Top 8 tips on planning the perfect family photography session

A family photo session is a great opportunity to document your family memories and record important stages in life, like birthdays, welcoming new family members, and important anniversaries.  Family photo shoots are so much fun and they create everlasting memories for you and your children.

However, we often do not realise the importance of family photos until it is too late. 

In this post, I examine my top tips for planning the perfect family photo session. 

1.       Create a mood board

In order to deliver personalised photography, it is important for your photographers to understand your personalities, preferences, and relationship. The creation of a mood board is a way to help your creative team get to know you.  Pinterest is the best tool for creating a mood board, which allows you to share it with the photographer. 

2.      Select a location

It is important to choose whether to hold your family shoot at a studio or an outdoor location.  Both have their advantages and disadvantages.   Taking it outdoors is always a good option for family photos and it is currently in vogue.

See link for top five locations for a family photo session

The great outdoors can offer beautiful natural lighting and gorgeous background landscapes. Weston Park, the Arboretum and Lake Burley Griffin offer perfect locations for these photos.

While it may be tempting to choose an outdoor family photo location based on the landscape alone, you should, ideally, choose a spot that has some significance to the family as it will make the photo more meaningful. For example, go to a favourite park or even the family’s own backyard. As an added bonus, it will help keep young children and pets comfortable by shooting in a location they’re familiar with.

3.      Minimise your locations

In order to maximise photo time on your family photo shoot, I recommend minimising the number of photo shoot locations. Do not be tempted to select more than one location as you do not want to spend more time traveling from point A to point B than actually taking pictures. A great photographer should be able to make almost any location work.  You should trust in the creative abilities of your photographer to make the most of any location.

You have the possibility to select several sub-locations at most of the good locations around Canberra.  For example, at Weston Park, you can take images at the pond, around the lake, and walking amongst the trees. 

4.      Plan ahead

There is nothing more stressful than trying to get out the door and realising you have nothing to wear.  Plan your wardrobe well ahead of the photo session. For ideas on what to wear to your family photo session

Schedule some time the day before (or even a week) the photo shoot to make sure each of the items has been ironed or dry cleaned.  If you are stumped on what to wear, revert to your mood board for ideas or seek ideas or prompts from Instagram. If you are still struggling for ideas, contact your photographer for hints and advice. 

If you are getting your hair or makeup done on the day of the photo shoot, leave plenty of time in order to reach the location. 

You do not want to arrive feeling all rushed and panicky.

5.      Lay clothing out the day before

Lay each family member’s outfit together while planning. This way you’ll have a good idea about how the pieces will look next to each other. This will allow you a better idea of what works and what does not. Plus, this way, you can make sure that you are not missing any essential clothing items including matching accessories.

6.      Be well rested to ensure you remain engaged during the family shoot

Be certain not to schedule your photo session around your child’s nap or bedtime.  The best time for lighting is the two hours before sunset.  If this not the best time for your children, talk with your photographer.  Good photographers will be able to shoot at any time of day by utilising areas of open shade that will give your skin a beautiful hue and put a sparkle in your eyes.

7.      Be well fed and bring along some snacks

Try not to schedule your photo shoot around meal times. In fact, choose the time when they are still fresh, and preferably after mealtime if possible. 

Another tip is do not show up to a photo shoot on an empty stomach or have dinner scheduled straight after the photo session.  If dinner is scheduled straight after the photo session, why not make it a meal out to be an incentive for the kids to behave and be involved in the photo shoot. 

Do not forget to bring along some healthy snacks for the kids. 

8.      Include the family pet

Who said that you should not work with kids and animals? 

Family pets are important family members.  I actively encourage my clients to include their pets as and where possible on our shoots.   So why not bring the family pet along to include in some of the family portraits.  They are part of the family and they are great props for the kids too. 

Please bring dog treat/toys for the dog so that he is cooperative when it is time for their portrait. 

What’s The Best Time To Take Pictures Outside in Canberra?

Canberra is a magnificent place to take family photographs.  Nothing is better than a sun-soaked afternoon around Lake Burley Griffin, whether it is Weston Park or Lennox Garden / Beijing Gardens.  I started to think what the best season would be to hold your photographs.

Spring

Could there be a better season than spring?  

By this stage we are over winter, which has been dragging on for months.  The landscape and gardens are exploding in an abundance of colour.  All the bright flora is coming into bloom and the landscapes are evenly lit by the sun.  Surely there is not a better time to shoot family photographs.

This is the perfect time to made use of the three to four weeks that the cherry blossoms are in full bloom.  Throughout Canberra there are pockets of cherry blossoms that are perfect for a family experience.  Try Harrison in Gungahlin, Canberra Beijing Garden or Weston Park in Yarralumla for good locations to make use of the pink and white blooms. 

