When it comes to planning your family session, I always encourage families to pick a season and a setting that truly feels like you. Oftentimes, families feel the pressure to book fall photos simply because it’s what everyone does, or it fits with holiday card timelines. While there’s nothing wrong with fall foliage or using fall sessions for your Christmas card, it may not be what best reflects your family.
For the Stribling family, their joy lives near the water. When we began planning their session, it was clear they wanted a location that felt natural, relaxed, and playful. We wanted a place that allowed their children to explore, splash, and just be themselves. That’s how we landed on the river at Crescent Bend Nature Park in Cibolo, TX.
And friends… It was perfect.
Their two girls giggled as they dipped their toes in the water, twirled in the sunshine, and splashed around. Baby brother squealed with delight when he felt the cool river water on his feet for the first time. These weren’t just photos for the holiday card, these were candid moments that captured the essence of their family right now: a family of five, rooted in love, play, and togetherness.
How to Choose the Right Season and Setting for Your Family Photo
When you’re thinking about your own session, don’t limit yourself to trends or timelines. Ask yourself these important questions to help you decide when and where to capture your family session.
Start with asking yourself what season feels most like you. Maybe your family thrives in the summer sun, spends weekends at the lake, or loves spring blooms and open skies. Those are great indicators of what time of year and even location possibilities!
Next, think about the environment that brings out the joy in your kids. Do they feel most themselves in the water? The woods? Open fields or your own backyard? What brings out the giggles, laughter and love?
Lastly, consider what resonates with your family and makes you feel whole. Do you love a slow Sunday morning at home sipping your coffee while the kids play, sunset picnics at the park, or walking your neighborhood in the evenings?
Your photos should reflect your family story. I say this from personal experience, too. My own family has sent out beach photos on our Christmas cards, and I wouldn’t change it for the world. The beach is our home away from home, our happy place, and those images feel the most like us.
The Striblings’ riverside session was filled with movement, laughter, and love, which is everything that makes family photography so special. Whether you’re drawn to water like they were, or you envision somewhere completely different, I’d love to help you find the perfect spot that fits your family and season of life.
Ready to book your family session? Reach out today to get started! I’d love to tell your family’s story! I can’t wait to hear from you!
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Laurie Adalle Photography is a maternity, newborn, and family photographer based in San Antonio, Texas and serves the surrounding areas. To inquire with Laurie Adalle fill out the form to connect!
View more resources, beautiful families and moments captured on the blog:
The Benefit of Full Family Sessions for Young Kids
Phil Hardberger Park Family Session
Botanical Garden Family Session | The Beauty of Candid Family Photos
Brackenridge Park Family Session in San Antonio TX | Letting Kids Be Kids
