• Family portraits preserve memories of togetherness and tradition.Michael Hevesy/Photodisc/Getty Images
  
  Taking the studio outdoors has become an option among professional photographers for family portrait sessions. Natural landscapes are a comfortable setting for families. The client and photographer interact with each other on a more personal level than in the studio, under bright lights and in confined spaces. Children interact more naturally in an outdoor location as well, especially when it is a familiar setting.
  
  

Location

• Select a location that has significance to the family, such as a picturesque pond that the family goes to for annual picnics, or a national park with flourishing trees and hills where the family regularly rides bikes together. Locations that have fond memories add interest and meaning to your portrait. Have the family share these stories with you before the session. Incorporate story-telling elements such as the family riding vintage bikes at the national park for a nostalgic feel, or a retro picnic basket as a prop at the pond. These elements will keep the stories of the family's tradition alive for generations and make the portraits monumental.
  
  

The Natural Pose

• Emphasis on the bond between parents, children and their siblings is essential in family portraits. Have the family pose naturally; keep the laughter going and the poses from becoming too static. Capture real smiles of the children and parents by getting them to laugh, complimenting them often and encouraging them to interact with their surroundings.
  
  

Composition

• Use color as composition. Find brightly colored walls, textured brick or use text from buildings and signage as backdrops for the modern families who want a contemporary twist to their portraits. This style especially appeals to young families and trendy couples.
  
  

Natural Light

• Sunlight provides the main source of light for outdoor photographs. Clients feel comfortable in natural light as it feels less like a formal photo shoot. Schedule sessions at a convenient time for your clients, but keep in mind when the lighting is prime. Sunrise to 10 a.m. is a fresh, delicate and warmer light, while 4 to 6 p.m. is a more rich, warm and diffused light. High noon is the most difficult lighting to photograph, as the sun is directly above your subject and is sharp and directional, which creates harsh shadows. Shadows can be filled by angling the sunlight with a gold or silver reflector into these shadows, if early afternoon is the best time for the client.