MenuMenu

Outside Family Photography Ideas

We have a little less than a month left of our totally unstructured summer. Not quite sure what fall looks like, but I’m going to just go with it and embrace that our afternoons and early evenings will have a softer tone than the harried September post-school days of yesteryear.

Have you been thinking about a documentary photography session for your family, but can’t quite wrap your head around how this could be done safely? I got you.

Nothing sings my song more than in-home family documentary sessions, but we’re living in our outdoor spaces more than ever before now! Since this is how & where we’re spending our time,  let’s do this!

Here are a few ideas for outdoor family photography experience ideas that would be perfect to document

Lake Day! There are docks and beaches all over Dane County!

Woman jumps off the end of the dock with young daughter coming after her. Outside Family Photography Activity Ideas

Mom scoops up young son while older son plays in the background.

boy stands in lake with beautiful light

Boy carries all the beach supplies in his arms as he goes to the beach.

Let’s take a neighborhood walk, bike, scooter or stroller ride. I’m positive you’re already doing this.

Family takes a walk in the neighborhood. Outside Family Photography Activity Ideas

Two dads take their two kids for a neighborhood walk

Red trike, small stuffed bear and girl in a polka dot dress

black and white. Two girls race on a tricycle. Photo shows smiles and movement. Outside Family Photography Activity Ideas

Young girl pulls up her yellow dress while getting on red trike. Outside Family Photography Activity Ideas

Black and white. Mom and young girl explore a big spider web in good light.

Want more outdoor family photography activity ideas? I betcha have a garden this year! Let’s harvest!

Mom drops green beans in a bowl. Boy holds green beans in a bowl. from an urban garden.

Mom and Dad pull carrots from front yard garden. Dad holds baby as he reaches over the garden fence.

Siblings carry watermelon and corn picked in their summer garden. Outside Family Photography Activity Ideas

Young boy gathers tomatoes from summer garden

BACKYARD! Yes, give me all your sandboxes, play structures, hammocks, swings, treehouses, trampolines–oh my!  Don’t forget the chores and games!  Someone has to have Kuub, yes? Bags? Hopscotch? Jump rope?

Family sits in a tree house in backyard. Summer evening sun is shining through tall trees.

 

Girl swings on backyard monkey bars in beautiful summer light

Dad reacts to young son hanging from rim of basketball net. Outside Family Photography Activity Ideas

Black and white. Two young girls on a tire swing.

Dad helps daughter on swings. Older child does cartwheel on trampoline

dad pushes daughter in a tree swing that is in a cherry tree. Outside Family Photography Activity Ideas

Mom pulls son on tire swing in the front yard

Mom plays soccer in the backyard with her daughter

Preteen girl lies in a colorful hammock in her front yard and smiles toward the sky. Small puppy lies with her.

Back porch family painting. Let’s make some art!

Family of four sits on back patio and paints pictures together. Painted papers are scattered and the family is engaged with each other. Outside Family Photography Activity Ideas

Got bees?

Dad and two boys inspect a backyard beehive Outside Family Photography Activity Ideas

Alfresco dining! Picnics, grilling, snacks, summer and fall fruits, ice cream treats!

Sun in trees behind house while family eats in the backyard.

Mother scoops orange sherbet for son. Orange cantaloup in the foreground.

Family eats breakfast together on back porch on summer morning. Outside Family Photography Activity Ideas

Newborn parents snack on cheese and crackers while their baby sleeps.Boy eats peach in the backyard. Juice drips all over hands.Family eats breakfast at a picnic table at the lake. Maternity photos. Outside Family Photography Activity IdeasFamily eats ice cream in the front yard of their home. Boy eats a melting Dilly Bar.

Man grills vegetables while dog watches.

b/w. Family of four eats picnic in a field. Outside Family Photography Activity Ideas

Mom feeds 5 year old daughter dinner, while 7 year old daughter reaches across table for more food

Family starts backyard campfire while eat dinner at a picnic table. Outside Family Photography Activity Ideas

Almost all of these safe outdoor family photography activity ideas can be carried well into fall–and we didn’t even touch on apple & pumpkin picking, autumn hiking, making s’mores, roasting hot dogs, drinking hot cider.  And we don’t have to stop then either–the Christmas tree hunt, snowy day sledding, sipping hot chocolate days will be a blink away from plucking apples. We are connecting and doing things–let’s get some beautiful pictures while we’re at it.

Now booking September, October, November, December.

Also!! I was asked by this dynamite podcast duo what my definition of success is and (hint) it involves you. but probably not what you think! Go listen for yourself & check out all of their other guests!

Beautifully Ordinary Logo trademark of Jen Lucas Photography; hand-scripted font

Beautifully Ordinary is a trademark of Jen Lucas Photography, LLC.