Summer time brings lots of family get-togethers…and also family portrait session! We have lots of family sessions to share soon starting with a country-setting family session!

The number-one suggestion and tip I give my family clients is to consider using their home as the setting, no matter how large or small. It ads to the over-all connection you feel to a photograph when the surroundings and setting is a place that you love, and most of us love our homes. I’ve been known to move furniture (a couch, a chair, an ottoman) towards the great light in the home to use as a focal point many times. Front porches, back yards, the neighborhood park—all are great areas to create family portraits.

The best of all is when someone has property (either their own or a nearby area!)—and this family had the perfect area right in their own back yard. We set the time for the last hour of sunlight for beautiful golden light and the stage was set. This family coordinated their clothing perfectly—and we included some hats for the teens as well.

Here are a few of our favorites from their recent summer family photo session—