There’s something magical about capturing your family in the great outdoors. A family adventure session isn’t just about photos—it’s about making memories, exploring together, and having fun along the way. Whether you’re watching the sunset at Garden of the Gods or playing in a mountain meadow, these sessions create real, joyful moments you’ll cherish forever.
Here’s how to make sure your adventure session is the absolute best:
Choose the Best Location for Your Family Adventure Session
The location truly sets the tone. When choosing a spot, think about your kids’ personalities and energy levels.
If you have older children who love to climb and explore, Garden of the Gods is a stunning choice with its unique rock formations. On the other hand, if your little ones are full of energy and constantly on the move, open meadow locations work wonderfully. They offer lots of space to run, play, and be themselves.
Wherever we go, I always help families choose a spot that fits their vision for their session. The goal is for the location to help make the session feel natural, comfortable, and fun.
Plan Your Session Around Sunset
There’s a reason I schedule all my family adventure sessions during golden hour. That soft, warm sunset light adds something special to your photos. It wraps everything in a golden glow, highlighting smiles and making every image feel like a dream.
Even more importantly, sunset light is flattering for all skin tones and creates depth and warmth that just can’t be matched at other times of day.
Work with Your Photographer on Styling
Styling plays a big role in how your final gallery looks. I always encourage families to check in with me when choosing outfits.
Coordinating your clothes doesn’t mean everyone needs to match. Instead, we’ll aim for colors and textures that complement each other and fit the natural setting. I can also help you avoid certain colors that don’t work as well with my editing style. This collaboration helps everything come together beautifully.
Wear Comfortable Shoes for Your Family Adventure Session
Style matters—but comfort matters more, especially when it comes to your shoes.
Many of my outdoor sessions in Colorado Springs include a short walk to reach the best photo spots. Once we’re there, I use games and movement-based prompts to keep things fun. That’s hard to do if your feet hurt!
Wear shoes you can move, walk, and play in. If you’d like, you can bring cuter shoes to change into once we reach the location.
Leave Snacks and Treats in the Car
You’d be surprised how often snacks become the biggest distraction during a session. Treats like lollipops can take forever to eat!
Instead, leave snacks in the car or keep them hidden until the session is over. We’ll keep everyone busy and engaged with play and fun prompts—no bribes needed!
Don’t Stress—Let the Kids Be Kids
This tip might be the most important one. During your family adventure session, your kids might be a little wild—and that’s okay!
The best photos happen when families are relaxed and kids are just being themselves. So if your little one runs off or makes a funny face, don’t worry. I promise those moments often lead to the most genuine, heartfelt images.
Try to avoid disciplining or correcting them unless it’s a safety concern. Just laugh it off, keep smiling, and trust the process.
Keep the Mood Fun and Light
If the parents are relaxed and happy, the kids usually follow. I know it can feel stressful, but during your session, pretend you’re on a fun little adventure together.
Your child is making silly faces? Laugh with them. Someone is picking their nose? That’s okay too. The more joy and calm you bring, the better your photos will turn out.
What to Expect After Your Family Adventure Session
After your session, you can expect to receive your full gallery in about 2 to 3 weeks, depending on the season. I often share sneak peeks on Instagram to hold you over!
Once your gallery is ready, be sure to download everything and save it in at least two places. While I do keep final galleries backed up, I can’t guarantee long-term storage—so back them up right away!
Family Adventure Sessions
Your family adventure session is about so much more than smiling for the camera. It’s about connection, laughter, and enjoying the beauty of Colorado with the people you love most.
If you come into your session ready to play, laugh, and embrace the chaos a little, you’ll walk away with photos that feel just like you. And those are the moments worth remembering.
You can book your session through my online booking calendar or reach out to me directly!