Autumn

After a long hot summer, the cool air that starts off autumn is a welcome sight.  We should thank our founding fathers as the falling temperatures in March kicks off the most welcome sight – autumn leaves. Canberra is home to a spectacular collection of tree species that colour the streets during the autumn months.  Many of Canberra's treescapes have started to turn vivid shades of reds, oranges and yellows.  This majestic display of colours lasts for a couple of months before the trees start to shed their leaves creating one of Canberra must-do activities for kids -  jumping over (or through) the huge mounds of leaves. 

The inner north and inner south are the best bet to see the autumn displays before the city shivers through another winter.  That said, if you go exploring in the nearer areas of Gungahlin, Belconnen and Weston Creek you will find delightful areas that are just bursting with colour.   Among some of the best places to see autumn leaves in Canberra north of the lake are Torrens Street in Braddon, Condamine Street in Turner and Miller Street in O'Connor. Selecting a park around these areas will provide you with wonderful experiences.  Likewise in the south, head to Lennox Gardens and the around Lake Burley Griffin near the Australian of the Year walk for beautiful displays of colour.   

Winter

Unfortunately, by the time winter rolls around in Canberra the trees have lost their colour and any leaves left on the trees are brown and dead.  The residents of Canberra have replaced their t-shirts and thongs for jackets and scarves.  The days are short and once the sun drops down it becomes quite cold.

This can still be an exciting time to take photographs.  There are still clumps of leaves on the ground for kids to throw in the air, jump into and just kick.   Sunset is not as hard in winter so you can coat your photos in beautiful yellows and oranges.  The arboretum and the Weston Park are my go to places for winter experiences.  However, the lakes around Gungahlin, Belconnen and Tuggeranong are equally nice at this time of the year. 

Summer

Summer in Canberra is hot, hot and hot.  The roses are in full bloom while Canberra’s deciduous trees are providing coverage from the sun.   Your photographic experience is best to take place in the early morning or in the late afternoon to escape the harsh shadows of the sun and benefit from the golden hour.  This is when the natural light is super-soft and flattering. It also gives off a warm reddish hue.

Canberra great collection of parks and the arboretum are the best places to take advantage of the morning or evening golden hour.   Weston Park is my favourite followed by the Arboretum.  However, if you want colour in your photographs head to the rose gardens of Old Parliament House. 

The things to remember to bring to a family photo session

The lead up to a family portrait can be very stressful for the parents with a million things potentially getting in the way of a successful portrait session – a sudden change in the weather, screaming children or dad staining his clothes before the car has left the driveway!!

They have many things that they need to remember and inattentively something always gets left behind.  Here is my list of things that it is always important to bring to the portrait session to ensure a fun, enjoyable and successful day.

1.      Water – While the family photo session is likely to go for an hour to an hour and a half, it is important to bring a couple of bottles of water for the children.  While they are a great tool for keeping the kids quiet.

2.      Snacks - Don’t show up to a photo shoot on an empty stomach. Regardless of the time of the photo shoot, it is important to arrive with some snacks, especially for the children.  Be sure to give everyone a healthy snack before the photo shoot. There are no food options at the Yarralumla Woolshed. But if you forget snack there are cafes close by at Weston Park and the Arboretum.

3.      A change of clothes for the kids – accidents do happen to young children especially when on location environments.  A set of back up clothes are just perfect for these unexpected accidents.  And if you do not need them for these accidents, they are perfect for a second look.  

4.      Baby wipes – These are just perfect for an unexpected accident.  Wipes are always great for on-the-go touch-ups and help if you suddenly notice a runny nose. 

5.      A blanket - This is brilliant, especially on-location shoots.  Keeping wardrobes clean and adding an extra layer or colour or texture are always bonuses. This is especially important at the Arboretum as there are few places to seat there.

6.      Insect spray – When shooting on location there may be some unwelcome visitors, such as bugs and mosquitoes. A can of Rid or Aeroguard will keep those unwelcome visitors at bay and kids safe from mozzie bites. Any photo experiences around the lake, like Weston Park or Lennex Gardens, it is strongly advised to bring insect spray.

7.      Props – Do not forget any props that you might wish to use during the photo session.  The purpose of bringing props along is to personalize your images, to add some visual interest, and to create activity-based photography.

Props enable the family to show off their personality or identify your hobbies or talents. 

