The right location is a huge consideration for your family’s portraits! The best locations have the right light, the right landmarks, places to pose your family, and few distractions. Luckily, there are great locations options for us here in the Woodlands and Spring area! Finding the right one for YOUR family depends on your family’s needs and personal style. Need some location inspiration? Here are my Top 5 ideas for family portrait locations!
NATURAL LOCATION WITH GRASS
This type of location is great for you if you want a pretty, manicured green grass type park – not wild yellow grass or long weeds like a field. Since a grassy park doesn’t usually have much else other than a patch of grass, be prepared for having to sit down for a portion of the shoot. A pretty local park might also have lovely flowers to add some colour, a bridge for visual interest, or a lake. A great location for families with children! You might want to bring a pretty blanket to avoid grass stains, and add visual interest.
PARK LOCATION WITH BENCHES
If you don’t think portraits seated on the grass are right for you family, or you think sitting on the ground might be physically uncomfortable for members of your family, opt for a park that has benches or stairs on which to sit. This is great for if you still want some natural elements, like trees and flowers, but sitting on the ground would be awkward. This is the perfect choice for extended family sessions that include grandparents, or teen/adult children, or to prevent young children from wandering off!
OPEN FIELD WITH LONG GRASS
If you are looking for a more “wild” natural location, fields are a very popular choice! The grass is longer, and more wheat coloured rather than spring green. A blanket is a good idea, but you’ll probably not see it in the photos since the long grass will hide it. Field locations are carefree and casual, just be aware there will be wind and long blowing grass. A field is a good choice for less formal families for a more casual photoshoot, and if you want children to run free and play.
PATHWAYS AND SIDEWALKS
Avoid grass and bugs, but still keep some greenery with trees by having the shoot on a sidewalk pathway or garden path. The trees make perfect overhead arches to frame your family, and the grey sidewalk or stone paths are neutral colours to match any wardrobe choice. If the weather was rainy the day before, you won’t have to worry about wet grass and no need to postpone your session! A great location for shots of your family walking together arm in arm.
GREENBELT/OPEN SPACE
If you have a large family you need to fit into the photographs, you’ll need a wide space so everyone can line up without having to “stack” people behind each other and get lost in the photos. Most parks can’t fit large groups, and open fields can be hard to get to and walk in and aren’t for everyone. But a green belt can work perfectly! It has green grass without long weeds that cover legs and feet, and usually is close to parking for all those cars. Wide open spaces are also ideal if you want pretty scenic shots like silhouettes that include a sunset — just be aware open sky also means full sun, so will only work at the VERY end of the day after the harsh sun is setting.
The perfect location for your family portraits is out there! Now you just need to book!
Are you looking for a maternity, child and/or family photographer in the Woodlands, Spring, Tomball, Montgomery, Oak Ridge or Conroe area? Contact me directly with this CONTACT FORM.
To learn more about full sessions CLICK HERE for session info and click to see my FAMILY PORTRAIT and CHILDREN galleries.
