorter than that. The time it takes to capture beautiful photos will depend on the size of the group, and the age of the participants. Adults with older children typically don't take as long as families with very young kids.
What style are your photos?
Our style of family photography includes candid, lifestyle, and traditional photography.
What makes a great family photo?
The best family photos show:
- Personality
- Love
- Connection
Creating a fun and relaxed experience is key to getting great photos. This can be done most easily with our candid style of photography. However, if you prefer a more traditional style we can do that as well.
How long should a family photo session be?
The length of a family photo session is typically between 30-60 minutes. This depends on the size of the group and the ages of the family members. Sometimes it takes younger children some time to warm up to the photographer.
A good photographer will be patient and willing to take more photos not purely based on time. A mini-session is typically 10 -15 minutes at one location chosen by the photographer and is very time sensitive.
Do you do candid family portraits?
YES! Candid photos also known as lifestyle family portrait sessions take a different approach to creating your family photos. The goal is to capture more natural images that show how your family connects and interacts. A candid session is guaranteed to make some memories.
Can you do traditional style family portraits?
YES! Our Traditional style family portraits will feature more images of you looking directly at the camera. Think cheese, but not cheesy.
Our goal is to make beautiful well-lit photos with a spontaneous feel.
The traditional style is a more structured photography session. We could shoot in a park, field, downtown, or at the beach. We even shoot in a studio if you like an editorial look.
Can you photograph us in a studio, or outside?
Yes! We are masters in-studio or outdoor locations. If you're interested in studio photography, we need a few days' notice to arrange your studio time slot.
What planning questions am I missing?
- What do I need the photos for? (holiday cards, print over my fireplace, gifts)
- Are my family photos outdated, Is it time for updating?
- Is there a new member of my family that needs to be photographed?
- Am I looking for a casual or formal look?
- What season do I prefer?
What is the best time of day to take family photos?
The best time of day to take family photos is early in the morning or late afternoon 30-40 minutes before sunset. These times work best because when the sun is up midday the light is the harshest and does not work well for portraits.
However, there are exceptions, if the photographer uses panels that diffuse the light outdoors midday might very well work. One other thing to consider is the location. If the area you choose is full of shade the time can be more flexible, if you desire a location at the beach the tide also has to be taken into consideration.
If you are specifically looking for the golden light you will need to plan according to the sunset.
Meet Christopher Todd: Your Orange County Photographer
Hi, I’m Christopher Todd! I launched
Christopher Todd Studios back in 2000, but my love for photography started long before that.
Born and raised in Orange County, I’ve spent my life exploring this beautiful area. From surfing in Huntington Beach to discovering the best photo spots across the OC. Over the past
25 years as a professional photographer, I’ve continued to learn, grow, and refine my craft.