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Candid Family Photography: How to convince your husband it’s worth it

I’ve noticed it can often be Dads that are a bit camera shy, or just too darn busy, to want to take part in a professional family photoshoot.

Well, OK, they might want to, in theory, but when it comes down to it, they don’t really know how to. From worrying they’ll feel way out of their comfort zone, to worrying it’ll take too long, it can be hard to convince fathers that they are just as important to a family photoshoot as the kids.

Here’s my list of 7 things you can say to help convince husbands it really is worth it.

A dad carries his daughter during a family photography shoot

Free Family Photoshoot!
Dad cuddles baby as part of newborn photography session in Muswell Hill

“It’ll take too long, I don’t have the time for that.”

An objection I often hear from Dads is that a family photoshoot will take just too long. They’re busy, especially if it’s a weekday, and they can’t be expected to take hours off work to stand around in a photographer’s studio.

At Louisa Peacock Photography, with a family photoshoot, I often make sure that I capture the family shots – the ones involving ALL members of the family, including siblings and Dad, in the first 20 minutes. That way if Dad has to go, or wants to take the older kids away for a bit while I focus on more in-depth portraits of the newborn baby or younger siblings, than he can do.

So really, when push comes to shove, you’re only asking for 20 minutes of his time!

“I hate being in front of the camera.”

We can all be camera shy. That’s perfectly normal. But I tend to hear from Dads that they really don’t want to be the focus of attention, or, more likely, they just don’t realise how important they are to the overall look of the image.

What I say to reluctant fathers is: just think who you’re doing these photos for. Perhaps your wife has organised the photoshoot and you’ve talked about getting a nice portrait up on the walls. But you’re not just doing this for her! You’re really doing this for your kids.

When they grow up, they will love nothing more than to see that you took the time out of your day to show up, be present in the candid family photography images and show how much you care. Also, it gives them a sense of what life was like and what their parents were like when they were young.

Research has shown prominently displayed photos of kids on your own walls raises their self esteem. So do it for them!

Dad holds baby over his shoulder as part of a family photography session in a client's home.

______ FREE FAMILY PHOTOSHOOTS ______

This April 2021 I’m giving away TEN free family photoshoots outdoors, worth £145.

To celebrate the easing of lockdown – and the fact we can mostly meet up in parks again! – I’d love to photograph you and your family to capture the most special times.

Let’s make summer 2021 a year to remember! Sessions booked by May 3, 2o21, can be for later in the year. Just ask for more details!

Yes! Free Family Photoshoot!
Mum and Dad cradle their newborn baby as part of a North London baby photography shoot.

“I’m not wearing that.”

I offer a complete design service at Louisa Peacock Photography and can get as detailed as you wish on outfits and what looks good together. But nine times out of 10, my styling involves Dads wearing a really simply, classic t-shirt or shirt that’s so natural and timeless, you won’t feel odd in it. You’ll just feel like a super relaxed and chilled version of you.

It won’t be too smart, it won’t be too casual.  As part of a candid family photography session it’ll feel natural to you. You don’t even have to think about it! Let me do all that work – all you’ve gotta do is turn up!!

“I have no idea how to pose, or ‘look’, without it looking cheesy.”

Dads often worry about how or where to stand within a posed set up in my studio. Believe me, there’s nothing I hate more than a cheesy photograph with awkward poses and uncomfortable looking people in them!

You can trust me to put you all at ease – from babies to adults – as soon as you arrive at my studio in Muswell Hill. We’ll spend a bit of time chatting and getting to know each other, and fathers often see quickly that I know what I’m doing, I know where to place people, hands, feet, etc so it doesn’t look odd. Above all we’re going for candid family photography, no odd posing or awkward smiles!

All dads have to do is let me do the hard work of posing and thinking about what looks good.

“It’ll be too expensive”.

Booking a session at Louisa Peacock Photography is an investment. While that’s not for everyone, those that do go ahead see it as a valuable way to cherish the time they have with their children, while they’re still so small, and to show those children exactly how loved and wanted they are.

What better family heirloom could there be, than an album you can sit down with you kids and flick through, sparking conversations and memories? Or a beautiful wall gallery that makes you and your whole family smile every time you walk by?

I’m upfront about my pricing from the get-go and will always be as clear as possible on the typical budgets spent and where you might be headed.

In fact, after your session, I send you home with a few brochures and materials and encourage you to think hard about your budget, and prioritise what it is you’d like me to do for you the most.

There are no ‘surprises’ in the sales room when it comes to my packages as you will be taken through the whole process at different stages along the way.

“I don’t need to be there; you and the kids do it”.

Sometimes dads just don’t realise how much they’re truly valued. They think the photoshoot will go just as well without them and that they don’t really need to be there.

Of course, I do offer “Mummy and Me” photographs which are a really great way to keep a record of your growing kids and celebrate the awesome mother that you are. I mean come on, mums rock!!

But Dads rock just as much. If you want a ‘family photoshoot’ then family means ALL members of the family and having Dad there sends a really amazing signal to the kids of just how much all of you wanted to record this moment in time and celebrate your family awesomeness together.

Again, think about it from your kids’ point of view too. When they grow up and look back on their photos, they’ll want to see all members of the family represented.

You know, when I do a newborn shoot and I ask Dads to join in for some parent shots, they can often be a little reluctant and surprised to be asked. But, nine times out of 10, it is THESE shots that they end up buying! Celebrating connection – and the moments we have together as a family – is so important. It also helps to show a sense of scale as to how little, you little ones truly are.

Dad and Mum pose with both their children in a North London newborn photoshoot
Muswell Hill baby photographer Louisa Peacock

Louisa is the owner of Louisa Peacock Photography and runs an award-winning studio in her own home in Muswell Hill. She specialises in family, baby and newborn photography in the studio or out and about in London’s beautiful parks. Above all her photoshoots are relaxed, fun and meaningful.

______ FREE FAMILY PHOTOSHOOTS ______

This April 2021 I’m giving away TEN free family photoshoots outdoors, worth £145.

To celebrate the easing of lockdown – and the fact we can mostly meet up in parks again! – I’d love to photograph you and your family to capture the most special times.

Let’s make summer 2021 a year to remember! Sessions booked by May 3, 2021, can be for later in the year. Just ask for more details!

Yes! Free Family Photoshoot!