The Emotional Power of Seeing Your Family Through Someone Else’s Lens

I spend a lot of time taking photos of my own family – especially my kids when they’re playing and doing kid things. But there’s something really freeing about letting someone else take the time to notice and to capture those moments. It allows me to just be and to insert myself into the fun as well.

When you hire a photographer for your family photos, you will get beautiful images, yes. But, the hidden bonus perk that you may be overlooking is the fact that you will also experience connection, perspective and a chance to rediscover your people.

How an outside perspective made our family photo session magical

It’s time to get out from behind your phone camera and get in front of the camera for some memories with your family. As someone who is constantly behind the camera, taking photos for families in Malibu, Camarillo, Ventura and Ojai, let me shed some light on what having my own family photo sessions has revealed to me.

What you feel is different from what your photographer sees

As a Malibu family photographer, I say this to my clients all the time, but I also have experienced it as the one being photographed: it may feel chaotic but it looks fun and beautiful. A professional photographer can see the magic in the moments: the small, everyday things that add emotion to your images such as hand holding, hugs, and the way your kids look up at you.

Like most parents, I spend a good amount of time before our photo sessions making sure all of our outfits are chosen, hair is brushed, food is off faces, etc. I’m going to be brutally honest: going into a family photo session with the mental load fresh on your mind can make it feel like it’s more work than it’s worth. But if you’re working with a professional who knows what’s up, by the end of the session you will hopefully feel lighter and more connected to your family than ever.

An outside perspective with an artistic eye is not focused on what parents are focused on in the moment. Your photographer will capture your feelings of love, connection and personality. And the joy of your photo session will extend beyond the actual session once you receive your images and see the happiness on your family’s faces.

It’s fun you don’t have to manage

If you are able to approach your family’s photo session with a go-with-the-flow attitude and a willingness to capture real life beauty, you will have an infinitely better experience than if you go into your session with unrealistic expectations of poses your toddlers may not be interested in.

I have found that in the family photo sessions I capture and in the ones I’ve had done for my family, the less pressure you put on your kids to perform, the better the outcome will be. Remind your family that this is a fun time to be together. A good photographer, especially one who has worked with younger children, will set the tone and help create a relaxed, playful and present photo experience. Some examples of family-friendly prompts for candid photos can be found on Click Magazine’s blog, linked here.

Being able to just be in the moment and not have to manage the moment is a gift you give yourself when you book someone else to do your family photos. And honestly, kids sometimes are more likely to behave when interacting with someone new.

Let yourself be seen

If you’ve been on the fence about booking a family photo session, let this be your sign to step into the frame with your family and allow your photographer to show you just how much love there is between you all. You might not notice it in the every day hustle and bustle of life, but you’ll be so glad you took the time to see it now. Get in touch here if you’d like to set up your session!

The Emotional Power of Seeing Yourself Through Someone Else’s Lens

Erica Hurlburt is an award winning Ventura County Photographer who specializes in newborn, family and school photography. Her style tends toward cleaner, classic images, both in how they’re composed and edited. Her goal in every session is to keep things relaxed and fun and to create images that are both meaningful and unique.

Erica serves clients in Camarillo, Ventura County, Newbury Park, Thousand Oaks, Westlake,
Malibu, Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, Ojai and beyond.