When the weather outside is less than ideal (I’m writing this as 40mph winds rage outside and the rain is lashing against the windows) many parents are inclined to delay their family photoshoot and wait until spring/summer/better weather.
While I absolutely love being outside and capturing family fun in the great outdoors, what I don’t love is waiting until later to capture precious memories of your children growing up. We all know sometimes you wait to do something until better time, and then realise the year has gone by! And I don’t need to tell you that the kids change in a blink of an eye, so don’t let the bad weather stop you from booking a photoshoot to document this stage in your lives.
There’s no better time than right now. So here are my top 6 family photoshoot ideas to try at home, whatever the weather.
Read Together
There’s nothing better than reading a book together as a family.
I absolutely love the connection I have with my son when reading a book together. For us it’s typically a bedtime activity, although I love it when I can convince him to look through a couple of Usborne lift-the-flap books
When I’m with my clients, reading is the one thing that pretty much everyone does at one point or another, whether it’s a short 2-3 hour photoshoot, or a Day in the Life, when I spend the whole day with you. Reading is a great way to get the energetic kids to slow down and stay in one place for longer than one minute, and a wonderful way to get the whole family together in the picture too.
It also gives me the opportunity to photograph lovely facial expressions of the kids, that really capture their character: quiet and engrossed in the book, or so taken by a story and all it’s twists and turns that it totally shows on their face.
Family Photos in Stockholm
A half Day in the Life photoshoot in Kent
Day in the Life with a Kensington Family
Bake Together
Baking is another wonderful family activity that many parents and children enjoy doing together (and one thing to remember here, please only include this as your photoshoot activity if that’s actually something you do with the kids – let’s not fake it!).
From making gingerbread cookies for Christmas, to learning an old family apple tart recipe with nana, to simply throwing together banana bread for lunch – everything goes. Your kids will be kids, and let them go crazy. Throwing flour all over the floor? Check. Bowl-licking? Check. It’s all fine and it makes for wonderful and memorable photographs that – I promise you! – you’ll cherish for years and years to come.
And if you want to try something new, why not try some new recipes from a lovely book by a client of mine, Kate: Homemade Memories: Childhood Treats With A Twist
An afternoon photoshoot with a North London family
Play a Game
Many families enjoy playing games together – whether it’s a round of Monopoly, a passionate turn at Hungry Hippos, dress up, make-believe, dancing around your living room or even a spot of Minecraft during a Day in the Life session, whatever floats your family’s boat, it’s all good.
Family Photos in Stockholm
Family Photos at Home in North London
A family photoshoot at home in Esher and at Esher Common
Run a Bath!
I looooove photographing bathtime! It’s always such special time for any family and perfect for when you have a baby or a toddler. Just remember your baby might feel really sleepy after bathtime, so plan it as the last activity of the photoshoot. Bathtime is also an integral part of any Day in the Life photoshoot, and by the evening even the older children are usually comfortable enough with me around to not mind me photographing it.
A morning baby photoshoot in Wapping
Day in the Life photoshoot with a Fulham family
A morning photoshoot with a Wimbledon family
Get Crafty
If you are a family that enjoys making things, then do that. Glue, knit, build, draw, paint and most importantly, don’t be afraid to get messy! The joy on your children’s faces and look of pride with their newest creations will be so worth it!
Family Photos in Stockholm
…or Don’t Do Anything Special
There’s no need to invent some special activity just for the photoshoot. Just get on with your day, and I’ll be able to see and capture the beauty of the everyday for you.
There’s just one rule here: be present and be engaged with your children. During my short 2-3 hour sessions I ask the parents to put away their devices and really concentrate on this precious family time together. Of course, during the Day in the Life experience there’s no such expectation. No one can be 100% engaged and switched on all day long. And you don’t need to; we are documenting your normal day so drop all pretences and the ideas of what at “perfect” day should look like, and just be.
A Day in the Life photoshoot with a Teddington Family
A family photoshoot in Islington, North London
An afternoon photoshoot in Raynes Park
A Day in the Life photoshoot in Fulham, London
I hope you enjoyed this round up of at home photoshoot ideas. What’s your favourite family activity for a rainy day? One of the ones I’ve listed above, or something else? Do share in the comments!
I’m Antonina Mamzenko – a family photographer based between London and Surrey. I specialise in creating candid, natural family photographs with zero cheese and no posing. I work all over London and Surrey, including Cobham, Esher, Thames Ditton, Richmond upon Thames, St Margarets, Twickenham, Teddington, Hampton, Kingston upon Thames, Surbiton, Kew, Chiswick, Putney, Fulham, Wimbledon, Holland Park, Kensington, St John’s Wood and Hampstead.