Sometimes the simplest family photos end up being my favorites.
No elaborate backgrounds, no complicated outfits, and no props to worry about. Just your family, a clean backdrop, and all those little personalities that make your family yours.
For this family session at Dottie & Jo Studio, we kept things really simple with white shirts, jeans, and two studio backgrounds: a white cyclorama wall and a natural wood slat wall.
And I love how much personality comes through in these images!
Why I Love White Backdrop Family Photos
There's something about photographing a family against a simple white background that I absolutely love.
When you take away all the distractions, you start noticing the things that really matter.
The way siblings interact with each other. The different expressions everyone makes. The way kids naturally lean into their parents or find a way to make each other laugh.
Those are the things I want to photograph.
With a white studio backdrop, there's nothing competing for your attention. No busy scenery or background details pulling your eye away from the people in the photo.
It's just your family being your family.
And honestly, that's more than enough.
White Shirts and Jeans: Keeping Family Outfits Simple
One of the questions I get asked most often before family pictures is what everyone should wear.
And while I love a beautifully coordinated wardrobe, sometimes you really can't go wrong with white shirts and jeans.
It's simple, comfortable, and doesn't require spending weeks trying to find the perfect outfit for every member of the family.
For this session, the white shirts worked beautifully against both the white cyclorama wall and the wooden slat background.
The white-on-white look kept everything bright and clean, while the denim added just enough contrast.
The wood slat wall gave us a little more warmth and texture without taking attention away from the family.
Two really simple looks, and both put the focus exactly where I wanted it.
Family Photos That Let Personalities Shine
I think sometimes we put so much pressure on family pictures to look perfect that we forget what we're actually trying to capture.
Your kids don't need to stand perfectly still with their hands folded in front of them. Everyone doesn't need to have the exact same smile in every photo.
In fact, some of my favorite images happen in between those perfectly posed moments.
I love getting the traditional family portrait where everyone is looking at the camera, but I also want the photos where personalities come through.
The laughing, the teasing, the kids who can't help being a little silly.
A simple studio setting gives us room for all of that.
And because we're not worrying about the location or what's happening in the background, we can spend more time focusing on the people in front of the camera.
A Different Look for Family Pictures in Utah
Living in Utah, we're lucky to have some pretty incredible places to take family photos. Mountains, open fields, fall colors, and beautiful scenery are everywhere.
And I love photographing families outdoors!
But there's also something really refreshing about a studio family session.
You don't have to worry about the weather, the wind blowing everyone's hair around, or trying to catch the perfect light before the sun goes down.
A studio session also gives you a clean, timeless look that works beautifully in your home.
White backdrop family photos are especially versatile because they don't compete with your decor. Whether you have a modern home, a traditional space, or something in between, these images fit right in.
And years from now, the focus will still be on the people in the photos rather than the trends or scenery surrounding them.
Studio Family Photography in Davis County and Salt Lake City
For families in Davis County and Salt Lake City who want something a little different from traditional outdoor family pictures, a simple studio session is such a great option.
Whether you're updating family photos for the first time in years or just want to capture your kids exactly as they are right now, you don't need an elaborate location to create images you'll love.
Sometimes all you need is a white wall, a few people you love, and a little room for everyone's personality to shine.
And I think that's what makes these photos so special.
