Daddy And Me Photo Shoot Ideas

Happy (early) Father’s Day to all those dads out there. If you have a celebration planned for this Sunday, why not turn it into a photo shoot as well? In today’s blog post I’ll be sharing a collection of my favorite Father’s Day photos plus some daddy and me photo shoot ideas. Trust me, a photo shoot is a far better gift than a tie this holiday.

My Favorite Daddy and Me Photos

Let me start by showcasing some of the wonderful moments I have been able to capture over the years between fathers and their families. With over 15 years of experience behind the camera, these are my highlights:

A Photo Shoot Is a Great Gift for Father’s Day

Let’s face it, your dad already has everything he needs. From tools to ties, if there is something he wants, he goes out and gets it. So, what do you get the man who has everything? Look no further than some quality family time during a photo shoot. No gift wrapping required!

Daddy and Me Photo Shoot Ideas

The trick, of course, is that you have to make the photo shoot an easy, breezy experience. This is where documentary-style photography wins the day. I’m a firm believer that the best photo anyone will ever take of you is when you don’t know the camera is on you. That’s why I prefer to have lots of activities during my photo shoots so that you can (hopefully) forget that the camera is even there.

As such, here are my ideas for some activities during your daddy and me photo shoot. In short, you want to focus on activities that dad and the kids can enjoy together, or at least for an hour. Think hobbies, sports, or even something where day is teaching the kid a thing or two. These ideas work for kids of all ages, by the way.

Re-create family portraits. I have taken some great photos where I re-create one grand image of the whole family together (see below). But what if you took your funny family snapshots, and re-created these gems? This is a guaranteed way to get the whole family to smile.
Switch roles. Remember the movie, Freaky Friday? Have the kids dress up like the adults, and the adults like the kids. This is a learning experience for both generations.
Fixing things, or a mini construction project. Seeing the little ones help dad build something is a classic image.
Gardening together. Picture it: the whole family surrounding dad on the lawnmower. And while I’m sure it sounds like I am just putting the kids to work, getting the kids out in the yard with dad is a great way to capture some memories.
Barbecue or get together in the kitchen. It’s a classic moment to have dad behind the grill, but maybe he’s just as much at ease making a cake? Either way, getting the whole family into the kitchen makes for some great photos.
Plan a picnic. If it’s a nice day out, why not take that meal outside? Parks are always a great location for photos, and the photo shoot will go even better with food.
Enjoying sports together. This could be anything from going to a game together, to tossing around a football in the backyard. Basically, if it’s a sport your dad loves, then it’s time to enjoy it together. Seeing dad teach the game to the little ones, even if it’s on the couch in the living room, is a great shot.
Fishing trip. As a variation on sports-themed activities, get the kids in the boat and take along the camera.
Dance together. Seeing a little one dance on daddy’s feet, especially for little girls, is a great moment. But I might update this shot to have it be the kids teaching dear old dad how to do the TikTok.
Beach day. Make it a road trip, and hit the sandy shores of your local beach. You’ve got lots of opportunities for sports on the beach or playing in the surf.
Board (or video) game night. Fear not if it’s too hot outside; you can always stay indoors playing board games or video games. Teaching dad how to play Call of Duty is a great image. And for that matter, having dad teach the kids how to play Centipede is another great memory. (Gen X Atari fans, are you out there?)
Make art together. This idea definitely works for kids of all ages, but it is super cute with little ones. Even better if the little ones get all covered in finger paint.
Write dad a letter. The idea here is that kids give letters to their dad. You can have photos of the kids writing the letter or reading the letter. Either way, you won’t likely have a dry eye in the house.
Make a memory box together. This activity is along the same lines as writing a letter. Basically, you’ve got a decorative box, and each child or family member puts in an item that solicits a memory. Let your photographer tagalong in order to document the moment.
Make it an adventure. Amusement parks, zip lining, and roller coasters are just a few of the ways you can get dad out of his comfort zone. Having an adventure activity planned during a photo shoot is a great way to get rid of cheesy smiles for the camera.
Cosplay dad. Cosplay and costuming isn’t just for kids. There are plenty of adults who create amazing costumes, and this is definitely a great family activity. Document the creation of a costume, or simply get out there and make your fantasy dreams a reality for the camera. Every dad is a superhero.

‘Posing’ Tips For Daddy And Me Photo Shoots

I’m not a fan of stiff posing, as such. But even if you’re not planning an elaborate activity as listed above, these basic principles will help you get the best smiles out of fathers and children.

Take a walk together. Walking out the nerves, as I like to call it, is how I start most of my photo shoots.
Get up close and personal. Sit together on the couch or at a table together. If you have little ones, pile all of them together with dad into one chair and let the magic begin.
Play. Hide and go seek, chase, you name it.
Get down on your child’s level. Roll around on the floor, or at the very least, kneel down to your child’s level so that your heads are at the same level for the camera.
Say it with a hug. Plan for lots of physical contact during a photo shoot. Hugging it out is a great way to get a smile for the camera.

For some more general family portrait photo tips, check out this article on ‘The Best Family Portrait Poses.’

Conclusion

For Father’s Day, a photo shoot is a great gift to give. That said, I have found that most men find jumping in front of the camera to be a nerve-racking experience. To keep the day a celebration, focus on turning the photo shoot into a fun day of activities. Use your imagination, and focus on activities that dad enjoys. Finally, use the photo shoot as your excuse to be a kid again. Getting down on your kids’ level and playing with your children is a great way to capture some wonderful memories.

Enjoy the images, and I’ll have more adventures for you next week!

______________________________________________________

If you found this article on ‘Daddy and Me Photo Shoot Ideas’ useful, then check out my equally interesting articles here:

Are you interested in scheduling a family portrait in San Antonio? Drop me a line and let’s chat about how I can help you. I have hourly rates, and all photo shoots include editing and high-resolution files.

To view more images from my family photography portfolio, please visit my website – KellyWilliamsPhotographer.com