11 Outdoor Family Photo Ideas
Today I’m talking family photos outside. I know sometimes it can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re committed to doing them every year. But I’m here to give you my top tips and advice over many years of experience photographing families outdoors. I hope by the end of reading this, I can shift your mindset just a tad about the way you look at family photos.
Use Your Home
These photos were taken in the client’s backyard. They obviously have acreage and beautiful, mature trees, but you don’t have to have those things to make it successful! Most front and backyards are workable, unless there are extreme conditions like construction. If they idea of taking extra time to drive to a location adds to your stress, let’s chat about an outdoor photoshoot at home! If you want to see more from the Clouse Family Backyard Photoshoot, you can check it out here.
2. Be Mindful and Present
Use this time that you’ve set aside to connect. Instead of stressing and wanting everything to be perfect, trust the process. Show up with an open heart, take deep breaths and enjoy the outdoors with your kids. It’s my job to gently guide and give prompts that will originate a family’s true essence. Kids will be kids, and we like that! Husbands will also be husbands… and we work with both. I let the kids set the tone and I center the shoot around the needs I see and try to create situations where I can capture their authentic personalities. You, as the parent, get to participate and soak them in. I also ALWAYS try to get a couple minutes of just the parents. Let the kids take a break and run wild while I capture you and your love.
3. Kid Friendly Photographer
It definitely helps and makes a huge difference if you work with a photographer that knows how to photograph families with kids. Find yourself an outdoor family photographer near you that is confident in not only photographing children, but can do so in an enjoyable fashion. I am a mother and my children are wild. I have A LOT of experience chasing them around and takings candid photos of them running free. Motherhood changed what I focus on. My eye is now drawn to the details that unfold and tell a story of your unique family.
4. Outdoor Family Photos Color Scheme
There’s no right, or wrong answer here. This will depend wholeheartedly on the photographer you choose. Make sure to always ask your photographer what they suggest in terms of colors and outfit coordination. Depending on your photographer’s specific settings while shooting and what they gravitate towards when editing, will greatly impact the look of your photos. It’s important you both get on the same page so everything can be cohesive. If you can’t already tell, I love warm, moody photos that are true to naturally occurring colors. So, the best color to wear for family photos is a questions your photographer should welcome and happily discuss with you!
White, cream, camel and gray
Black, emerald green, white
Gray, deep, rich ocean blue and terra-cotta
5. Outdoor Family Photos with Toddlers and Babies
Bring snacks. That’s it. Just kidding, but seriously it’s ok if they need a snack break. Especially if you’re shooting at golden hour, that’s usually dinner time and then bedtime routine. So, I expect kids to be hungry and tired and it doesn’t scare me. We’ll get it done and I’ll make sure everyone has a great time while we’re doing it!
6. Location Matters
If you have a favorite location in mind, great! Talk it over with your photographer so they can be sure to check it out before your outdoor family photoshoot and get an idea of light and best start time. If you don’t have a specific location in mind, ask your photographer. A professional should have recommendations of best places to shoot outside for family photos in your area. I always like to ask my client what they’re hoping for in terms of aesthetic. For example, being a Phoenix family photographer, we have access to a lot of beautiful desert landscapes. But I know of places that look green and lush, locations with water, city scapes and awesome locations downtown.
7. Ask For Black and Whites
Make sure your photographer is going to give you black and white options. I know sometimes people shy away from black and whites when dealing with family photos, but please trust, you’ll want a few. I know you lose the color, but with the correct photo, black and white can emit emotions that no color in the world can capture. A professional photographer will know what photos should be black and white.
8. Don’t Wait
Ok, this next section isn’t me trying to push my services as an outdoor family photographer onto you. It’s me coming to you as a mother. One of my biggest regrets was not doing maternity photos with my first pregnancy. I did them with my second pregnancy and I love and cherish them so much. I wish so badly I had them for my first. I promised myself after that, no more regrets. We can’t go back in time. Family photos are irreplaceable and an investment in freezing time. They’re worth it. So, even tho I am MUCH more comfortable on this end of the lens, I look forward to our family photos each year. Think of how many photos you take of your kids on your phone, but you’re not in them, unless it’s a selfie. You need to be in them too! I want to create outdoor family photography that parents cherish each year.
9. Timing Matters
The time of day you shoot your photos greatly impacts the aesthetic. Not because there is a wrong time to shoot- there isn’t, but you need to be clear on what you’re looking for. If you want hazy, quiet, soft light- the morning is when you should have your outdoor family photoshoot. If you love deep, contrasting, harsh light- brave a midday shoot. If your photographer knows how to capture light properly, these can be absolutely stunning. Now, the most popular- that gorgeous, golden glow before the sun sets for the evening. This is typically best captured starting 90 minutes before sunset.
10. Make it Candid
Yup- we’ll get you that posed, Christmas Card worthy photo, don’t worry about that. My goal, however, is always to capture a story of frame worthy photos that will remain family keepsakes for generations to come. That story happens in the in-between moments where there is movement, freedom and immense love.
11. Get Portraits
When I do outdoor family photoshoots, I always make sure to get portraits of each individual child. I’ve noticed it makes the kids feel special. And these aren’t like stiff, school photos where they have to sit awkwardly and smile to big it hurts. These are for the purpose of looking back and remembering so vividly who your child was at that moment in time. They get to set the tone and I roll with it.
Thank you, as always, for being here. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions, or want to discuss things further. I love chatting all things photography, even if you don’t use me as your family photographer. I mean that. Happy photographing, friends!