What Type of Family Portrait Fits you Best?

Fairport NY Family Pictures

You sit down and google “family pictures in Rochester NY.” 

The results come back with a list filled with different descriptions by different family picture photographers. Do you want family portraiture? Candid family pictures? Documentary photography? What is a lifestyle family portrait?

You get so overwhelmed by this decision that you give up your search for a family photographer, again. 

So how do you know what style of family pictures you like best?

We can help you out here. Most photographers will describe themselves using at least one of three main family portrait styles:

 Traditional Family Pictures:

This is essentially an all encompassing title for a photographer who takes family pictures. But there’s a little bit more to it. 

A traditionally trained portrait photographer often focuses their efforts on quality posing and controlled lighting in their family portraits. This often happens in a studio setting with lights, backdrops and perhaps props or sets. However, not every traditional or fine art family photographer uses a studio. 

Oftentimes an extended family portrait falls into this style of family photography. The resulting images tend to focus on the family smiling and looking at the camera.

This may be the simplest category to explain, but it is often one of the hardest to master.

A posed, smiley family portrait is considered most traditional.

Candid Family Portraits in Rochester NY:

If you’re looking for the opposite, or real, authentic, unposed images, then you are looking for a documentary family photographer. Strict photographers in this realm won’t add any light to a scene, but rather evaluate what is available and use it to show emotion. These sessions are usually longer and allow for the most freedom of movement. They can surround an event, or just capture a “day in the life” at home. This is a newer, but growing genre of family portrait photography.

Real life, real play and letting moments unfold are what the documentary side of our membership is all about.

Lifestyle Family Portraits in Rochester NY:

If you want something in between the two, then perhaps you’d best enjoy a lifestyle family portrait session. Lifestyle photographers enjoy a bit more freedom in their sessions. They’ll often choose the location and general position of a group, but then they give they family a little freedom to play using prompts.

This allows for natural moments to occur, such as laughter, hugs, and play, while still controlling the situation in terms of light and background.

Typically lifestyle family pictures are taken in a natural environment (whether inside or outside) rather than a studio. This type of photographer may opt to use lighting, or not!

Lifestyle family portraits are the best way to describe our Signature Family Sessions.

We gave her the location and gave her some ideas - she created the lifestyle portrait.

And Then There’s Us: Lori & Erin Photography

When you love all three options, and you just have to have all of the above - you join our family. Our candid mini session events are part of a membership that essentially uses all three of these family portrait styles. How, you ask?

We plan a variety of fun events, at the perfect times for your family. Then we photograph them. It’s that simple.

We do our best to plan these events to optimize the lighting and space while you come and enjoy a real life event, in a real world setting.

Sometimes we step in and interact with your family to get a posed portrait. Other times we give you a prompt for a something that feels more like lifestyle family pictures.

Sometimes the events are specifically planned to create a more posed portrait, such as our Pandemic Portrait themed event.

In the end, we give all of these family moments back to you. Consider us your personal, “all in one’ shop for family photography in Rochester NY.

So if you can’t figure out which category a photographer falls into by peeping their portfolio, just ask them. They should be happy to give you a better idea of who they are and how they photograph a family portrait.

Find out why our membership makes sense for your family here.

If you’re ready to learn more about the Lori & Erin Family, we can’t wait to welcome you.

Family Pictures through the Years: Fairport NY Family Portraits

Over the years, we’ve photographed a lot of family pictures in Rochester. We’ve captured hundreds of photographs of growing families, some of which began as amazing wedding couples.

We’ve literally captured the changing seasons of a family’s life together. From wedding, to first child, to second and on and on. And we photograph them so regularly, they feel like actual family to us. I know what activities they enjoy, and more often than not, I know what’s going to evoke a real childlike laugh from them. I not only know the names of their children, but the name of their child’s favorite stuffed elephant.

I know these things, because for the past five years, we’ve been photographing these particular families on a nearly monthly basis through our portrait membership program.

I know what you’re thinking - whhhhoooaaa, monthly portrait sessions? You crazy?

Well, yes, I am a little crazy - but that’s not what we’re doing here. If you want a photographer that takes the time to get to know your family, and a photographic experience that’s more than poses.

Our portrait membership is what I’m talking about, and if you haven’t yet heard of it - here’s a recap of years of candid, real life moments from one family that has been along for the ride from the start.

If you’re curious, please ask questions - because we want to make it as easy to understand as “E for elephant.”

Spring Family Pictures in Rochester NY

Does it feel like just yesterday it was spring? I mean…those flowering trees, right?

I miss those trees at Highland Park so much right now. That and the cooler spring days, now that summer is full on here with all of it’s humidity in tow. But that’s ok, because I have this adorable family’s portrait session in Rochester to remind me of spring and all it’s amazingness.

Playing guitar in the magnolias, running down the paths, flying in Daddy’s arms - all beautiful moments in the beautiful backdrop that Rochester NY has to offer.

Summer has some pretty gorgeous things to offer too, so if you’re looking to update your walls with family pictures - we’re here for you. Enjoy this glimpse into a gorgeous family portrait session at Highland Park!