Let the Professional Find Your Location Fit

Some moms find it hard to let go.

I know this because, as a family portrait artist, I deal with busy moms every single day. Moms who go to great lengths to manage their families, and whose job it is to sweat the small stuff.

And this is not a criticism. It’s just a reality that I face, particularly when making decisions with clients about the when and—especially—the where I’ll be photographing their family.

Most moms want to avoid the hassle of piling their perfectly wardrobed family into the minivan for a weeknight trip across town to be photographed. The very idea likely gives you a flush of anxiety.

Know this:

Location matters more than you think.

Most of my readers know that I shoot almost exclusively outdoors. It’s part of what gives my family artwork the signature look that most moms come to me seeking.

Part of making family art with me involves selecting a location that will give us the tones, colours and atmosphere we’ve defined during your Family Art Plan consultation.

I’ve been photographing families for twenty years across southeastern Ontario, and I can tell you precisely what the light and environment will produce depending on the time of year. However, while I do have plenty of go-to shoot locations to choose from, I still put effort into considering the location that will produce the desired look-and-feel befitting your home and personal style.

While I do have plenty of go-to shoot locations to choose from, I still put effort into considering the location that will produce the desired look-and-feel befitting your home and personal style.

 

But these facts still don’t deter moms from asking…

“Can’t we just do it here in our backyard?”

No.

Look, I’m sure you have a beautiful backyard. It’s been the backdrop for your family memories through the years and deserves to be immortalized in your family portraits.

I also know it feels more manageable and sensible to have your pictures taken somewhere more convenient, especially when you’re organizing a bunch of family members.

Which is why I dislike having to tell moms time and again…

Your backyard is not a suitable shoot location.

Recently, I was at Sandbanks Provincial Park in Prince Edward County for a Family Art session. As I stood on the beach at sunset, creating art of a family splashing in the surf of Lake Ontario, a feeling of sense of freedom rose in me. 

I could tell that they felt free too.

The space and the novelty of a new environment gives kids room to explore, run and, most importantly, not get bored.  

By contrast, the backyard session introduces no new stimulation, keeps kids on their own turf (and in the power position, lol) and usually doesn’t have the magic ingredients I need to make my work really sing.

The space and the novelty of a new environment gives kids room to explore, run and, most importantly, not get bored.

 

While it might be stressful to get everyone out the door, I promise you an “adventure” will yield a smoother session and more beautiful family art.

The results from the session I’ve cited here are a breathtakingly true story of the family in front of my lens. And I wouldn’t have been able to capture that in their own backyard.

Let me suggest some ideal locations. We’ll pick the right one together.

I acknowledge that some families’ backyards may be a suitable for a family art session, especially large ones of several acres or more.

Either way, I can only help moms navigate the path to the results you want and expect if they let me lead. Let me offer you my expert advice on locations and time of day, and guide you towards the result we both want: beautiful family art for your home.

Have a location in mind for your family portraits? Book your Family Art Plan consultation with me and let’s discuss. It’s free, and you’re not obligated to buy anything.