How much do photographers charge for family portraits?

Family portraits are a great way to mark the passage of time, create lifelong keepsakes and have gorgeous-looking photos for your annual holiday card. The national average cost for hiring family photographers ranges from $150 to $200. Pricing can range higher depending on where you live, length of the photo shoot, the number of edited photos you request, and the background and reputation of your family photographer. Before hiring, make sure you understand their fees up front. Ask how many finished images are included in the quoted price and whether you will receive all the photos taken (not just edited photos). Ask whether you’ll be able to download digital photos or if you’ll have to print them or purchase digital copies through the photographer. Here are some average examples of family photographer pricing:

$175 for a one-hour studio session in Kansas.
$200 for a one-hour studio or outdoor session in Georgia. Includes two outfit changes, access to an online gallery, and about 200 high-resolution, edited digital photo files on a DVD, with permission to print.
$400 for a one-hour outdoor session in Southern California. Includes 25-30 fully edited photos accessible online or via CD/DVD.
$425 or more for a one-hour outdoor or in-home session in Illinois. Includes more than 50 professionally edited images, online access and print release.

Do you tip a photographer for family photos?

Tipping a photographer for family portraits is not standard etiquette. A great way to recognize a family photographer who goes above and beyond is to write them a glowing review. You probably found your photographer by reading online reviews, so paying it forward by letting everyone know how much you appreciate their work is a great gift. Write your review after they have delivered the final edited photos on time and you’ve confirmed that you’re happy with the terrific portraits they took.

What should you wear for a family photo?

A family photographer captures your family in a series of professionally edited portraits. You can be goofy, you can be formal, you can be exactly how you want to be. To that end, you can wear what makes you feel comfortable and confident — feeling good translates to looking good in photos. However, top family photographers do have some style suggestions that will make your family photos more visually cohesive:

Ask the photographer for color suggestions if you’re doing an outdoor photo shoot. Location and time of day can affect which shades will fade in the sunlight and what will stand out in a good way.
Stay away from a mix of stripes or plaids on multiple people — the effect is too busy.
Steer clear of tiny patterns, which blend together too much.
Avoid wearing matching outfits.
Do wear outfits that are complementary in color.
Choose color over black-and-white outfits.
Do choose a theme, such as pastels, fall colors or summer colors.
Opt for tonally similar colors.
Go easy on makeup for outdoor photo shoots.

Sarah G.

Verified review

Carrie did a fantastic job photographing my grandmother's 90th birthday party! She is professional, personable and talented. She was able to efficiently rangle 40 people including my grandparents and infants for a group photo and do it quick enough not to disrupt the festivities. She mingled well with the family without standing out. She was availble when we needed special photos and discretely photographed the event the rest of the time. My family was very impressed with the quality of the images and Carrie's aesthetic along with her presence at the party. I reccomended Carrie to photograph you family event or portrait for sure.

Trevor H.

We hired Emil to photograph our wedding, and he did an absolutely wonderful job. He responded quickly to all of our emails and phone calls, and his contract was clear and fair. He was present to photograph all of the important moments in our wedding (the "first look," the ceremony, speeches, dancing, family photos, one-on-one photos, the works) and he shot both indoors and outside without issue. He was attentive the entire time he was at our wedding, and he made sure to move around the room to capture guests throughout the night. We haven't seen the photos yet, but we're very excited to relive our wedding through the photos, and we'll update the review once we've seen them.

Nathlyn B.

Kimia was wonderful! My family photo shoot was very last minute but I contacted Kimia and she was very flexible and accommodating. The photo shoot was fun and she welcomed our input. She is just a delightful young lady and we were very pleased with the finished photos.

Warner S.

I am absolutely 100% satified with Martika P. Gartman Photography. I have hired many Event Photographers for both Family and Church Events over the years. However, I must say that Martika P. Gartman Photography is the "best" Event Photographer that I have ever seen with my own eyes. She knew "exactly" how to pose and line up persons for photographs. She took her time, and the Event photographs are excellent "keep-sakes" for everyone attending the Church Event to hear my daughter, Dr. Sheri Prentiss, give a presentation about her newly published book," WHEN EVERYTHING CHANGED: MY JOURNEY FROM PHYSICIAN TO PATIENT", an inspiring book about Dr. Sheri as a breast cancer survivor. Thank you, Thumbtack Staff for making the "contact" between myself and Martika P. Gartman Photography.

Melissa B.

Mike Sansone provided easy portraiture that captured the personality of our firm and the subject. I highly recommend Mike Sansone Photography for your next portrait session.

Jennifer S.

I could not be grateful enough to have found Nikki on Thumbtack! She blew us away with her ability to wrangle all 9 of us for outdoor family portraits. She captured the best photos I've ever seen of my three wild nephews (7, 5, and 3 years old). When we posed for pics she helped us all to be at the right angles and coordinated. The boys were totally at ease with her and we all had a really great time. She is very professional, her edits were tasteful (not overly filtered), her prices are beyond fair, and we now have a large album of beautiful photos that capture our family at it's best. Highly recommend contacting Nikki. I'm booking her again for my other side of the family and will continue to reach out to her in the future. THANK YOU, NIKKI!

TOPE F.

