Capturing Moments Through Family Photography
During the early years of professional photography, the real value of family photography was often disregarded. Back then, photographers don’t know how to motivate their family subjects during portrait sessions, while the family on the other hand does not feel any desire to participate. It can be observed that most if not all family stills from centuries ago were usually stiff images wherein the subjects are idly sitting on chairs without showing unnecessary movements, snapped under limited lighting with large format cameras and slow film. The resulting photos are too formal and stiff, that they lack emotional value and appeal.
It should be taken into account that just like storytelling, photos are strong indication of the ties of each family member, but more often than not past family photography failed to show this. However, with the improvements in technology, changes in photographing behaviors have also become apparent. As more people get a hold of cameras and become familiar with its technicalities, the process of photography has also become less intimidating, thereby changing the content of family photos. In short, family members become accustomed to being photographed.
Modern family photography has strayed from the stiff and formal effects of past photos that were often shoot inside boring studios. Currently, more and more family groups like to have their family portraits taken at locations that holds special memories for them. It can be inside their bedrooms, at their favorite vacation area, or together with their prized possessions, which truly resonate their indebtedness to family time. Nonetheless, while subjects of early photos were often posed and required to look straight at the camera, modern snapshots permit the family to engage in an ongoing activity, not necessarily staring at the camera.
Actually, there are three principal reasons why parents often commission a family portraiture: for pride, documentation of family growth and most importantly to remember things not only the faces but especially and laughter and fun during the moment. Photographing children, for instance, has become so common because for parents capturing their little ones during their early years is a priceless reminder of a time that will never be returned again. The portraits of children in the family are more than just historical documentations of their growth, but they also become universal commemorative pieces that encompass the kids’ innocence that will be gone once they grow up.
The same perspective is also applicable with teen photos often commissioned during high school graduation, which is a key changing time for the whole family since it is a commemoration of a child’s academic accomplishments and maturity, and at the same time the realization for parents how they are about to let go of their children to explore other parts of themselves without their guidance. From that point on, family gatherings become less frequent, so the time spent together during family occasions become more special. Regardless if the occasion is a wedding, anniversary or christening, the fact that the family is whole again is already enough reason to capture the moments that may not happen again for a long period. Family photos frame-capture the most important events and parts in our lives that serves as our daily reminders of why we work, love and live.
Today, family portraiture, regardless if they are teen photos, children photos or parent photos, is more than just capturing the aesthetics of each family member. It is a means to capture the heart and sole of the family. Subjects should be able to both look or never look at the camera and still be able to express their real emotions through their eyes and actions. Succinctly, family photos greatly detail how a family perceives the world.
Modern family photography could best encompass a family story as it captures a mini-slice of occurrence in one’s family life that is often fun to commemorate when the family gathers. For all practical purposes, family portraits serve as informal photo essays similar to teen photos and when photographing children. Family portraiture is a good means to remember not just the moment when the photos were taken but also the laughter and fun that took place when the portrait was snapped.
- frederick talactac



