“But We’re So Awkward in Pictures!” — Good News: You Don’t Have to Know What to Do

“But We’re So Awkward in Pictures!” — Good News: You Don’t Have to Know What to Do 😆📸

You are definitely not the only family who feels this way

Want to know something I hear all the time before a family session?

“We are SO awkward in pictures.”

Or...

“My husband hates taking pictures.”

“My kids won't stand still.”

“We have no idea how to pose.”

Perfect.

Because I don't expect you to.

You aren't supposed to arrive at your family session knowing exactly where to put your hands, how to stand, or what to do next.

That's my job!

We're not going to spend the whole session saying “CHEESE!”

Of course we'll capture that classic family portrait where everyone is looking at the camera.

Grandma needs that one. 😉

But after that, I want you interacting with each other.

I may ask you to:

• walk together• snuggle your kids• look at each other• make someone laugh• whisper something silly• play with your little ones• simply hang out together

These little prompts create movement and interaction—and that's often when the magic happens.

Your kids don't need to behave perfectly

Parents, this one is important.

Please don't spend your entire session worrying about whether your children are cooperating.

Kids are kids.

They might run.

They might make ridiculous faces.

They might suddenly decide they don't want anything to do with pictures.

That's okay.

Sometimes the moments that feel a little chaotic while they're happening become the images you love most.

Let me worry about the pictures

One of the best things you can do during your session is simply stay engaged with your family.

If your child isn't looking at the camera, you don't need to keep saying:

“Look at her!”

“Smile!”

“Stand still!”

“Stop doing that!”

Instead, keep smiling. Keep interacting. Let me work with them.

If everyone else is ready and happy when your little one finally gives me that half-second glance, I've got it.

What about the person who HATES photos?

Every family seems to have one. 😂

The good news is that a family session doesn't have to feel like 45 minutes of stiff posing.

When we're walking, talking, laughing, and moving, there's much less time to stand there wondering what you're supposed to do with your hands.

And before you know it, we're done.

You don't need to be photogenic

I don't believe there are “photogenic families” and “non-photogenic families.”

You just need to show up.

I'll guide you through the rest.

The goal isn't to make your family look like someone else's family.

It's to create beautiful images that still feel unmistakably like yours.

📍 Serving Albuquerque & Rio Rancho, but happy to travel!

📸 Bella Vida Photography — Your life… captured beautifully.