I was a teacher for over 10 years. Most of the families I photograph have young kids. And I’m also a mom. One universal truth that I know from experience: You can’t always make children do what you want them to do! So what should parents do if their kids become overly spirited or even defiant during a photoshoot? Take a deep breath, and love them through those moments when they aren’t cooperating. If their parents are there–ready to tickle them, twirl with them, snuggle them, and love them–that smile will peak out despite all their best efforts to hide it. And who knows, your favorite picture may end up being the one of your toddler working really hard to hold onto that pouty face while trying not to smile at a goofy face that daddy makes.

Golden hour (the hour or two after sunrise or before sunset) is the best time of day for outdoor natural light photos. The soft golden glow as the sun sinks lower in the sky is very flattering! I typically schedule my photoshoots to begin about 1.5-2 hours before sunset so that the sun is just dipping below the tree line as we’re wrapping up our photos. If you have young kids with early bedtimes, don’t fret! Sunset time is earliest in the fall, so an outdoor golden hour photoshoot is possible for every family as long as you plan in advance.

My favorite tip is to choose mom’s outfit first and then pick one or two coordinating colors to round out dad’s and kids’ outfits. This is certainly not the only approach you could use, but I find that the pictures are usually AMAZING when mom feels comfortable and beautiful in what she’s wearing. It’s also much easier to shop for an adorable (and affordable) kid’s outfit with so many million options out there, while all women know that it can be tricky to find that perfect piece in women’s clothes. When you book your photoshoot, I’ll also send you my Style Guide with tips and direct shopping links for inspiration to help you look and feel your best for your family photos.

• Springton Manor Farm (Glenmoore) – You’d have a tough time finding a beautiful setting with more variety of backdrops to choose from than Springton Manor Farm. With beautiful old barns, fields, fences, big boulders, tree lined paths, a pond, and animals, this is one of the first spots I suggest for photos all year round.
• Valley Forge (King of Prussia) – There are multiple areas of Valley Forge I love for photos, and each of them has something special to offer. Stone architecture, columns, arches, historic charm, sweeping valley views, and stunning fall colors are just a few of the reasons why Valley Forge is one of the most popular spots for family photos.
• Longwood Gardens (Kennett Square) – Your eyes are all you need to understand why people come from all over the world to take in the gardens and fountains of Longwood. Every time I visit, I find new areas that make me stop and stare with wonder!
• Green Lane (Perkiomenville) – I have a special fondness for lakes and bridges, and Green Lane offers both of these! There’s a really cool bridge and beautiful sweeping lake views that I adore for photos.
• Lavender Farm (Coatesville) – I may have a bit of an obsession with flowers, and rows of soft purple lavender in bloom make my heart go pitter patter. I especially love the lavender farm for families with young kids, which may be why I chose this spot for our own family photos last year!
• I have too many favorites to share! – When you reach out to book your photoshoot, I’ll send you more of my favorite location ideas for each season. And I love discovering beautiful new places, so please don’t hesitate to share a special spot you already have in mind for your photos!

Pictures that excite me are filled with genuine expressions. When a family laughs, snuggles, and plays together, capturing the joys of family life comes easily. I come to every photoshoot with some posing ideas, but once we have a few photos under our belts I’ll encourage you to interact with your loved ones and capture all the fun in-between moments when life really happens. If you want a better idea of the kinds of photos I love to capture at my family photoshoots, check out the full gallery of photos from my Featured Photo Sessions: https://kristinbrockmanphotography.shootproof.com/