the journal
Ok, so we have all probably seen the family photos where mom is in a beautiful maxi (long) dress and she is frolicking with her family surrounded by a hilly backdrop. It’s pretty, but maybe you are looking for something different, something unique. Please don’t take this the wrong way. That is so beautiful, and I am totally here for it (and honestly a lot of my family photo sessions have been that type of vibe).
But today I am here to pitch to you the idea of bringing more authenticity to your family photo session this year. If you are looking for new ideas + adding something different to your family photos, I want to talk about the best ideas and places for creating authentic family photos.
P.S. This is not a “typical location” blog/post. I have already made one of those-check it out here (for fave photo locations around Iowa City).
So what are some ideas for your own family? Well that depends! For some families, exploring outdoors (maybe a nature hunt-collecting rocks, sticks and wildflowers) would be something true to them. However, for other families a typical weekend may consist of going to the library and farmers market downtown Iowa City.
Why should I consider this type of “authentic” family photo session?
Working with your photographer (hopefully me in this case) on designing a session that feels like your family can be so refreshing and fun. Another perk? Your family session feels like YOU. Your kids get to show their authentic smiles and pure joy. If your family has something to do together that you truly enjoy, the photographs become something deeper, more connected and more genuine. The longer your family spends with me/the photographer and it feels more like “hanging out”, the less pressured and like a “performance” our time together is. Each family’s session is unique. Here are some fun lists of ideas to jump start your brainstorming.
Ideas of activities and places for family photos:
- Morning routine
- Cuddles in bed
- Pillow fight
- Playing with kites
- Paper airplanes
- Apple or berry picking (i.e. Wilsons)
- Playing ball (bball at outdoor court, pickleball, etc)
- Playing yard games
- Gardening
- Picnic
- Baking
- Crafting
- Bath time (bubbles etc)
- Music jam session or karaoke
- Neighborhood/driveway biking
- Skate boarding
- Backyard pool
- Backyard sprinkler or hose spraying
- Farm things/tasks
- Farmers market
- Wildflower picking
- Ice cream (outing i.e. Danes, old school DQ, Heyns or backyard)
- S’mores
- Campfire
- Drive-in movie theater
- Backyard movie
- Boating (pedal, kayaks, etc) i.e. Lake Macbride/res
- Painting
- Diner (i.e. Hamburg Inn, BlueBird etc)
- Nature walk/collecting
- Dress up/tea party
- Forts
- Playground
- Camping (tent in yard or the real deal)
Do any of these ideas (or combinations) sound intriguing? Would you want to use some/any of these ideas for an upcoming family photo session in Iowa City? Hopefully this list of the best places + ideas for authentic family photos feels exciting. I would love to chat about what you envision for your next family photo session! Please reach out and we can start planning 🙂
