Mat Tam is an experienced family photographer who has made hundreds of professional portraits for families across Boston and the wider area. A friendly, unhurried service is assured, with beautiful, tasteful portraits that last the test of time.

Mat works with you to understand your taste and style, discussing what you want before creating a portrait that suits your family. Everyone is welcome on session day — grandparents, relatives, and family pets included.

Portrait locations in Boston

Boston is a beautiful city, and you’ll find more picturesque, quirky or classic places to shoot than in most cities in the country. Whether it’s a portrait on Boston Common, a quieter scene by the Charles River, or something more contemporary downtown, Mat has the experience to deliver it. If you’d like ideas, see the best places to take pictures in Boston.

Candid moments, and timeless family portraiture

Capturing the right moment — so a portrait looks professional yet spontaneous — is an art form in itself. Natural light is used wherever possible, and real effort goes into making every member of your family feel relaxed.

Hundreds of clients hang these moments in pride of place at home. That’s the Mat Tam Photography way.

Children in family portraits

One of the hardest parts of family photography is photographing a child well. The emphasis here is always on letting your child do what they want during the session. Giving them a degree of freedom is what produces happy, carefree, spontaneous photographs — that perfect slice of family life.

Expecting? Have a look at maternity photography, which works beautifully as a first session before your family grows.

Ten family portrait tips

1. Location — if you can, choose somewhere with meaning to your family. A simple portrait in a much-loved family home often carries more weight ten years later, once you’ve moved. Mat can work almost anywhere across Boston and the surrounding towns.
2. Arranging people — how your family is arranged makes a real difference to the balance of a shot. Bring as many people as you can; differing heights help. Expect to get close together — large gaps between people are for school photos and corporate stock images.
3. Light and squinting — good light hits you at slightly less than a right angle, illuminating the face without making anyone squint. Someone always squints anyway, which is why many frames get taken and only the best are kept.
4. The photographer calls the shot — there is usually one family member keen to direct. Let Mat lead; it’s his job to turn your vision into a photograph.
5. Small family shots — including only the immediate family opens up more angles, locations and variety, and makes for a more intimate, relaxed session.
6. Be open to something different — families in age order, or anything a bit playful, often becomes the favourite frame. The youngest members of your family are the best tool you have for this.
7. Reportage style — working discreetly and photographing what actually happens. Most frames get deleted, but the ones that survive are the warm, unguarded ones.
8. Split the group — often the most touching photographs aren’t of everyone at once, but of specific relationships. Father and daughter, grandparents with grandchildren, the children alone.
9. It’s all about the kids — children are too busy playing to stop for a formal portrait, so the session uses that instead of fighting it. The best child portraits happen when a child is happy and carefree.
10. Just relax — you might feel self-conscious. That’s normal, and it passes about ten minutes in.

Five creative family poses

Most professional photographers aren’t fans of the traditional posed portrait — it can feel insincere. Modern family portraits are about spontaneous moments: laughter, movement, real expressions.

1. The secret — one person whispers to another. It barely matters who; people react with the same mischievous, warm smile every time. Works wonders with couples, small children, and siblings.
2. Holding hands — the family unit instantly feels closer and more connected. Running towards the camera makes it dynamic; swinging a small child between two arms is a classic.
3. Surprise — the children sneak up and climb on. The spontaneity of it produces something that simply cannot be faked.
4. The big family hug — whoever has the longest arms gets everyone in. Easy to attempt, harder to pull off, worth it when it lands.
5. The kid sandwich — children in the middle, parents outside, then squeeze. The broad smile right in the centre of the frame is why this one endures.

More family sessions

Don’t be afraid to ask

Whatever questions you have, however small they seem, Mat has heard them before. It’s worth asking as much as you like before the day so you can relax on the day itself. And if you’re feeling nervous during the session, just say so — not everyone enjoys being photographed, and that’s something an experienced photographer can work with.

• View my family session prices
• See recent sessions on my family photography blog
• The best places to take pictures in Boston
• Fall family photos
• Burlington family photographer · Winchester family photographer