IOP big family portrait

As Ilse of Palms portrait photographers, our summers involve lots of sunsets at the beach with other families on vacations. Beach sessions generally have a more laid-back feel and look. Between the kids having safe spaces to run and play and the ocean lulling everyone into ease, it is often a win-win for portrait session.

This extended family pulled together a soft pastel color palette. It worked great in all three of our locations. Starting at the no wind, green space of their backyard, moving to the walkway to the beach and ending up the beach itself. Our go to’s groupings consist of the whole group, grand and grandkids, individual family units. If the clients or I should say guys and kids still have more smiles, kiddo solos, couples and cousins are the next asks. At the end, we turn them loose and enjoy the laughing, skipping, running, splashing and sometimes full on submersion. Bringing a towel is always a good idea.

Pro Tip : We have one really BIG rule at our sessions. No yelling at the kids…even to get their attention. When we have larger groups, it is not uncommon to have parents calling out to get their kids to smile. We often have the adults all turn around and just nominate the funniest adult to stand directly behind us to pull eyes and smiles. This keeps the energy fun and the keeps their in attention in one direction.

"Going on a family vacation is like jumping into a pool of chaos with a side of fun." — Jimmy Fallon