One of my most frequently asked questions is how I handle tricky lighting. I get it—dialing in camera settings for family photos on the fly can feel like a high-stakes game, where every second counts, and the pressure is on to capture that perfect moment.

But here’s the good news—by using manual mode, you can take control of every detail! Imagine capturing the sweetness of a newborn or the laughter of a family without worrying about harsh sunlight or dim indoor lighting. This blog post will walk you through capturing every shot perfectly, no matter the setting.

This post is Part One of my new Camera Settings series. In this post, you’ll learn how to set ISO, shutter speed, and aperture. These three settings let you capture the joy of family moments exactly as you see them. No more missed smiles or blurry toddlers!

Want to keep these tips handy while you’re on a family shoot? Grab my free Exposure Cheat Sheet for Family Sessions—perfect for keeping those special moments just right.

Meet the Exposure Triangle!

Here’s the thing: when we nail exposure, it breathes life into your clients’ photos! Getting this right lets you capture and highlight the magic of every moment during a family session. That’s why dialing in your camera settings in family photos matters so much. You’ll move faster, won’t get tripped up by settings mid-shoot, and can focus on what really counts—drawing out your clients’ personalities. The result? A smoother experience for them and next-level images for you!

ISO: Light Sensitivity

When you’re shooting indoors or in low light (think cozy nursery vibes), bumping up your ISO can save the day and brighten up your shot. But with newborns, you’ll want to watch for graininess—too much, and those sweet, tiny details can get lost. Exposing correctly in camera will save the integrity of your images and speed up your editing time later! 

Personally, I like to start at ISO 800 for indoor sessions and ISO 400 for outdoor daytime, then adjust as needed. This little routine helps me capture those precious moments crystal-clear and keeps the quality right where I want it!

Shutter Speed: Freezing Family Fun

Shutter speed is everything with fast-moving kids. A quick shutter locks in all that laughter and play, so even if they’re on the move, you’ll keep those little faces crystal-clear. And for newborns who stay mostly still? Slow it down a bit to capture those soft, dreamy details without the blur. Want more tips on shutter speed magic for wriggly toddlers and sweet newborns? This post has you covered!

• Pro tip: To avoid motion blur, follow the “double-the-lens rule”: set your shutter speed to at least twice your lens length. For example, with an 85mm lens, this means a minimum of about 1/170s. So, when choosing between 1/125s and 1/250s, I’d go with 1/250s. Why? Because 1/125s might not be fast enough to freeze the action of those little ones. Using 1/250s gives you that extra sharpness and helps avoid motion blur, which is crucial when capturing those quick, fleeting moments toddlers are known for! Personally, I prefer to keep my shutter speed at 1/500s or higher when I want to freeze motion. With active kids, every bit of extra shutter speed helps freeze those unpredictable moves, ensuring you don’t miss a moment! If you want to incorporate some intentional blur, then by all means, slow that shutter speed down and play around with it! 

Aperture: Bringing the focus to your Subject

A wide aperture (like f/1.8 or f/2.8) gives a soft background, commonly known as bokeh, making families or tiny baby toes pop! A smaller aperture, like f/3.5 or f/4 often works well for capturing everyone in focus, perfect for smile-at-the-camera family photos where you want to see each face clearly.

Pick the Right Camera Settings for Family Photos with Different Lighting

Family sessions throw all kinds of light at you! One minute it’s overcast, the next you’re squinting through the bright sun. Here are a few quick tips to tackle whatever light shows up on shoot day!

Bright Outdoor Sessions

On sunny days, lower ISO, higher shutter speeds, and smaller aperture settings help avoid overexposure and keep details clear. This lets you capture each family member’s expressions without washed-out backgrounds.

Low Light for Cozy Indoor Shoots

In low-light situations (like those cozy newborn sessions at home), raise the ISO and open up your aperture to let in all the light you can. If the baby’s still, you can definitely get away with slower shutter speeds. But if you’re feeling a little shaky, lean against a wall or rest your camera on something solid. This little trick keeps your details sharp and lets you capture those sweet, fleeting moments without any blur! Now, if you’ve got busy toddlers in the frame, be sure to check out this blog post on how I tackle capturing those energetic little ones!

Mixed Light During Golden Hour

For those dreamy sunset family photos, start things off with a medium ISO and a wide aperture to soak up all that gorgeous natural light while steering clear of harsh shadows. Don’t forget to tweak your shutter speed for that warm, golden glow! Just a heads up— as the sun sets, you’ll want to keep adjusting your settings to let in even more light.

I want to hear from you: What lighting do you find the trickiest for family or newborn photos? Drop your thoughts in the comments below—I genuinely want to know!

Try These Practice Exercises for Family & Newborn Sessions

Practice these settings to capture every little moment.

Golden Hour Family Portraits

During golden hour, play around with different apertures to help families stand out against that stunning, colorful sky. You’ll be amazed at the variety of images you can create in your gallery with this!

Newborn Details Challenge

Practice capturing those sweet indoor details, like your child’s tiny hands or a mom cradling her baby’s feet. Tweak your ISO, aperture, and shutter speed to find that perfect balance for a cozy, intimate vibe. Personally, I like to set my shutter speed first, then adjust the ISO, and finally dial in the aperture. This little workflow helps me lock in those heartwarming moments just right!

Motion Freeze for Playful Kids

Find a lively subject—think your child or pet playing and running around—and practice using a high shutter speed to freeze the action and capture those sharp, joyful expressions. Practicing in a low-pressure environment will boost your confidence and help you create vibrant, life-filled images during your family sessions!

Something to leave you with…

In this post, we dove headfirst into mastering camera settings for family photos! I truly believe that with a solid grasp of the Exposure Triangle, you’ll be set to capture those bright family moments, dreamy newborn shots, and every sweet, special memory in between.

Up next in Part 2 of our Camera Settings series—I’ll break down how ISO, shutter speed, and aperture work together, so you can master your camera settings and shoot with confidence! Read Part Two here!

Did you find this post helpful? I’d love to hear your thoughts, so drop a note in the comments below! And don’t forget to snag your free quick reference below!

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Hi there! I’m Haley!

After a decade of photographing families, I’ve learned that the best images are the most honest.

Now, I help other photographers create connection-led sessions that feel natural, not forced. Whether you’re navigating your first family shoot or looking to elevate your client experience, I’m here to share what I’ve learned (the hard way!) so you don’t have to.

When I’m not behind the camera or mentoring other photographers, I’m probably chasing my two little girls, planning our next taco night, or squeezing in golden hour just for fun. I’m so glad you’re here!

I’m so glad you’re here! Want to see more behind-the-scenes? Come say hi 👋 and connect with me on Instagram.