After meeting with several photographers, she was the ONLY one my wife and i liked. Her professionalism is unlike any other - prompt with responses, super creative and pictures came on time.Geraldine has one of the biggest hearts of anyone I have ever met, and I was absolutely honored to have her play such an important role in my wedding. I can't recommend her enough.

Laura A.

Kristine took headshots for my daughter for an upcoming theater audition at her college. I couldn't have asked for more beautiful or professional photos. She took a variety of poses and expressions in front of real backgrounds and really brought out the personality of my child. Kristine has also been the eighth-grade portrait photographer at my children's school for a number of years. The children look like angels in her pictures. Her portraits of my oldest two children are treasured by my kids. You can't go wrong with Kristine. She is the best!

Michael A.

Very professional and excellent results - the subjects in our group were very pleases with their portrait photos! Would use again and recommend to all in need of professional head shots.

Ariel C.

Ekaterina was timely, professional, personable, and artistic in her work. We took engagement photos with her after finding her on Thumbtack. I saw the work posted on her website and was wowed at the quality and artistic creativity. We were unsure of good locations and she provided options for us to choose from and a plan B in case of rain. During the photoshoot, we admitted that we were unsure what to do and she guided us comfortably through the entire shoot. She made us feel comfortable enough to be silly and genuine and the photos came out very natural looking. The photos look beautiful (even before editing), and we have already booked her for our wedding. I look forward to booking her for graduation photos for my M. Ed. I would HIGHLY recommend her to all of my family and friends for a photographer of any type of event or occasion.

MAYRA M.

Thank you sooo much Ronald for being at my daughter's event, The pictures are beautiful .! From now on You are the family photographer, as well as a friend, Thanks again! Will be back for a photo session Soon😄

Jessica J.

Extremely Professional he did our family portraits and he is very patient with us. We are not an easy family to deal with and will be going back to see him again. Great pictures and everyone are happy.

Tina V.

This year is my year. I decided to join a dating site. I know that the process starts with a great picture. You simply have to put your best foot forward. Well, I needed a photographer who understood my objective. Tony understood exactly what I wanted to achieve and he gave me many options for profile picture. I did not know which one to select. We went to two different locations with three wardrobe changes in the rain. He offered to reschedule and re shoot if the pictures were not what I wanted. He was very professional and efficient. His initial contact was within minutes of my request for proposal. He returned the finished product to me less than 48 hours later. I had many pictures from which to select. He then did additional clean up on my main photo. I think I have found a new photographer for my family.

Kelsi D.

Mark was an amazing photographer. We booked him for our engagement photos, and we had such a great time with him and are extremely impressed with the photos he has sent us. He had an amazingly fast turnaround time for some sample photos with just a 2 day wait from our shoot. For the rest of the photos it only took him a couple of weeks! His work with lighting was spectacular, and he really made my fiancé and I enjoy the whole experience. We would highly recommend him to anyone wanting any photos taken, whether engagement, wedding, or even just portraits.

Richard E.

We held a 50th wedding anniversary with about 80 people invited for lunch and a slide show. We asked Joan to photograph every guest (as singles, couples or family) as they came in through our greeting reception process. Joan arrived on time amid the chaos of my family setting up the American Legion Hall for the event. (Four people cutting and arranging 270 stems of flowers and decorating 12 tables and we were late!) Joan set up her backdrop and lights in her designated corner and almost immediately started to photograph our guests as they arrived. Joan was amazing with the guests and accommodating with every situation. She photographed guest families with 3 year old children through a blind nun family member with beauty and dignity. Joan understood the general assignment well and executed it beautify with no supervision. When situation were not clear, she asked what was required. Working with her was like working with an old friend of many years. Our friends and family commented on Joan's friendly manner and demeanor in working with them. Joan is a "natural" for this kind of work and exceeded our expectations. We asked for and received a DVD of all her photography on this event which she produced before she left. Our intention is to print pictures to send to our friends and family along with the thank you letters and another set of prints to make what will be a very special 50th anniversary memory book.

Emily T.

The experience with Chris was fantastic! Not only is he a consummate professional, but he made the experience so fun, easy and positive. Unlike most family photographers, there was nothing staged. He just let us play and talk, and captured the most magical moments of our family being ourselves. I would highly recommend him to any family who is tired of standing by a picket fence or in front of a backdrop for their family photos. It is truly a unique end product that you will treasure!

Rashmi D.

We really had a great time taking summer pictures with Lauren... she made it easy for the family ... our pictures have come out great!! Lauren was very professional, on time and delivered the pictures to us before the due date.... we will be doing another session in fall wirh her...

Jieun L.

It was a great experience! We had a family portrait session for my father in-law's 60th birthday. The experience was great! He was very friendly and professional. And we love our photo results! Glad we chose Studio Soo to take our family portrait. We will be back for sure :)

Katie O.

Jeff and his wife were amazing and captured the most amazing pictures of my wedding! I would highly recommend Stand Still to anyone of my friends or family! Can’t wait to hire them again for my maternity and newborn pictures!

Darcie S.

Alicia is fantastic! Not only is she professional, punctual and great at what she does, she is also fun to work with and great at capturing those precious moments! Alicia took photos of my family when our daughter was only two weeks old and I know I will cherish those photos for the rest of my life! Highly recommended!

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