Why an Outdoor Location is Perfect for Your Family Photo Session

Time seems to fly by when you have a family. Before you know it, they’ll be out of the nest, making lives of their own. Now’s the time to treasure those precious fleeting moments by having them documented by a trained professional. Having your family’s pictures taken by a professional photographer can lead to beautiful pictures you’ll treasure for a lifetime.

Whether you have snow, sunshine, or even an impending rainstorm, an outdoor location for your next family photo session can be just the setting you need to create an unforgettable set of images. Here are some reasons why an outdoor location might be perfect for your family’s next professional photo session.

Natural Light

One of the secret weapons professional photographers use to create gorgeous pictures is natural light. The golden natural light that you can find in the early hours of the morning and the late afternoon, an hour before the sun goes down, is magical. It casts a beautiful glow and can really bring out the color and highlights in people’s eyes.

The natural light you find in outdoor settings will make your photos beautiful without any extra effort. But to make the most of it, you’ll want to stay away from the harsh mid-day light that will leave everyone in the picture squinting.

No Studio Limitations

When you’re taking photos outside, you’re not confined by the walls of a studio, which means you can really get creative with your poses. It also allows your kids to play and have fun, which is great for candid shots. By ditching the walls of the studio, you’ll get to explore what photos work best instead of having to work in a small space.

The Addition of Natural Props

Natural props will be a big trend this year. Instead of using generic items from their closets, people now want to incorporate the natural beauty of flowers, leaves, trees, and fruit into their photos.

Think how adorable your family would look in professional photos where you’re all bundled up, holding a sled and getting ready to enjoy an afternoon of winter fun, or holding a basket of apples at a local orchard. So many interesting items and colors outside will work beautifully for breathtaking family portrait photos.

Relaxation

Being in a familiar outdoor setting is much more relaxing for families than spending time in an unfamiliar studio. This is particularly true if you’re dealing with younger children, who might get anxious or uptight in a studio where they’re not allowed to touch anything and have to behave the whole time.

Giving your kids the space and freedom to expend energy and be themselves can make your photo session a lot less stressful. It can also result in more natural expressions because your kids will be in their element, and you’ll be less stressed knowing there is nothing they can break if they’re outside.

Capture Your Surroundings and Your History

Your neighborhood and surroundings are just as much a part of your life as your family is. When you choose an outdoor location, you get to freeze this moment in time and remember your surroundings just as they are at this time – you never know when your neighborhood might look completely different.

When your kids are older, it will be fun for them to see their old, familiar haunts. It will bring back those precious memories of spending time with you as a family unit in places that were important to them.

Incorporate Your Pets

If your furry friends are an integral part of your family and you would love to include them in your photos, an outdoor location makes this a lot easier. Some studios may not allow pets, and even if they do, it can be nerve-wracking when you have to watch them around expensive camera equipment and backdrops. When they’re in a small studio, curious, high-energy pets can get into trouble if you’re not careful.

Plus, how often have you watched your children playing with your pets and wished you had captured that precious moment? An outdoor setting can be the perfect opportunity for that. You can head to the local park where you always walk your dogs for a memorable family photo that will warm your heart every time you look at it.

Head Outside to Get Some Ideas

The best way to find the right outdoor location for your professional photographs is to start exploring. Ask your kids to go for a drive with you while you explore scenic locations you don’t know and visit some of your favorite places to scan their photo potential.

If you’re unsure which outdoor location would be the ideal backdrop for your upcoming photo session, speak to your photographer about a few suggestions that might work well for you and your family.

Originally published at Suvi Tory