Mommy and Me Summer Portraits
My client, the wonderful Cassie, wanted some cute Mommy and Me summer portraits with her two young sons. I was so excited to make her family photo dreams come true! I have been photographing Cassie and tons of her family members since before her two sons were even born. We recently did a studio branding session for her at our downtown Tacoma studio. Cassie was featured as our April Boss Babe for her work as an AH-mazing real estate agent! For this shoot though, we changed it up, stepping out of the studio and into the gorgeous PNW sunshine!
Family Photos at Wild Hearts Farm
We scheduled Cassie’s mid-June family portraits when we knew Washington summer would be Goldilocks perfect! Not too hot, not too cold. Of course, we had to go to one of my favorite locations of all time, Wild Hearts Farm. Wild Hearts Farm is a Tacoma photo venue and family farm started in 2015. They offer tons of picture-perfect backdrops including an indoor studio, glasshouse, and rustic farm truck. These options are in addition to the 5 acres of farmland, flowers, and cute outdoor décor! I’ve had the pleasure of shooting here tons of times and each time is just as good as the first! Check out the AHP and AHP Senior blogs to see more photos from WHF!
Dreamy Countryside Farm Photos in Washington
There is something about summertime that makes you want to head out of the city, kick off your shoes, and spend as much time as possible soaking up the fresh air and warm sun. Cassie and her boys had an awesome barefoot session for their mommy and me summer portraits and had so much fun exploring all the unique areas on the farm. They got to swing on one of the trees, sit up in the farm’s vintage truck, and even met a donkey they got to give some soft pets to! Her boys were the sweetest! I loved capturing these memories for this little family!
Tips For Taking Portraits with Young Kids
A lot of times, parents can be nervous about taking photos with their young kids. But you shouldn’t let your child’s age stop you from scheduling the family photos of your dreams. In fact, getting portraits taken when your kids are still little is one of the most important times to plan them! With these quick tips for taking portraits with young kids, your next photoshoot will be a breeze.
1. Pick a photographer who has experience working with kids and families.
There is nothing worse than having your own fears amplified by seeing the overwhelmed look on a photographer’s face who doesn’t know how to work with children. With over 20 years of experience, I have seen it all! I regularly shoot families of all kinds and love working with them to make their experience as smooth and fun as possible!
2. Shoot somewhere fun.
One thing about kids, they tend to get bored easily! Help their attention span by picking a location that has a lot of interesting places to explore. Not only will this keep your child engaged, but think of how cute the photos will be! Wild Hearts Farm is a great spot for kiddos and can be booked months in advance for whatever season fits your schedule. If you need help planning or finding child-friendly locations, I have got you covered! Send me an email to get started planning family portraits your kids will love!
3. Prepare your kids for what the day will be like.
A lot of the time, kids just want to know what is going on! You can prepare them for photoshoot day by explaining to them what the day will consist of. Get them excited by telling them how fun it will be, pick out outfits that they love (or plan a fun trip to buy new ones), and let them bring their favorite toy. When in doubt, you can also offer a bribe! Have a few ideas ready in case you need to use them.
Remember, having a successful family photo shoot, with or without kids, is all about having fun! So plan a day that works for you and your kids. Don’t stress the small stuff, and leave room for imperfections and silly behavior. I love working with families and I know yours will be no different! Head to the “Let’s Connect!” section below for more information on how to get in contact with me.
Let’s Connect!
Family portraits are one of the most important ways to share and create lifelong memories with your children! Especially in the younger years when they are growing and changing all the time. If you are looking for an experienced family photographer who loves working with kids, send me a message! You can reach me on my website, or via email at [email protected]. I can’t wait to meet you and your family!
