Thinking Inside the Box : A New Perspective on Family Portraits
We’ve all seen it—and let’s be honest, we all love it: the classic Kiwi family portrait. Everyone is barefoot on the sand at Mt Maunganui, the sun is hitting the tussock grass just right, and "The Mount" stands tall in the background. It’s a timeless look for a reason.
But as a mama to a large, growing family, I know the behind-the-scenes reality of those "perfect" shots. Trying to get every child, teenager, and adult looking at the camera with their eyes open at the exact same millisecond is like trying to herd cats.
Recently, we decided to try a little experiment that flipped the script. Instead of thinking outside the box, we went straight inside of it.
The "Mama" Reality Check
I’ll be vulnerable for a second: after the Christmas indulgence, I wasn't exactly feeling like a supermodel. Standing next to my daughters—who are growing into such stunningly beautiful young women—I was feeling a bit frumpy. Between my eldest hitting the 6ft mark and my 14-year-old son transforming into a strong young man, the physical changes in our family are beautiful, but they can also make a mum feel a little... well, old and "lumpy."
That’s the magic of the Box Session.
Why the Box Works
This wasn't just a quirky photo op; it was a confidence booster. Here is why this format is a game-changer for big families:
The Great Equalizer: It puts us all on the same height level. No more feeling short or awkward next to my towering teens.
Focus on the Face: By cropping out the "lumps and bumps" I was self-conscious about, the focus stays on our expressions and our connection.
No Pressure Performance: Believe it or not, we weren't all in those boxes at once! Each person (and pet!) took their turn in the same box separately. This meant we could focus on getting the best shot of each individual without worrying if someone else was blinking or pulling a face.
Pets Included: Our cat and dog are part of the family, too! Trying to get a dog to sit still while three teenagers behave is impossible. In the box? It’s a breeze.
The Magic of Post-Production
The finished product looks like a giant cubby-hole of family love, but the "magic" happened in the editing room. By compositing the individual shots together, we created a masterpiece that captures everyone’s personality perfectly—without the stress of a traditional shoot.
I love that we still have our beach photos, but this "Inside the Box" experiment gave us something modern, artistic, and—most importantly—made me feel comfortable in front of the lens again.
Are you ready to try something different for your next family session? Whether you want the classic Mount background or a quirky box composite like ours, I’d love to help you capture your family exactly as they are.