Candid Outdoor Family Photography Session | Jacksonville, Florida

a boy smiling and holding hands with his family, walking through a field at sunset

Living for the candid moments…

My Jacksonville families know that I am NOT the type of photographer that does 85 different poses of everyone politely smiling for the camera…I LOVE candid shots! In fact, capturing movement and play is my absolute favorite part of family sessions! At the beginning of each session I always make sure to get a few of those traditional posed shots. BUT, I believe what families want to remember most from their little ones childhoods are the lively, spontaneous moments full of laughter!

I mean, think about it…posed family portraits may look like polished perfection, but do they really capture your family’s true dynamic? Candid shots, on the other hand, reveal the gleeful joy that naturally unfolds in everyday life! Whether it’s goofy faces during playtime or spontaneous hugs between siblings, these unposed moments beautifully show the sweet (and sometimes quirky!) bonds shared within YOUR unique family!

Creating a comfortable atmosphere

Embrace the chaos!

So what is the key to achieving those charmingly candid moments during your family photo session?? Relax…breathe…have fun! Believe it or not, the BEST thing you can do to prepare for your photoshoot is to go into it with an open mind. Try to let go of your expectations and embrace the chaos! Sure, you may want everyone to look perfect and smile for the camera, but sometimes the best moments come when things don’t go according to plan. So let go of perfection and give yourself permission to laugh, make silly faces, or even have a tickle fight! Remember, genuine smiles are always more beautiful than forced ones!

family playing parachute with a blanket in a field in jacksonville with two little boys standing underneath the blanket laughing

little boy looking at flowers in a field while the sun flares through the trees behind him

Playtime = Magic!

I love to incorporate play into my photoshoots! Playing games and being silly not only makes the session more enjoyable for everyone, but it also adds a sense of adventure and fun to your images. One of my favorite recent purchases is a simple wooden train whistle that I use to play “choo-choo train.” The family walks, holding hands, as one of the children plays “conductor” and leads them along the way. Then, I blow my train whistle to make the children look up at my camera and smile! Some other favorites include picking wildflowers, singing Ring Around the Rosie and falling down, or playing “parachute” with a picnic blanket.

a father swings his one year old up in the air while they both laugh

a mom and dad stand in a field in Jacksonville, holding their two little boys and laughing; their dog is sitting beside them

Let’s do it!

With the weather here in Jacksonville FINALLY starting to cool off, it’s the perfect time to schedule your family photo session! Reach out today to get on my calendar because (trust me), years down the road when your little ones are grown, your future selves will be so grateful that you took the time to capture these cherished moments.