Are Professional Studio Family Photos Still a Thing?

Remember the Old-School Photography Studio Sessions?

If you grew up in the 90s or early 2000s, you probably remember the family photo ritual. Your parents would round everyone up in their nicest (and sometimes matching) outfits, and you’d head to a photographer’s studio — or, more likely, the local JCPenney.

You’d walk into a stuffy room with plain backdrops, big hot lights, and a couple of chairs. Everyone would be told to sit perfectly still and smile. And if you were caught goofing off? Someone would quickly tell you to knock it off.

These portraits were a big deal. Parents planned them for weeks, and the final images hung in hallways for years until it was time to do it all over again. For many of us, those formal portraits are a core memory — and let’s be honest, they inspired plenty of the “awkward family photo” jokes that still circulate today.

And then there were the glamour shots: boas, big hair, dramatic makeup, and lots of mall portrait sessions for kids. Iconic? Yes. Cringe-worthy now? Also yes.

The Studio Stigma

So when I tell people I do studio portraits, I almost always see a little wince. I get it,  if your only experience with studio photos is the stiff, overly posed, or slightly cheesy images of the past, it makes sense.

But here’s the thing: studio photography has evolved.

Welcome to Hi + Hello Studio

At Hi + Hello Studio in Emeryville, we’re doing things differently.

The light: Forget the giant, hot studio lights that made everyone sweaty and shiny. This is a natural light studio with floor-to-ceiling windows on two walls. The light is soft, beautiful, and flattering all day long.

The space: This isn’t a beige backdrop and a stiff chair. The studio has clean white walls, colorful furniture, and rotating seamless backdrops in bold colors. We use playful, modern setups that bring your portraits to life.

The vibe: Yes, we’re in a studio. No, it’s not stuffy. Kids aren’t told to sit still or behave perfectly. Families aren’t over-posed. Instead, the studio is a place to run, laugh, climb, twirl, and create portraits that showcase your personalities.

So, Are Studio Photos Still a Thing?

Absolutely. But they’re not what you remember.

Today’s studio portraits are colorful, modern, and full of life. They’re less about stiff smiles and more about capturing your family’s energy. At Hi + Hello Studio, the goal is simple: create fun, love-filled, personality-packed portraits in a space designed for play.

So no, studio family photos aren’t a thing of the past. They’ve just grown up with us, and now they’re more fun than ever.

Ready to experience it for yourself?