We all look forward to vacations with out family. A vacation is a time to unwind, relax, and bond with your family members. This time is stress free and without the distraction of work, technology and provides you with the time to focus on each other.

While planning a family vacation the last thing you are thinking about is family photos. I get it can be a bit overwhelming. You are already inundated with a multitude of tasks including the planning of the trip, where to stay, activities, packing for the entire family and the list goes on. The thought of adding in a portrait session may seem overwhelming, but it is so worth the extra time it takes to plan. Here are the reasons why:

family in sage and white seated on the beach at sunset in front of a dune

Your family’s schedule is already more relaxed.

As I mentioned before, when you are on vacation, your calendar is completely free and open. Why not take advantage and use one hour of one of those vacation evenings to have family photos captured? You don’t have to run to games, practices, recitals, work meetings, birthday parties etc. As you all know, when you have kids, your social calendar is typically jam packed. It is very difficult to find a day that works for all family members. This is especially true in my own home. My husband and I work opposite hours most of the time, so the only time we are off together is when we are on vacation. In fact, we book our own family photos once a year while we are vacationing.

family dressed in blue sage green and white seated on the sand at the beach in front of a dune

A new location offers a new and unique backdrop for your family vacation photos.

Whether you visit the same place each year or you explore new locations, there is a unique quality to a place that is not your hometown. The change in scenery from your normal routine offers a new perspective and allows a fresh and fun vibe to your images. The new location offers up excitement and joy. Your family cane explore the area and plays together during your session, which allows for great and relaxed imagery.

children in the ocean laughing and playing at sunset

family seated on the jetty at sunset embraced with toddler girl on lap

You are in vacation mode..so you are stress free.

Life with kids is chaotic and can be stressful. Vacations are a time to unwind and relax. It is the perfect time for photos because oyu will be feeling relaxed and your best. This means the odds of your session flowing smoothly are high.

family in pink white and sage in the ocean at sunset with pink sky

Include extended family members.

If you are traveling to visit extended family members or doing a large group vacation, you can use this as an opportunity to update your family portraits. Most of the time, the only photos we have with extended family members si from a wedding. Since that time children have been born and the dynamic has changed. You can use this opportunity as a time to finally update those images.