How I Get Natural, Un-Posed Family Photos (My Favourite Prompts)
If you've ever Googled "how to get natural family photos" or "un-posed family photographer near me," you already know the stiff, frozen look isn't what most families actually want. You want the chaos, the giggles, the real stuff. The kind of photos that actually feel like your family.
Every time I see photos of my teenage years where we were all posed and frozen while someone yelled "cheese," it makes me cringe. That's exactly why during our photoshoot, I'm not going to tell you to pose. I'm not going to tell you to smile at the camera. Instead, I'm going to use prompts and little directions so you and your kids can have fun and end up with photos that actually look like you.
I've been photographing families across Montreal, Laval, the South Shore, the West Island, and the South Shore, and these are the prompts that never fail me.
The tickle prompt
"I think mom and dad need some tickle time." That's all it takes. The second those words leave my mouth, the kids light up because suddenly they're the ones in charge of making the grown-ups squirm. Chaos, giggles, and the most genuinely joyful expressions you've ever seen. Every single time. Another good version of this is asking the parents to tickle the kids, they all love this!
The race prompt
"Who can run the fastest toward me?" I send the parents to the back and line the kids up with them. Then I ask who's the fastest. They take off, parents are laughing and cheering behind them, and I'm clicking away while they come flying at me with the biggest grins. It's one of my all-time favourites because literally no one can fake that kind of energy. It also works if I ask them to run around their parents or to just… run! Kids love running, don’t they?
The dance party prompt
"Okay, who wants to have a dance party?" Some of my favourite family memories are spontaneous kitchen dance parties with my husband and my kids, so why wouldn't I bring that energy to a session? I’ll just ask that question and start snapping. Nobody's thinking about the camera. Everybody's just having a moment together. Pure gold.
The hug prompt
"Can you give them the biggest hug?" Simple, sweet, and it works every time. Whether I ask the parents to scoop up their kids or ask the little ones if they want to cuddle in, it naturally brings everyone close without it ever looking like a posed embrace. Just real warmth.
The jumping on the bed prompt
I always ask parents if the kids can jump on the bed, or even better, if they can all jump on the bed together. There's something about parents acting like kids that just breaks everything wide open. Everyone's laughing, everyone's fully present, and the connection you see in those photos is so real. It also happens to make for some of the most joyful frames of the whole session.
The slow down prompt
This one is especially close to my heart when babies or toddlers are involved. I'll whisper to mom or dad to just slow down for a second, to really notice how small those hands are, how tiny those feet still are, how fast it's all going. You can see it shift something in them the moment they really let it land. That's the shot right there.
And in between all of these prompts? I'm mostly just watching. Observing how you talk to each other, how you play, how you reach for each other without even thinking about it. My job isn't to manufacture your family. It's to document it, honestly and as real as possible.
That's the whole point.
Frequently asked questions about natural family photography
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Prompts invite genuine reactions rather than manufactured expressions. When a child is racing toward the camera or tickling their parents, nobody is thinking about what their face looks like, and that's exactly when the magic happens. Posed photos can feel stiff and forgettable. Prompted photos feel like a memory.
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Honestly? You don't have to do much. Wear something comfortable, pick a time of day when your kids are usually in a good mood, and let me handle the rest. The prompts do the work. Your only job is to show up and have fun. If you have any more doubts you can read my blog regarding preparing for your family photoshoot.
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It starts with a photographer who isn't hovering over you with a camera demanding smiles. When families are given permission to just play, move, and be themselves, the photos follow naturally. That's the entire philosophy behind how I shoot.
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I'll always make sure you have a few beautiful, classic frames where everyone looks great together (you know, the photo for grandma). But they won't feel stiff, I promise. Even my "posed" moments are really just a calm version of everything else we've been doing together.
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I photograph families throughout the greater Montreal area, including Laval, Longueuil, Brossard, Saint-Lambert, Greenfield Park, the West Island, Hudson, and the Laurentians. In-home sessions, backyard sessions, parks, and urban locations are all on the table.
If you're looking for a family photographer in Montreal, Laval, Longueuil, Brossard, the South Shore, the West Island, or the Laurentians who won't make you stand in a straight line and say cheese, I'd love to meet your family. [Book your session here.]
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