How to Incorporate Family Photography into Your Daily Routines

How often do you include photography into your daily life? Is it something that gets relegated to family reunions or something you feel comfortable with all the time? I adore photographing my little family here in Paris, and I think it’s because I come from a big New York family, so it’s always been an important part of my life. 

I want you to feel excited about those candid snaps, those posed portraits, and everything in between that capture the essence of your tribe. But here's the kicker: we're not just talking about those special occasions where everyone gets dressed to the nines and says "cheese" till their cheeks hurt. No, no. We're talking about weaving family photography right into the fabric of your daily routines.

Now, I know what you might be thinking. Daily routines? Isn't that a bit much? But hear me out. Think about it: our daily lives are filled with countless moments that, while seemingly mundane, hold so much beauty and meaning. And what better way to cherish those moments than by freezing them in time with a click of a button?

Yes, I own a photography studio and obviously use high quality, expensive camera equipment for professional photo sessions…but that doesn’t take away the convenience and charm of iphone photos or even point-and-shoot cameras. Of course it helps to have a good camera, but don’t let gear be an obstacle to recording picturesque moments. The memory will be just as strong in any form and you’ll be so glad you decided to capture it. 

Take videos! Even if they aren’t focused or specific. Videos can really capture the feeling of a time and place since they include audio. Later on, you might want to hear clips of your kids’ voices when they were young. My kids are always saying cute and hilarious things. It’s so easy to forget these moments as a parent when you have so much on your plate. I’ve found that it’s SO nice to watch little videos I’ve taken of my kids so I can relive conversations and laugh-worthy moments. Videos are the best!

Do you like to go on family picnics? Take a video so you get the sound of the birds and rustling leaves and the giggles and the perfect flares of sunlight. Make it into a natural storybook moment. In the deep, dark winter you'll love to have summer memories to look forward to. 

So, let’s get down to it. Here are some super casual, no-pressure ways you can sprinkle a little bit of photography magic into your everyday life:

Morning Madness Snapshots: Who doesn't love a good morning selfie, messy hair and all? Make it a daily ritual to snap a quick pic of the family as you all stumble out of bed and into the day. Sure, you might not look like models fresh off a magazine cover, but hey, that's real life, right? Some of my favorite family photos were taken at natural, peaceful moments that make me feel all the comfort of home life and the relaxed love between family members. Drinking coffee in the morning, sitting down at the breakfast table, brushing teeth, playing with siblings, rubbing sleepy eyes…I just adore these bits and pieces of life. 

I also think it’s an important teaching moment for kids, that we don’t have to look perfect all the time to be valued. We deserve love and attention in all forms, including that fresh-out-of-bed version of ourselves. Afterwards, if you want, take another photo when the family is nicely dressed. But don’t hide the less perfect moments. They’re special too. 

And honestly, sometimes the “fancy” portraits feel more sterile than the “messy” pics of family. There are probably few places you feel more relaxed and cozy than at home, and this is a great reason to pull out the camera. 

My friend Katie Mitchell, an incredible artist photographer in Milan, is doing a 1 photo a day for 1 year challenge with her family. She bought a bunch of disposable black and white film cameras and the kids are even getting involved and creative with it too! Then she'll print them out and have a whole album of the year of candid real life photos. You could also do this with instax poloroids so you instantly have them! 

Mealtime Memories: Whether it's breakfast, lunch, or dinner, there's something special about gathering around the table as a family. Take a moment before digging in to capture a shot of the spread or a candid shot of everyone mid-bite. Food and family - a match made in heaven!

Also, if you happen to live in France like me, or have plans to visit Paris, you’ll know that it’s the perfect place to photograph meals because they’re usually deliciously picturesque AND mealtime is one of the most important traditions in French culture. Lunch and dinner is usually slow and drawn out, with plenty of time to socialize, digest, and sip a coffee with dessert. It’s basically a sacred time in France (and in a lot of European countries), and for that reason, it SHOULD be photographed. Sharing a meal with the entire family has to be one of my favorite things. Also, good food is bound to bring out some genuine smiles from young children and a gleeful look from the adults too. 

Homework Hustle: Homework time might not sound like the most glamorous of moments, but trust me, there's something precious about capturing those focused little faces as they tackle math problems or spelling tests. 

Plus, you'll have perfect blackmail material for when they're older!

School doesn’t last forever so I love the idea of documenting this fleeting moment where your kids are learning and developing. It’s so crazy how fast kids learn to read and write! These are the kinds of things that will make you tear up later, believe me. 

Evening Adventures: Whether it's a walk around the neighborhood, a trip to the park, or just a cozy movie night at home, there's always something worth snapping a pic of during those evening hours. Bonus points if you catch a sunset or some fireflies in action! The evening often has good light and can be a great time for some family portraiture. Be aware that after the sun goes down, it can be tricky to take photos in low light. Sometimes the available light just isn't quite bright enough. As a general rule, I try to take most of my pictures in the morning and afternoon for the best photos. 

Every time I look back on photos or videos taken at sunset, I’m immediately filled with a sense of nostalgia. Even through a phone, the natural light looks cinematic. If you want, you can even use these photos or videos to make a little montage later with music added to it. Then it basically turns into a digital photo book! Or use your favorite family pictures for holidays cards! 

As the day winds down, you can also capture those bedtime routines - the bedtime stories, the tooth-brushing shenanigans, the last-minute cuddles, the tickle fight. These moments may seem small, but they're the ones you'll look back on in the middle of the work week, or when you’re away from your family. 

Travel Traditions: I absolutely LOVE the idea of making it a tradition to book a photo shoot while traveling somewhere new. It doesn’t have to be every trip, but it could be a big vacation plan to a city you’ve never been before, or a place you return to time and time again. Even if the backdrop is the same (like the eiffel tower or some other permanent structure), YOU are changing. I think it’s so fun to see the evolution of ourselves in photographs, especially in places we love and associate with on a personal level. I'm convinced traveling is the perfect opportunity for family sessions that will give you higher quality files and a fun family activity all in one! Whether you're traveling with small children, older kids, small groups or large families, you should take the extra time to choose a special place for a good family photo that will last forever. Since everyone has iphones, we often take photography for granted. And sometimes I think it just might be the most important thing we can do to honor ourselves and one another. 

We have many clients who do this very thing and make a point of booking professional photo sessions with their families whenever they travel. Everything feels a little more extravagant than usual when you’re traveling… like dining out, dressing up, participating in cultural events, and just generally easing into vacation mode. Doing a portrait session can feel like the perfect addition because there’s something intentional and even empowering about it. 

We have some clients who want to celebrate their solo trip to Paris by documenting their moments of joy and independence in photo form. We love doing shoots like this! It reminds us that we ARE allowed to treat ourselves to a little attention and simply celebrate being alive and in a gorgeous place. You don’t NEED a family or partner to book a shoot. You can also just book one for yourself. You will feel like you’re flying afterwards. Seriously. 

So those are five simple ways to incorporate family photography into your daily routines. I firmly believe that it's not about perfection or Instagram-worthy shots. It's about capturing the beauty of everyday life. 

So grab your camera (or your phone) and start snapping away. Your future self will thank you for it!

If you’re tired of being the default photographer in your family, need professional photos for your holiday cards, or if you’re simply ready for a quality upgrade to your photos, look no further than Katie Donnelly Photography! We can finally get you in front of your lens! We would love to welcome you to our charming Paris studio for an indoor portrait session or meet somewhere in our favorite French city for a swoonworthy, outdoor session. You’ll leave with beautiful memories from your photo session AND museum-quality family portraits for your walls. You can book a session with us HERE