Family Portrait Tips, Ideas and Recent Sessions

Grandparents are the best
Grandparents are the best

Seriously, how amazing are grandparents? Our kids are so lucky to have very close relationships with their Grandma, Nanna, Spotty Pop, Grandad and Grandma Marilyn and it's not something we take for granted. That's why I'm super jealous of this extended family portrait...

Mummy daughter time
Mummy daughter time

"I realised that I am the one always taking photos of my daughter and sending them to husband and grandparents, but I am never in the photos!" We have heard a variation of this phrase so, so many times and it's the same with our family. Except it's usually me making...

From bride to mum
From bride to mum

There's seriously nothing we love more than photographing our wedding couples again, years down the track, with their own families. Getting to know a couple and their family and friends during the entire wedding planning process and day itself, is such an intimate...

Decorate your new home
Decorate your new home

The first time we spoke to Kaye about our Sisterhood Family Portrait Project, she had just received the keys to their new house that very day! Kaye told us that she was keen to create a beautiful space with some family photos of their three kids: Yuan, Lyna and Caly...

The beach at 7.30am
The beach at 7.30am

After a rough winter in Melbourne, it finally feels like Spring is in the air - yay! The warmer weather forecasted this weekend has got us thinking about our upcoming summer family portrait shoots, specifically those at the beach. If you're a sand-loving family, we...

Four years on…
Four years on…

It's been four years since we first photographed Jenny and Will's family - which at that time consisted of their adorable two-year-old daughter Bonnie and gorgeous golden retriever Romsey. A lot has changed since then (global pandemic, anyone?), but especially for...

How family portraits boost children’s confidence
How family portraits boost children’s confidence

Having professional family portraits that showcase the love and connection between parents and children can be incredibly empowering for kids. Seeing themselves and their parents captured in a beautiful, loving moment can boost their self-esteem and confidence in a...

Boys in blue
Boys in blue

Brothers Emmett and Rubin just being outdoors. Whether it's visiting mum's horse paddocks, going on bike rides, scooter rides, running around or climbing trees - as long as they're together, these boys are happy! Therefore, we knew they would love one of our bush...

Party of five
Party of five

Rather than me telling you about these gorgeous kids, I'll hand it over to mum Corinna to describe them in her own words: "Jayden is a soccer fanatic (Liverpool) and super active; he always needs to be running. His mind is moving a million miles an hour and he loves...

Mummy’s little helper
Mummy’s little helper

Adrianna recently moved into a new apartment with her daughter Kaja and was looking for some family photos to display on the living room wall that would celebrate their strong bond. We just love these photos from their session at Valley Reserve as they certainly show...

Active boys
Active boys

As a mum of a super-active son who is constantly on the go (I mean, why simply walk somewhere when you can run, hop, jump or bounce a basketball to get there?), I have a small insight into what life must be like with two active boys! Archer and Isaac are super close...

Knitted cardigans and gumboots
Knitted cardigans and gumboots

Knitted cardigans, gumboots and an abundance of squishy cuddles.... it was cuteness overload at this gorgeous winter family session. Norah and Grace love exploring the bush around their Upwey home, so we knew that a bush-style session would be the perfect location for...

A year of joy
A year of joy

For most Melburnians 2021 was a shocker of a year - lockdowns, curfews, home learning, restrictions, masks and holiday plans thrown into chaos. But for Suzie and Sacha it was a year of pure joy at home with their beautiful baby Sofia. We first met these guys back in...

Silly sisters
Silly sisters

With her youngest daughter Alisha starting school next year and a new house currently under construction, it’s an exciting time for Tamsin and her family: “I’d love some new art for the new walls, particularly of my two girls being a bit silly.” Sisters Charley and...

So … your partner needs some convincing?
So … your partner needs some convincing?

Don’t worry. We’re here to help! Firstly, I actually do understand. My childhood included just as many cheezy posed family photos as yours, maybe more (my two teenage brothers and I were even forced to wear matching woollen jumpers one year!)

Our favourite bushland areas for family portraits
Our favourite bushland areas for family portraits

If your family is like ours and loves camping and getting out in nature, we really recommend choosing a bush setting for your family portrait session. And the good news is there's no need to pack the car, set up tents or sleep on the ground for the bush experience!...

Our favourite parks for family portraits
Our favourite parks for family portraits

We absolutely love to photograph our families out in the great outdoors in natural light. Our sessions are quite active and fun, so being outside allows kids to run around and be their usual silly selves and show their real personalities to the camera. When it comes...

Last before lockdown
Last before lockdown

When we photographed Jo and her lovely family back in July, we all had no idea that Melbourne was just about to plunge into yet another lockdown! It was such a fun morning at Valley Reserve taking these photos of sisters Jaidyn and Jaimie, who are both little...

