Getting ready for a family photo shoot? Then start looking up outdoor family photo tips if you love yourself and your family enough.

Why? Because the photos you take will either bring you great joy or immense embarrassment in the future. And no one wants their ugly family photos sitting on the mantle for a very long time, or worse, having them go viral on the internet like these awkward family photos.

WIth nature as your backdrop, you can capture precious memories of the family without having to hire a professional photographer.

Want to know how to shoot family portraits outdoors? Here are 5 tips on how to take outdoor family portraits that will blow everyone away.

Find the best lighting

One of the most important tips for shooting family portraits is to always choose the best lighting for your scenario. And there’s no better or cheaper source of light out there than good old natural sunlight.

While you can let your creativity run wild when taking family photos outside, the sun’s rays can cause unflattering shadows.

You need to be careful where you place your subject because shooting against the light will make them look darker than they really are. Unless you’re trying to get a silhouette shot, this technique should be better left to the experts.

For foolproof portrait lighting, always try to shoot during a couple of hours before the sun rises and the other couple of hours before the sun sets.

These windows are called the golden hour, or the time of day when the sunlight is most flattering for portrait photos. You also get softer shadows at this time.

Wear coordinates

One of the most popular outdoor family tips that you’ll see in action a lot is to wear matching outfits. On the risk of sounding cheesy, the family that dresses the same way together stays together.

Of course, there are ways to tell the whole world that you all belong to the same family other than wearing the same shirt.

If you want to look stylish without looking like you play for a family band, you can try wearing outfits that express your personal style in matching colors. This way, when your preppy brother poses with your athletic sister, your family photo will still look put together.

You can also dress according to a theme that everyone is comfortable with. These days, more and more families are dressing up like their favorite TV show or movie characters for their family photos and making great memories from it.

Get creative with your poses

Ever noticed that most family photos are taken with the whole family either sitting or standing? And while these poses are pretty standard, they don’t do much for the viewers.

The trick to getting a more dynamic image is to force their sight to scan across the picture because there’s a sense of variety.

Try experimenting with some family members sitting and standing then ask each one to do the pose that they’re most confident about. Not only will you get a more dynamic photo, but the different poses will also show each person’s personality.

Let loose and have fun

Of all the tips for taking a good family photo, this one is probably the easiest. If posing isn’t your thing, you can always take the more casual approach. And that is to unleash their inner child and have fun with the shoot.

Tell your family members to feel free to dance, jump, run, play fight, or even give each other piggybacks during the shoot. Letting them move around as they please will give you candid shots. Just remember to shoot in freeze action to avoid getting blurred pictures.

Use makeup the right way

When shooting family portraits outside, makeup is not just an option. It’s a necessity.

Since outdoor lighting can be harsh on skin imperfections, using makeup can help you look and feel your best. After all, no one wants to be photographed looking all frumpy.

While most photographers will often suggest you hire a professional makeup for your photo shoot, you can always DIY your makeup if you don’t have the budget for it.

One way you can look fab without spending a fortune is to try out different free makeup samples, which you can get online or at your favorite makeup counter.

To help you get ready for the big photo shoot, here are a few tips on how you can create a natural look on your own.

• Always start with a clean and well-moisturized canvas. Remember, the healthier your skin, the less makeup you’ll need.
• Turn towards natural light while doing your makeup. This ensures an even and natural look.
• Using the best primer you can afford can make all the difference. Applying primer before foundation will help all the makeup products you apply after last longer.

Taking a family portrait is one tradition that every family should have. It doesn’t matter if you’re a small family of 3 or a growing brood of 27, you all deserve a family portrait that you can be proud of.