What Do I Do With My Hands During Family Photos?

I can tell when someone has become aware of their hands during a photo session. One second we're talking, and the next they're hanging at your sides like two things you've never seen before.

It happens to almost everybody. Here are a few easy places to put them while we're taking family photos.

Use your pockets, but leave part of your hand out

Pockets are great. Shoving your whole hand all the way into one can make your arm look stiff, though, and sometimes your hand disappears completely.

Try putting four fingers in and leaving your thumb out, or hook your thumb in and leave your fingers out. Both give your hand somewhere to go while keeping your arm relaxed. You do not have to memorize which version looks better. I'll tell you if I want you to switch.

Give your hands something small to do

Tuck your hair behind your ear. Touch your necklace. Adjust a sleeve. These are tiny movements, but they help when you're wondering whether your hands are supposed to be doing something. They also tend to make more sense in a photo than holding a pose you've never made in your life.

You can move between them, too. I may photograph the little moment while you're fixing your hair rather than ask you to freeze with your hand there.

Better yet, touch someone you love

Rest a hand on your partner's arm. Put it on your kid's back while they tell you a very long story. Hold a little hand, pull someone close, or brush hair out of their face. Now your hands have a job, and I get to photograph how you are together.

If your kid has other ideas and immediately wriggles away, that's fine. We can keep moving.

You don't have to figure it out before you get here

During family sessions in the Catskills and Hudson Valley, I give direction as we go. If I see a hand disappearing into a pocket or an arm looking uncomfortable, I'll say something. You can spend your time with your family and leave the hand logistics to me.

And if you forget every tip in this post the second I lift my camera, just reach for one of your people. That's usually where your hands wanted to be anyway.