Late spring and early fall are both wonderful times of the year for the Delaware Valley. While I am a big fan of summer, it can be a bit intense. Trying to fit so much fun and memory making into approximately two months is both very fun but also very exhausting. The shoulder seasons are a bit more manageable because school is still in session, so the craziness is limited, and the weather is typically quite nice.

Late October and November are typically very popular for getting those fall family photos that will be used in the quickly approaching Holiday Photos. While it is amazing to have photos captured with those vibrant fall leaves, it also takes place during a very busy time. School sports are in full swing, fall activities are happening every weekend, and let’s not forget about the quick sussesion of holidays that will be starting at the end of October.

So I want to put a thought out to the parents that want to have their memories documented but maybe want to take a more casual approach. Pictures that document what your life looks like right now without fancy clothes or perfect poses. Heck, you can even show up in your pajamas. Just the little everyday moments that mean the world to you. I want you to use the shoulder season (and quite frankly, any time of year) to document the parts of your family that matter the most to you in a very low pressure way. It can look different to every family, esp at different stages of their childhood, which makes it unique and special to you.

NOTE: These sessions are probably best suited for families with young children. At this stage, you are tired and stretched thin by just trying to keep these little ones safe, fed, and clean. Their world is their home and it is much less stressful to not have to have everyone get dressed up, pack all of the necessary equipment that comes with little ones, leave the house, and endure a stressful car ride. I’m tired just thinking about it. Plus there are snacks at home!

FAMILIES WITH VERY SMALL CHILDREN

Families with small children, being at home is where you are typically spending most of your time. Whether it is snuggling on the sofa watching morning cartoons together (Bluey, anyone?), playing on the floor with blocks, kids playing at your feet while you cook, siblings taking a bath together, putting together a train set, or reading a book in that comfy arm chair. These are absolutely the moments that you will bring you so much joy and nostalgia when the kids are older.

Documenting their favorite things is a big deal at their age. Their favorite stuff animal, their favorite snacks, their favorite book that you read a thousand times. Their world is so small so these are the big things in their world. Even just the little moments, like seeing your kids together in their bathroom brushing their teeth as you walk by or watching their pudgy little hands cautiously put their shoes on, are the slices of life that make life worth living. 

I love documenting interactions between parents and kids at home. Playing together in the comfort in their home will be a feeling that they will tap in often when they are grown. Being able to look back on pictures of these moments just emphasizes the importance of these little moments. I would like to add that including grandparents to your session is always welcome. Grandparents and grandchildren can have such special bonds and it would be so wonderful to document that relationship too!

FAMILIES WITH “BIG KIDS”

Once your kids become school age, things ramp up a bit. Photos may be taken at home or in the neighborhood. A family bike ride, a trip to a local park, putting together an impressive lego set, making breakfast together, or playing in an epic fort, are just some of the fun and meaningful ways to document young school age kids. I know my kids loved to play in our backyard and look for frogs or climb trees. 

FAMILIES WITH TWEENS AND TEENS

Once the hormones start kicking in, there is a big shift in the house. In certain ways, your kids are so easy but in other ways they are waaaayyy harder. That tiny, little baby may now be taller than you and have facial hair. The actitivties may change a lot with this age group but they will be just as meaningful even though that milk mustache is now swapped out for a real mustache. Think having a big meal as a family with all their favorite foods followed by a great board game. Maybe have a catch in the front yard or take the family dog for a walk. Going out somewhere is great with older kids. Even if it is somewhere silly, like playing miniature golf and getting ice cream. 

NO MATTER THE AGE

No matter the age, having pictures taken in your home will be such a gift when your children get older, esp their bedroom. So often, the nursery gets so many pictures taken but they are just babies and that room will have so many itterations over the years. Having pictures taken in their bedroom will be such a treat to look back on when they are 40 or 80. Being able to look back and see what their living room, dining room, and kitchen looked like when they were 12 will also hold so much meaning when they get older but being able to see their own bedroom will be pretty special.

DON’T FORGET THE FAMILY PET

Including the family pet is also a must no matter the age. Any kind of pet will work, the family dog, cat, reptile, bunny, bird, turtle…the options are endless. Your pet is a family member and they need to be included. I can’t tell you how many families that included their pet, came back to thank me when their pet was no longer with them. They tell me how those session pictures really captured the dog’s personality as well as the relationship they had with each family member. That these photos have a special place in their home so they can remember that furry family member.

What I am suggesting are all things you probably witnessed/observed from your daily life but have never thought about having professionally photographed. As someone whose camera lives on their kitchen table, having professional shots of these precious memories is priceless gift you will give yourself and your children. The big trips or events in your life are typically well photographed but those moments just take up a small portion of life. These every day moments comprise a large chunk of your life together. Of course there are ups and downs to the everyday moments but when things are up, they are so good and are what make life worth living. It is these moments that need to be celebrated and documented, because, as we all know, the days are long but the years are short. 

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