Becoming a full-time professional photographer was never a part of Macy Alex’s life plan, but after taking an award-winning photo at the age of 15, she fell head over heels for documenting life through a camera lens.
However, it wasn’t a straight path from high school to full-time business owner. Macy Alex spent the majority of her twenties as a marketer in the corporate world while running her small business on the side. After a decade of dreaming, this past January Macy Alex took the leap and went full-time with Macy Alex Photography in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex.
Macy Alex primarily focuses on family portraits and shared her top five tips for getting the perfect family shot.
Macy Alex’s top five tips
1. Get your kid’s buy-in
Photos tend to turn out better when parents have their kids' permission, and have them fully engaged in taking photos. Depending on how old the child is, different techniques can produce different results.
“When I work with kids, it’s important to let their age and personality guide the session,” Macy Alex said. “Just telling them to stand still and smile is not going to work. With kids, you need to be interactive and grab their interest without being forceful. Find a common ground like a song or a game and use that to get them excited and smiling. Bribery also works wonders.”
2. Choose the pose and spot that works best for your family
While many family portraits tend to be shot outside, Macy Alex encourages families to think about where they will be the most comfortable. If a family isn’t used to being outside or doesn’t like being posed, the negative energy can show through the photos.
3. Be patient
According to Macy Alex, nothing needs to be rushed when it comes to taking family photos. Taking photos is supposed to be fun for families, and if the shoot needs to be rescheduled due to illness or weather, Macy Alex will work with families to make sure they get the perfect date and time for their family.
“Kids are still going to be kids,” Macy Alex said. “If they're in a new location, they may have a hard time adjusting and might act out because they’re still trying to figure out where they are. A lot of people respond differently to new things and when you’re a kid pretty much everything seems twice as big, which can be very overwhelming, so by giving your child time to adjust to their new environment—even just a few minutes—you may increase your chance at better family photos.”
4. Do not criticize anyone in the photo
Criticizing people during a photo shoot, especially teenagers, usually does not result in happy photos. No one wants to be told that their smile is weird or that the outfit they chose to wear isn’t flattering, especially when they’re already on location and can’t change. Instead of focusing on what’s wrong with the photos, parents are encouraged to work with their children and focus on the good.
5. Play and engage with your family
At the end of the day, family portraits are supposed to be a fun time where memories are captured. To get joyful photos, Macy Alex encourages parents to engage and play with their kids.
“If you really want a genuine smile from your child, make them laugh with a stupid joke, stick your tongue out, throw them in the air, run around and play tag—it’s not hard to get a smile out of your child if you’re willing to be a little silly,” Macy Alex said. “A lot of what I offer is lifestyle family photos so most of the time it seems like we are all just playing and I happen to have a camera in my hand documenting the moments.”
To schedule a session with Macy Alex Photography, visit the website or call 832-888-9292.
The above story was produced by Community Impact's Senior Multi Platform Journalist Sierra Rozen with information solely provided by the local business as part of its "sponsored content" purchase through our advertising team.
