Capture kids easily at your next in-home photo session with this prompt: it’s a great low pressure way to help everyone relax into the shoot. Not only that, it’s a beautiful memento: by leaning into documentary territory, you can capture memories for the family of their day-to-day. As my sister says, her family holidays are more an odyssey of playgrounds of the world than anything else, so why not embrace that in your photoshoot?
Let them play: lifestyle photos for families with kids
This prompt works for kids from toddler age up to tweens. It’s child-led and documentary in style, so relax into it and see where the kids lead.
How to use this photo pose prompt
Find a playground or grab some simple props from the house during an in-home session, and get parents involved in playing simple games with the kids. Start with more directive prompts if they are looking lost, or if the kids dive into their own play, follow the action.
Prompt: Let them play
- Grab a sheet and have the adults or older children hold it at the corners. Have them lift it up and down (like a parachute) and the smaller children can run backwards and forwards underneath. Get down low and shoot from ground level.
- Link everyone into a circle and have them play Ring around the Rosy. Then all sit down for Duck Duck Goose.
- For a family with older kids, line them all up in a row and play Whispers.
- Turn on some music and have everyone show you their best dance moves. Have them hold hands for a line dance.
- Have the kids play in their yard, and follow the action: swings, climbing frames, bikes, kicking a ball: they will love showing what they can do.
- Capture their imaginative play. Give them a flower or some pebbles and see what they do. Sit down close and play alongside, snapping the occasional photo.
- Explore the environment: find a tree to climb, sand to dig, rocks to turn into a castle.
Creative extension
- Ask the family to share their favourite game with you. What do they like to do together? Build a photoshoot around capturing their family time, their way.
Tag @promptographerguide and use the hashtag #promptographerguide to share your favorite photos captured with this prompt.
Want this prompt in your Field Cards set?
All the info in this prompt post is summarized onto a single card in the Promptographer Guide Field Cards, with the details given in the accompanying Guidebook. All the ideas are given on the one card so you have a rich, comprehensive tool for sparking ideas. I’ve designed it this way so you only need five to ten cards to build a whole photoshoot.
If you want this prompt in your set, make sure you include Set 8: Childhood Moments in your Field Cards.
