This is not the type of family that you would think of putting in matching Christmas sweaters.

One boy is typically recognizable by his trademark neon threads, and the little girl has been into shoes since before she was two. They definitely have their own style.

I was pretty confident that we would get good shots out of this family mini-session. I’ve taken pictures of the two younger kids before, and they are born for the stage. As for the eldest, he has a face that is just begging to be recruited for the next boy band sensation. Mom and Dad look pretty good in front of the camera, too, once Dad was reassured that Mom wasn’t going to dress the family all matchy-matchy.

We got a wide variety of family shots using my 60-inch soft box light. I don’t normally bring this monster for an outdoor shoot, because it is too susceptible to flying off in the wind, but I knew we would be protected by the trees and houses,  and there wasn’t much breeze. Just in case, I used the light stand with the anchoring spikes and aerated their lawn a little as we went.

We did a variety of traditional family groupings.

family portrait backyard family portrait backyard family portrait backyard

We also did a few that let the family show more personality and energy.

family portrait backyard

These kids got hops.

family portrait backyard

The kids all wanted to be photographed with their dog.

girl with dog boy with dog boy with dog

But they were willing to be photographed on their own as well. The first boy is doing jazz hands. See what I mean about being born for the stage?

boy with jazz hands boy reclining girl on knees

We capped off the session with a few bonus shots on the swing set and in the trees, their natural habitat. Most of them even have the kids facing the right way up.

Boy in tree Boy in tree Girl in tree

But not all of them.

kids on swing set