As a photographer, my children end up being in a lot of photographs. Most of the time when it is for an assignment, it’s not super fun for them. It’s generally a whole lot of standing around. So any time I can make taking family photos fun, I go for it! I want them to find joy in being in front of a camera and not boredom so that, as they get older, they will still be willing to be in my photographs. It’s been a while since we have taken a family photograph. My husband and I were talking about fun memorable things to do this summer he suggested a “paint fight.” I knew this would be a great new way to get that family photo I had been hoping for. I was totally on board. I knew the boys would love it. I’m not always the greatest with messes so I knew they would also be amazed that I was giving them free reign to cover me in paint! Finally, when Rachel asked me to do a post about my love of OxiClean I knew this would be the perfect test.

• Washable non-toxic paint
• Plain backdrop like white photo paper on a roll with a stand or a foam core board 
• Plain shirts for everyone in the photos
• Sunglasses or safety googles (safety first!)
• A camera or a phone
• OxiClean™ White Revive™ Laundry Stain Remover Powder or OxiClean™ Versatile Stain Remover

Step 1
To set up your mini home studio, choose a place with great light and an area that you don’t mind getting covered in paint. My favorite option is the garage. Open your garage door and place your backdrop just a few feet into it. You want your backdrop and subject to just barely be in the shade. Why not just do it outside? Using the garage allows you to cover your subject from overhead light and eliminating any harsh shadows. By facing them out toward the light you are letting light from the front fall onto your subject. Front lighting eliminates shadows and creates a even, flattering light on your subject.

Step 2
Take a portrait of each family member without paint on them while the background is still white. Make sure your subjects are wearing sunglasses or safety googles to protect their eyes. Then, go for it! Let all the little people in your life grab a hand full of paint and throw it at each other one at a time. We tried flicking paint brushes but found it was much more effective (and fun) to just let them use their hands and throw the paint.

Step 3
Use a fast shutter speed and freeze the movement of the paint as it flies! (If you don’t know what that means, it’s okay; just use the sports setting on your camera.) If you are using your phone, keep in mind that the camera phone doesn’t take the photo until you let go of the button on the screen. So, pre-focus on your subject, hold the button down, and release it as the paint flies! It will give you a better chance at capturing the action.

As you can see, the results are super fun family photos. I put them together in a grid in Photoshop and plan on printing them all as 16×20’s to hang in our house. The best part about it was my oldest guy telling me it was the most fun he had ever had at a photo shoot. We ended the morning with a giant paint fight. It was really fun to just let go and enjoy playing with my kids.

Step 4
Time for the clean up! At the end of it all, I made them change in the entry way and I took their clothes right to the washer. After the actual shoot I worried a bit. We threw SO much paint. I didn’t know if OxiClean would really be able to get it out. I rinsed off the excess paint first and then threw the white tees into the washing machine with the OxiClean. I soaked them in water and OxiClean™ White Revive™ Laundry Stain Remover Powder overnight, following the instructions on the packaging. Then, I washed them in the morning. I use OxiClean all the time on my day to day laundry but I’ve never tested it this way. I was pretty amazed at the results.

I hope you try this shoot with your own family. I think you could do so many fun things with the same basic idea: food fights, water splashing, confetti, or glitter throwing. The possibilities are endless and just a little bit easier to clean up with OxiClean on your side! I just know you will create lasting memories. It’s awesome to be a fun mom, eh?

This post was sponsored by OxiClean through their partnership with POPSUGAR Select. While I was compensated to write a post about OxiClean Stain, all opinions are my own.