Aside from several pretty lighting options and a nice backdrop for your family pictures, it has a lot of practical benefits as well. Itâs near to parking so we donât have to unload the car and then also make a long trek out to the actual spot. It look steep but Iâve done it flip flops and parents have had no problem even carrying a toddler while the come down or back up.
This is actually GREAT for your session - I LOVE when I have a mini-tornado at a session because the photos always turn out so fun! Lots of upside-down swings, airplane rides, tossing, and goofy faces. Donât worry. We got this.
We all enjoy the convenience digital image files provides but are they as effective as their printed counterparts? Nope! Not according to experts, anyway.
If youâre looking to book family photos in Temple, TX or the Ft. Hood area, you may have come to just the right place! Momming 3 kids + 10 years as a family photographer have given me the rare ability to create some beautiful moments out of these fleeting, crazy days. Youâll find that my style when it comes to a family photography session is fun, real, sweet, sometimes silly, but always true to you.
As the old real estate adage goes, âLocation, location, location!â
In my opinion, the âwhereâ of your family session should be a personal choice. The location you choose can highlight facets of your familyâs personality, and add even more layers of memories for future-you to look back on fondly.
PSST⌠I made you a location quiz! Scroll down to the very end if you want to skip the reading! đ
As you plan your next session, here are some location types to consider.
Personal + outrageously convenient.
Not just for newborn sessions, your home is the heart of your life. There are SO many pros to using your own home for your family portraits, but here are just a few:
đ˝ It is convenient! No drive time, no wrinkling outfits or changing at the location. The bathroom is handy. The kitchen is handy (hello, snacks!).
đ Everyone is already comfortable there. This is extra helpful if you have a sensitive or shy member of the family.
đž Itâs easy to include the furry family members.
đź It is already a reflection of your family! Your style, important mementos, family heirlooms, etc., are all within reach.
You may be thinking your house would have to be spotless. THAT IS A LIE (she says in an Umbridge-like voice). I donât even know what spotless looks like anymoreâI donât expect you to make that miracle happen.
We will only use 2 or 3 rooms anyway. Plus, the outdoors is still an option. The photograph below was taken in this familyâs yard where they spend a lot of their time together.
Just because weâre at home, doesnât mean we have to stay indoors.
The world is always a beautiful backdrop for family portraits. It can be soft, dramatic, or even minimal. Choosing to have an outdoor session comes with endless possibilities but should still play up some of your familyâs uniqueness and be practical if possible.
When youâre trying to come up with a specific spot, here are some things to think about:
đ˛ Where do you go as a family when you spend time outdoors?
â¤ď¸ Is there a spot that is sentimental to you? Like where you got engaged or went on your first date?
đ Is there parking nearby or are we hiking a bit?
đ Is anyone afraid of, or, canât be trusted around water?
𪨠Is one of your munchkins a runner/climber/etc. where safety is a concern?
đĄ What is the weather like around the time of the session? Does that make being outside less appealing?
đ Does your home have decor that would work with or against the look or color palette of the location?
The creek at Rotary Park in Clarksville is beautiful at sunset.
Who doesnât love a stroll down main street? Heading downtown makes your city part of your story!
These are favorite sessions of mine because we always work in some of your favorite haunts and probably use little tucked away nooks and crannies you havenât noticed before.
Itâs also the perfect opportunity to work in a fun activity, like a family ice cream date, giving your session oodles of variety and a nice bribe for the kids!
Downtown Clarksville can be on display, or we can just use industrial elements and textures.
The romance of travel has always come through art. Literature, painting, music, and of course, photography. Itâs inspirational to experience new things and if that is something you like to do as a family, it should absolutely be in your family portraits!
Alternatively, consistently visiting the same place regularlyâ like a cabin in the woods, or a favorite beachâ is an excellent reason to use that for your family session location as well.
Bonus: YOU donât have to take all the photos which means less stress, or at least less to do, and no one is left out because theyâre behind the camera!
Core Memory made.
So, which one are you choosing for your next session? Let me know in the comments!
Are you still at a loss? Or maybe ALL of them sound good? The Family Session Location Quiz will help you to figure out where your next session should be! Enter your info below and youâll get the Location Quiz sent to your inbox!
Iâm writing this in the midst of frustration. Weâll see what I decide to actually publishâŚ
Right now the oldest is playing, the 4 year old is at preschool, and the baby is sleeping. Right now is my work time, the time where I take off my mom/wife hat and get to put on my photographer/CEO hat. For the record, the mom hat is usually a ball cap covered in food and spit and the photographer hat is super cute and trendy. There is a teeny tiny fraction of the day when these things line up. Itâs actually only three days a week⌠but whoâs counting?! Me. Iâm counting.
Mom and Dad wanted her to have zero doubt in her mind that they love her, are proud of her, and are here for her no matter what! They both took this session to heart and had their own ideas to add. Dad created a playlist for his little girl and brought a big speaker so that he could play it during the session. Mom had poses that were special to the two of them that she wanted photographed as well. It was all so so beautiful to be a part of.