8.      Bribe - oops did I really say offer the kids a bribe, sorry I meant reward for being patient and willing to do everything asked of them. Photo shoots are the rare case where it is okay to offer children a small bribe! These small rewards will help to overcome meltdowns when the pressure just gets too much. A good place to go to after a photo session at the Arboretum is the Visitor Centre.

9.      Beer – Did I mention beer?  Sometimes the husband needs a little encouragement and what better way is there to loosen up. 

Most of all, do not forget the kids who will be bouncing around with excitement on the day of the photo sessions!!

Plan a surprise or a special treat like ice cream or mini-golf after the shoot, so that they look forward to the entire day. You don’t want your kids to think of the photo shoot as something scary, or worse, a chore.

Top five locations for family photos around Canberra

Canberrans are spoilt for choice when it comes to selecting a location for their precious family photographs.  It does not matter if you live on the south or northside, everyone is 20 minutes away from a fantastic spot. 

As a father and photographer, I am acutely aware of how much we treasure photos of our family.  I have a bunch of locations that I have used or want to use. 

I am regularly asked where the best place is to hold family photographs around Canberra. I have therefore compiled a list of locations that future clients might wish to use as inspiration for their family photo shoot.

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These are my top 5 places to locations.  

1.       Arboretum

This is my all-time favourite location in Canberra for photographs as there are numerous locations that you can select.  The Arboretum is found just off the Tuggeranong Parkway on Forest Drive.  My two favourite locations are the Himalayan Cedar forest and Cork Oak Plantation.  Your kids can run amongst the Himalayan Cedars which comes alive during sunset.  When they are exhausted it is time to head up the Wide Brown Land sculpture for the last of the photos.  The Himalayan Cedars are located at the end of the Himalayan Cedar Road. 

Sensational view from the Himalayan Cedar forest

A short drive down the dirt Cork Oak Road is the Cork Oak Plantation.  The forest has stood almost as long as Canberra itself, planted in 1917 on the northern end of the arboretum.  Once you enter the Arboretum, just follow the sign to the Cork Oak Forest. It is a popular spot for families and it is a great place to explore.  A perfect spot for walks, picnics, or to sit under the trees and breathe in the forest air. 

2.      Yarralumla Woolshed

This is an oldie, but a goodie is the Yarralumla Woolshed, which is a unique piece of Canberra’s history and a fantastic place for photographs.  It is located on the south side of the lake with the property located at 208 Cotter Road, Yarralumla.

The external area of the woolsheds is just perfect for rustic style photographs.  It boasts wide-open areas where children can run around and sit on the stairs or the old sheep run when exhausted.  Big shade trees have helped produce some of my most stunning images, but there are also plenty of open spaces to serve as blank canvases.

The side of the Yarralumla Woolshed

3.        Weston Park

Weston Park, like the Arboretum, has numerous sub-locations that are just perfect for photographs. Located in Yarralumla, off Weston Park Road, park your car in the car park off Pescott Lane and it is a short walk to the beautiful pond area that is surrounded by luscious trees where you can capture beautiful reflections. 

The Pond within Weston Park is a favourite for families and couples

There is a beautiful grassed area that is perfect for kids to run around.  Then it is a short walk down to Lake Burley Griffin for some photos by the lake and stroll amongst the pine trees. 

4.      Old Parliament House

The rose gardens in the Senate and House of Representative’s courtyards of Old Parliament House represents another idyllic location for family photos.  There is ample space for kids to run around and have fun in the open lawns while the parent access the seating pavilions or pergolas.  The rose gardens have plenty of wisteria arbours, cross paths and trellises.  The location comes alive from October to March when the roses and wisteria are in full bloom. 

Old Parliament House rose gardens are located either side of Old Parliament House on King George Terrace, Parks

House of Senate Garden of Old Parliament House

5.      Kingston Foreshore. 

The final location in my top 5 spots to have your family portraits taken around Canberra is Kingston Foreshore.  Kingston Foreshore is a bustling cultural, social, and residential hub located on the southeastern edge of Lake Burley Griffin.  Located in Kingston off Wentworth Avenue the foreshore offers families a variety of options different environments.  If the photo shoot allows for two locations, it is possible to have some photos around the old brickworks buildings of the old bus depot and gigantic old building of the Powerhouse before crossing the road to have some photos amongst nature and the lake. 

The added advantage of the location is that right after the photo shoot it is a short walk down to some of the best restaurants in Canberra or post photoshoot coffee.

Family photography session with Jessica M - Weston Park

Recently I had the pleasure to photograph Jess and her family at Weston Park, Yarralumla. It is a fantastic day with the sun shining after some smoky days leading up to the photoshoot. Enjoy the images from that day.

If you want some memories for your family, please contact me.