Family portrait sessions at the beach
Family portrait sessions at the beach

For many Melburnian families, beaches have great memories of relaxing holidays, nice weather and having fun with the kids. We are blessed with so many beautiful bay beaches that provide a really special backdrop for family portraits - and you don't have to wait until...

Special sibling bond
Special sibling bond

When Karine told us that her family just love being outside - whether it's bike riding, hiking, ball sports or dancing - we knew this would be a great session. Micah and Nikita obviously share a very special sibling bond - they are each other's best friend and very...

Crazy curls
Crazy curls

Lotti moved to Melbourne with her two gorgeous kids from Orlando, Florida two years ago and really wanted to get some beautiful photos of the family to put up on the walls of her new home. We had such a fun morning with Noah and Mimi, they are both an absolute...

9 years on…
9 years on…

It's been more than nine years since we photographed Annette and Heath's wedding at the now-closed Ascot House. So much has happened in both their family and ours in that time.... we're both now parents of two! We love seeing what our wedding couples are up to and how...

Going on a bear hunt
Going on a bear hunt

Every time I see these photos from this beautiful family portrait session at St Kilda Botanical Gardens, I get memories of reading 'Going on a Bear Hunt' with our kids... over and over again. It's those pics of little two-year-old Claudia confidently leading her...

Boys in the bush
Boys in the bush

When we first met Chantel and her family, she told us that they had been building their Kangaroo Ground home for five years and would really love some natural family photos to fill the blank walls. We chose a bush setting that would fit perfectly within their rural...

One big happy family
One big happy family

It sounds like the plot from a teen novel, but it's real life... Amberlee and Daniel first met when their daughters went to school together. They were friends for a few years before they both became single and decided to give their relationship a go. It turned out to...

Fun at Rocket Park
Fun at Rocket Park

When Megan and Gareth said they'd like to hold their family portrait session at Central Gardens in Hawthorn because they live nearby, they weren't joking... it's practically their backyard! This beautiful space is better known to local kids as the 'Rocket Park' due to...

A year in review
A year in review

It’s been another wonderful year at Hugster Family Photography.  We’ve taken photos at parks, gardens and beaches all over Melbourne and even taken Hugster on Tour to Canberra and Noosa and met some truly lovely people in front of our camera.On a personal note, the...

Watch them grow…
Watch them grow…

Without doubt, one of the best parts of our job as a family photographer is watching our families grow... whether it's in number or just literally up! It's always a huge pleasure when one of our families comes back to us after a year or two to update their family...

Hugster on Tour to Noosa
Hugster on Tour to Noosa

Last month we took Hugster on Tour to Noosa… along with most of Melbourne it would seem. Since first visiting with the kids a few years ago, we have fallen in love with this beautiful coastal town. With its relaxed, laid back feel and the gorgeous beach and National...

Two princesses and their prince
Two princesses and their prince

Judging from these family portrait photos, Hudson is a pretty lucky boy to have these two lovely big sisters - Harlee and Isabella - looking out for him all his life! All three kids and parents Carly and Wally had so much fun at this session. We took a...

Take me to the river
Take me to the river

A portrait session is something really special to do as a family and for many, a rare event in your life. It might be an activity you only do every few years, or even less often. So many families tell us that a professional session is something they have...

And two more makes four
And two more makes four

Dayna and Karl first met at church. Dayna noticed he was a good dresser, smart, handsome and funny. Karl thought she was funny, smart and cute and knew they worked within 'lunch together sometime' distance from each other. It then took seven years of...

Prepare your family for an awesome session
Prepare your family for an awesome session

In the leadup to your family portrait experience, you might be wondering whether you’ll be “good at being photographed”; will you smile the right way, stand the right way, will you look like yourself or will you look posy, will the kids behave? Our aim is to create...

Four to adore
Four to adore

If you're going to have four kids, you'd be pretty happy to have this gorgeous bunch! Daisy 14; Henry 9; Millie 7; and Edward 5 are all great mates and it definitely showed in front of our camera. We asked Susan and Simon to describe each child in just...

Fun at the beach
Fun at the beach

Wow, what a beach family session this turned out to be! We absolutely love these pics of Brodie, Ryan and their two gorgeous kids Sam and Eliza, that we captured at Brighton dog beach recently. Brodie had already told us that the kids laugh most when they...

Our Favourite Moments of the Year
Our Favourite Moments of the Year

Phew! It’s been a massive year at Hugster Family Photography – our first full year since we split our wedding and family portrait brands and Hugster was born. It’s been a slog to get our new name out there, but so rewarding meeting so many beautiful families. It’s...

A tight knit bunch
A tight knit bunch

When Sarah finished uni and moved interstate to a small country town, little did she know that she would meet the love of her life. After work, Sarah visited the gym during the week and the pub on the weekends. Nathan worked at the pub and was always at...

