Posing for Authentic Family Photos |  Cypress TX Family Photographer

November 18, 2024

As a Cypress, TX photographer who photographs families of all shapes & sizes near Bridgeland  Community, I can understand how posing can seem intimidating.  But here’s the good news– it doesn’t have to be!  I have a few strategies up my sleeve for guiding you and your family that make a big difference in the outcome.

Creating Levels in Family Photos

Families aren’t cookie cutter, and neither are their heights.  That’s a good thing! Whether my clients are seated on a couch in a studio near Cypress or standing under the shade of a tree in Oak Meadow Park, I aim for variety.  I like to vary the head height levels to create interest in the photo while making sure everyone feels connected and included. Kids are great for this because they can range in height from toddlers to teens that are rivaling dad in height. For seated poses, I like to place everyone on different levels.  Similarly, for standing poses we can vary the placement of each family member so that the end result doesn’t look like an elementary school class photo. Similarly, when one kiddo is noticeably shorter, having mom or dad hold them can balance out height levels and keep the whole group feeling connected.

Showing Connection in Your Cypress, TX Family Photos

When it comes to your Bridgeland Community family session, your family is the focal point.  That means sometimes I need to switch up my pose prompts to bring out your style of connection since that looks different from one family to the next.  If it’s forced, it’s going to look & feel awkward, and who wants that?  Instead, I tailor it to your kids.  Babies are fairly simple with snuggles.  Toddlers thrive on play, which is why I’ll always be a fan of play-friendly locations like Tree House Park. Bigger kids can be a bit more tricky, but I can get creative. (No worries there, it’s not my first rodeo.) Even a simple touch of hands or a shared look can create a great sense of connection.  At the end of the day, that’s what these photos are all about!

Achieving Variety Using Angles for Family Portraits


After years of photographing families in Bridgeland Community and surrounding Cypress areas, I’ve learned a thing or two about minimizing repositioning.  No one wants to be posed over & over again, so instead, I switch up my angles.  Rather than moving your family, I move with my camera.  By doing a close up of one child, I can achieve a timeless , intimate portrait. Then, I can move out to capture the whole scene unfolding to create a more candid shot. With just a few angle changes on my end, we can easily switch up the scenes (and the vibe.)

My Favorite Poses for Cypress Family Photos

I love combining all of the approaches to create family photos that feel genuine.  Especially with families of four, I have a few go-to poses that never disappoint!  For example, no mother has ever disliked a photo of her kiddos hugging. It’s for that reason that I try to squeeze in some shots of kids hugging around their parents’ necks to give a more candid feel.  I also like to switch between “talk to who you’re holding” and “talk to who you’re NOT holding” to create cross-connections and a cohesive look.  Last but not least, holding kids on laps is a classic that demonstrates closeness and always makes the cut!  They don’t stay that size forever, and herein lies the importance of family photos.

Cypress, TX Family Photographer

Hey, I’m Melanie B of Mel B Photo. I specialize in capturing every season of life for Tomball, Cypress, and Spring families in Houston, TX.  From the early newborn days to family photos when your crew grows, I’m here to photograph every beautiful chapter. Ready to invest in a stress-free experience and emotion-packed, authentic images to remember every detail of this stage of life?  Check out my family packages here and don’t forget to follow along on Pinterest for tips & inspiration!  Want to book your session or have more questions? Contact me here. Let’s create memories together!

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