Jen Hrycyk from Jen CYK Photography is known for beautiful emotion-capturing photos, and today we have a special treat for you! Jen is here to share great tips for a family photo session + images from an Anthropologie Style Tea Party Photo Shoot. Take it away, Jen!

“I have a hunch that a lot of you lovely readers out there have had a professional photo session. You’re reading this amazing blog, so we know you have impeccable taste. And this happens to be a visually beautiful place, so we know you care about fantastic pictures. So with summer here, gorgeous sunsets, and and lots of bright colors in style, odds are you may be thinking about a family photo shoot of your own.

Here is a fantastic example of an Anthropologie inspired photo shoot. The amazing thing about it, is that everything from this shoot was collected from the family’s home.

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TIPS FOR A DIY FAMILY PHOTO SESSION

by Jen Hrycyk

I have to giggle when I think of how “professional photo sessions” have changed. My version of a professional shoot growing up, was marching down to Olan Mills, and smiling pretty in front of a simple background. Now don’t get me wrong, I have no problems with Olan Mills, or studio photo shoots. But with so many creative photographers out there, the possibilities are endless!

SESSION PROPS

– A large, fun blanket
– Throw pillows from throughout the house
– Monogrammed mugs from Anthropologie
– A bright suitcase (garage sale find)
– Lots of play jewelry
– Breakfast serving tray
– Toy tea set
– Melamine plates
– Old dining room chair
– Bonus… lemons from the trees surrounding us

SETTING UP

When we arrived at our location, we spent ten minutes setting up a tea party in the middle of the citrus groves. The great thing about these ideas, is there’s no right or wrong answer as to how it’s done. Your items can be placed anyway, anywhere, symmetrical, scattered, or however you please! We even grabbed lemons that had fallen from the trees, and rolled them around us.

HAVE FUN!

These pictures turned out fun and natural, because it allowed the family to play together. Instead of posing for pictures, we told them to have a tea party, and they gladly obliged.

While this family’s style happens to be Anthropologie inspired, yours doesn’t have to be. Take what you have from home, and bring it on location! This shoot tells a lovely story about this family. They brought their home into the outdoors, and you can do the same!

Grab whatever you have. Things that your kids love, that makes them smile, that they play with daily. Bring along games you play as a family. Bring along books you read together. Bring along picture frames that hold some special pictures. The list goes on and on!

Most importantly, have fun as a family! These photo shoots should be about creating a day of memories together, and there just so happens to be a photographer there to document it. If you follow these simple steps, I promise that not only will you have a beautiful images, but also a reminder of a glorious day together as a family!”

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Thanks for sharing Jen!