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Few things can preserve precious memories of your loved ones quite like a family photo can. All generations of the family may want to revisit moments when the older children were still just babies, or see how much a set of siblings has grown over the years. One look at a photograph can transport the viewer into the past and help them see the present and the future in a new light.
Nowadays, there are several ongoing trends to make typical family photos more exciting and interactive. Some families are opting to make a photo series of their children growing up to record the changes over the years, while some are trying their hand at recreating old childhood photos in the present time as adults.
If you want to produce a set of photos that you and your loved ones will enjoy looking at, here are some tips for creating an awesome “through the years” photo series:
1) Decide on the Theme
Of course you can simply take the photos as they are, but deciding on a theme beforehand not only makes the end result much more satisfying to look at—it also makes it easier to take the photos knowing there’s a pattern you can all follow. “Through the years” is already a theme in itself, but you can still personalise that general theme even further.
For example, why not take photos of your children at every birthday party they have through the years? A simple, time-bound, and easy-to-follow theme like this one can reveal a lot not just about the celebrants, but what their interests were like and how they loved to spend time with their families at different points in their lives.
You can also opt to invest in family photos taken in professional studios to gain access to settings or props that you wouldn’t have at home. A quick online search for photography studios London residents and photographers also use can give you tons of options to choose from, allowing you to book a studio that fits your budget and suits the theme you have in mind. You can make this the start of a tradition of taking studio photos for significant milestones—a family portrait every five years, for example, or a family portrait every time one of the nuclear family members gets married.
2) Have the Right Equipment Ready
The right equipment can do a lot to ensure that your through-the-years photos come out in good quality, with little hassle on your part. For instance, if your photo series requires all members of the family to be in it, then you’ll at least need equipment like a tripod and a remote trigger at the ready. All of you will want to be comfortably settled in the shot instead of having one family member make a run for it as the timer counts down. In the same vein, a tripod would result in a more stable positioning of the camera and sharper photos overall. Having a tripod is even more necessary if you’re shooting the photos outdoors, considering how there aren’t always reliable flat surfaces to set your camera on.
If you don’t have the equipment, there’s no harm in renting some or hiring a photographer with good gear to do the job for you. Think of it as an investment to ensure your timeless through-the-years family photos come out looking great.
3) Make Sure Everyone Feels Comfortable during the Shoot
Stiff or uncomfortable in a photo are sure to result in an awkward shot, which you certainly don’t want. As such, if you’re the one taking the photo, make sure that everyone involved feels comfortable and at ease.
This could mean, among other things, confirming that they’re fine with the theme of your photo series and that they’re all right with the location or what they’re wearing. The more at ease everyone is, the better the photos will be, given that everyone can focus on simply looking their best.
4) Focus on Facial Expressions
Related to the previous point, a relaxed vibe during your through-the-years photoshoot can bring out better facial expressions and more candid emotions among family members. Find ways to capture more genuine expressions rather than making family members just look straight at the camera with a forced smile.
In a through-the-years photo series, the most easily noticeable aspects are how much each subject has grown and how their face has become more mature over the years. Authentic and even candid expressions can depict the magic of this transformation better and be a joy to revisit in the future.
5) Don’t Take Too Long with the Shoot
Last but not least, make sure that the photo-taking session won’t drag on too long. Having to pose for long hours is a big ask, especially for big families with young children and senior citizens. It may not be long before people feel uncomfortable and unnatural.
Keep in mind that even if you want everything to look perfect, at the end of the day, the purpose of the photo series is to show how much each family member has grown. It would only sour the experience if all they can remember when they look at the photos years after will be how long and tiresome the photoshoot session was.
Above all, a through-the-years series is supposed to capture a particular time in your lives, along with the good memories that came with them. Focus on smiles, laughter, playful expressions, and individual stories that have shaped the family’s collective journey.
