TradeWinds Resort Family Vacation Beach Pictures
EXTENDED FAMILY PHOTO SESSION TIPS!
Oh my lanta, what a joyful and fun family this was. I just love when families contact me for family photos while all vacationing in the Tampa Bay area. I think after Covid significantly cut down on travel and family time things are really back in business here for documenting your family together. I mean, how can you not want to photograph these moments of being back together? I am here for it. TheseTradeWinds Resort family vacation beach pictures were full of light, connection and fun. Some of the little ones were less excited for smiling for the camera, and that is okay. It is good to remember how they were. Not just a picture perfect idea of how your kids are. Once the littles were let loose in the sand, I think their true personalities really came through.
As always, I start family portraits off the beach if at all possible. Honestly, the sun can be super bright when we first start. That earlier start gives us more time to get to know each other, let kiddos warm up and also allows for breaks for snacks and water, or milk, while we are at the session, too. Most resorts, condos and vacation rentals have some green space or shaded areas for us to do a few portraits off the beach. These are great before the little ones just want to run in the water or play in the sand. I usually play some games to bring attention back to photos for a few moments and then let them play and take a break as needed. I work with older siblings or adults to let the kids have breaks during the extended family photo session as much as we can.
A few other tips for a successful extended family session, especially for the beach, but not limited to beach sessions are noted below:
EAT! Make sure everyone eats before we meet (often the sunset or golden hour is right at dinner or just before in winter months, so a larger snack or later lunch helps keep everyone happy and not hangry).
Snacks! Honestly, even if you fed everyone, bring a few age appropriate clean snacks. What are clean snacks? Snacks that don’t leave your kids hands, faces, teeth or clothing full of food :) Pretzels, gummy packs, yogurt melts, crackers that don’t have fake cheese on them, etc. Not great for snakcs: chocolate, even M&Ms get colorful on hands if they melt, Cheeze-its or other orange dusty snacks like it, easy to choke on items, or sticky lollipops, etc.
Water is a good idea when it is hot out! Every parent has had a kid melt down they are thirsty and bringing water with can really help prevent a panic thirst attack.
Hair ties and bobby pins, etc., can really help when the wind picks up at the beach! Every time you adjust your hair it may mean that image is unusable. I would rather have more windblown, beach hair, over your hands constantly in your face adjusting your hair!
Layer up the beach can be cooler! Which is a welcome relief in the middle of summer or any hot day in Florida!
Parents, as adults, you just keep smiling! If you want the more traditional images, just keep smiling and let me take care of getting the kiddos attention. Don’t point or keep looking to make sure they are smiling :) I will do my best to get crazy with animal noises and funny attention grabbers. If I need you to help, I will just ask you to tickle or snuggle in on your kiddo or move them up and down to get a moment of smiles as they settle in. Don’t stress too much though, again, every kid goes through an age and stage where they may be hesitant to strangers, or in a new routine and just not into smiling on command. So, instead, hug, love and play with them and some smiles will come out!
Are you planning a spring break vacation to Tampa Bay or St Petersburg/Clearwater? I would love to document your family. I am starting to book up March and into April now, but a few weekdays and weekend spots are still open. Contact me today to start planning a way to document your trip and update your family photos on our beautiful beaches or great parks!