Family portrait sessions at the beach
Family portrait sessions at the beach

For many Melbourne families, summer means beach time! Sand castles, fish and chips, ice cream, swimming, paddling - but have you considered family portrait sessions at the beach? We are blessed with so many beautiful bay beaches that provide a really...

Digging For Family Treasures
Digging For Family Treasures

When we heard that one of Belle’s sons was named Toby (the same as our cheeky 4-year-old) and shares the same love of fart jokes, we knew we would definitely get along! This Toby is two years old and simply adores his older brother Zac. Belle told us that...

Worth the wait
Worth the wait

Some things are worth the wait.... and that includes these beautiful family photos! Kathryn's mum purchased a Hugster family photography voucher at her local school fete last year. We scheduled in an Autumn session for Kathryn and her two daughters Alize and Vianne,...

Love your grandparents
Love your grandparents

Grandparents and grandkids share a special bond that is a real joy to witness - especially in our family! And it’s no surprise really. For many grandparents, it’s a second chance at parenting – but with more fun stuff and less responsibility. And so, to...

Love is love
Love is love

While the debate over marriage equality consumes the nation, it sometimes seems to get forgotten that there are already thousands of same-sex parent families who are just going about their daily lives. I've often wondered how many people out there are...

Including your dog in a family portrait session
Including your dog in a family portrait session

For many families, their dog is an essential part of the family, so it makes sense that your fur-baby will also come along to a family portrait session. We’re more than happy to include your beloved pooch in our sessions, but a little extra planning goes a...

Migrate south for winter
Migrate south for winter

While most of Melbourne heads north to Queensland for the winter school holidays, Jess and Brett are one of those crazy families who made the opposite move down south, moving back to Melbourne two years ago. Considering they are much more used to balmy...

Why we don’t want your kids to ‘behave’
Why we don’t want your kids to ‘behave’

Nearly every parent that we’ve photographed has had a moment during their session when they turn to Iain and say, “I’m so sorry my kids aren’t behaving, how are you going to get a good photo out of this?” Trust us, Iain is a magician when it comes to getting the best...

Winter Session Tips
Winter Session Tips

Winter might not be the first season that jumps to mind when you think ‘family portrait session’ but if you’ve got kids who love the outdoors (and whose don’t?) this time of year is perfect! There’s lots of reasons - cute winter woollies, having a park all to yourself...

Last days of Autumn
Last days of Autumn

We love sessions in the late afternoon, golden Autumn light and Jasmine and her kids were lucky enough to snap up one of the last days before all the leaves fell to the ground. We loved getting to know this family, the kids were exactly as Jasmine described them:...

The best family portrait session locations
The best family portrait session locations

Once you've decided on the date and time of your session, deciding on the perfect location is the next most important factor. We photograph all our sessions outdoors in natural light (except for newborn sessions) as it best suits our style of photography and allows...

Why we love Autumn family portrait sessions
Why we love Autumn family portrait sessions

Autumn is awesome. Here in Melbourne we are blessed with still-warm days in March, which gradually lead to a great run of beautifully typical Autumn days – crisp and foggy in the morning, clearing to gorgeous sunshine for the rest of the day. When it comes to...

How to hang your framed wall collection
How to hang your framed wall collection

One of our most popular products is our six-frame wall collection, and for good reason. They're a beautiful way to display your family's different personalities and relationships and also get that ubiquitous whole-family photo frame at the same time. At your Big...

What is the best age to photograph my baby
What is the best age to photograph my baby

When it comes to photographing babies, the most common question is – what is the best age? Just as every bubba is different, their “age of optimal cuteness” will also vary and depend on many factors, including you! Some new parents are desperate to capture their...

The best time of day for a family portrait session
The best time of day for a family portrait session

After choosing your photographer, the next most important decision is deciding when to hold your session. Firstly ask yourselves some big questions: What time of day are your kids generally at their happiest and most interactive? When is their life totally free of...

The Whole Clan
The Whole Clan

Our clients often ask us if they can bring other family members to their portrait session and for us, the answer is always yes! The more the merrier 🙂 It's so rare these days to get the whole family together for some beautiful photographs - something that might only...

All the way from Tasmania
All the way from Tasmania

This family portrait session with Camille and Rob and their four gorgeous kids Evie, Harper, Jude and Archie was an especially special one. The family actually lives in Hobart but had heard from their close friends how much fun Iain’s sessions are and wanted in! So we...

What to wear for your portrait session
What to wear for your portrait session

We get asked this question a lot, and the perfect answer is different for everybody of course, but there are a few tips that can really help. If you follow the advice below, you’ll give yourself the best chance of getting the gorgeous, flattering pictures you’re...

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