Family Film vs Still Photography for Your Family Adventure. Which to Choose?

10 years ago, if you had asked me to choose between a still photography portrait session or a short family film for my family memories, there would have been absolutely zero hesitation in choosing a standard lifestyle portrait session. One I can print from.

A little over 10 years ago, I dove into my love for art through photography. Since then, it has grown in different colors, modes, and styles. I am one to believe that there is not just 1 style that is more you, nor is there just one style you have to stick to. Why not explore them all! Like each family and individual, the session should be unique to them. Still photography allowed me to capture and tell the story frame by frame. A moment is frozen in time, where you can pause and reflect on that memory before moving on to the next.

Flash forward to today, after dabbling in family films for a little bit, the power of movement and voice captured and held onto forever now has a very special part in my heart.

So how do you choose between scheduling a Portrait session and a Film/Video session?

Regardless of how trendy short-format videos are spiraling these days, still photography will never die. Photography continues to evolve over time. We saw it go from polaroids to film to digital in repeating cycles. All 3 are still popular and each serves its own purpose in the photography world. As a matter of fact, I just purchased my 10yo her very first camera, a Polaroid. I knew she would love the capability to have the photo physically almost immediately.

Photography is capable of telling your story and your adventure one frame at a time. Take this girl’s trip we took over the summer as an example & the story followed by images.

What are some Pros and Cons of still photography vs video/filming?

Pros

Editing out unwanted subjects and objects is easier
Good poses are likely
Can be framed and displayed almost anywhere
Photo session take less time in the field

Cons

No audio
no live emotions
Can capture a smile, and a giggle, but can not capture the personalities intimately

Capturing a photo session at the beach or a family adventure on video is not yet popular to mainstream parents. Family films can be intimidating not just to the client, but the photographer too. However, once you build that trust, you will never regret creating a family film of your adventure. A film of your family does not have to take place every year like that of your holiday photos. Instead, focus on milestones or special moments. For example, leave the holiday sessions to still photography, and opt for a Mother’s Day session to be on film. You have your special hugs, dances, and voice captured for your children to remember.

In our example, because i was the photographer and the goal was to spend less time behind the camera, the in between times were spend just capturing random carefree moments to celebrate us being together. This included us playing board games, splashing at the beach, and then the whole family just beachbumming.

Pros

Capture audio in the moment
Ability to record a love letter or words of wisdom to be included
captures the little ones joy, personalities, and funnies
evokes raw emotion
customized to tell your legacy, your story, and preserve every movement

Cons (possible)

sessions are longer
navigating your “good” side may more challenging
editing out unwanted subjects and objects is more challenging
more expensive

So what would I choose today? Well, if I am needing some portraits for framing, holiday cards, or album, then still photography of course! If i want to capture an adventure or a special moment, then family film for sure! However, you can have both!!!

Most photographers will offer both at the same time, however, one always takes precedence and will be the main focus. The other format will be the added bonus, and sometimes that is all you need.