Mauldin Family Photographer
Family Photos at Conestee Nature Preserve | Mauldin Family Photographers
Some of my favorite family sessions are the ones that feel more like playing together than posing for photos. This early morning family session at Conestee Nature Preserve was exactly that.
With two little boys, one who was 2 years old and one who was just 5 months old, we knew the session needed to be relaxed, playful, and centered around letting the kids be kids. We spent the morning snuggling, playing, laughing, and exploring while creating a gallery that captured what their family looks and feels like in this season.
If you're searching for Mauldin family photographers and love natural, joyful family photos, Conestee Nature Preserve is such a beautiful location for a session.
An Early Morning Family Session at Conestee Nature Preserve
We scheduled this session in the early morning, which gave us the prettiest soft sunlight filtering through the trees. Conestee has so much beautiful greenery during the summer, and I love the way the morning light creates that warm, glowy feeling without needing to wait until late in the evening.
It was definitely a hot and humid South Carolina summer morning, but this family handled it so well. We kept things moving, gave the boys plenty of opportunities to play, and made the most of the beautiful light.
One of the biggest advantages of morning sessions with young children is that everyone is usually well rested. For families with babies and toddlers, that can make such a difference!
Family Photos With a 2-Year-Old and 5-Month-Old
Two years old and five months old are such fun ages to photograph because both boys were in completely different stages.
Their 5-month-old was at that adorable stage where babies are starting to show so much personality. We took portraits of him sitting on a blanket in his little denim overalls, photographed him with both parents, and let Dad toss him into the air for some of my favorite images from the morning.
And his big brother brought all the toddler energy!
Instead of expecting a 2-year-old to stand still and smile at the camera for an entire session, I like to give toddlers things to do. He held Mom and Dad's hands, climbed into their laps, hugged his mama, played with his little brother, and got plenty of opportunities to move around.
Those playful moments are often where the very best photographs happen.
Creating Natural Family Photos Instead of Perfect Poses
Of course, I always make sure we get a few classic family portraits where everyone is looking at the camera. But once we have those, I love letting families interact with each other.
For this session, that meant photographing Dad playing with the boys, Mom cuddling her oldest, both parents piled onto a blanket with their children, and all four of them laughing together.
There is something so sweet about photographs that show how your family actually interacts.
Your toddler's huge laugh.
The way your baby looks at Dad.
Tiny bare feet sticking out of overalls.
The way your little boy wraps both arms around your neck.
These are the details that are so easy to forget as your children grow.
What to Wear for Summer Family Photos
I also loved this family's outfits for their Conestee Nature Preserve session.
Mom wore a beautiful floral dress with soft pink, orange, and green tones. Dad kept his outfit neutral with a light shirt and jeans, while the boys wore complementary greens and denim.
Everything coordinated without looking overly matched.
For outdoor family photos, I usually recommend choosing a color palette rather than putting everyone in the exact same colors. Mixing soft neutrals with a few colors pulled from one patterned piece, like Mom's floral dress, helps the whole family look cohesive while still giving each person their own look.
The greens in their outfits also worked beautifully with the natural surroundings at Conestee.
Why I Love Conestee Nature Preserve for Family Photos
Conestee Nature Preserve is one of my favorite options for families who want a natural setting for their photos. There are grassy areas, mature trees, beautiful filtered light, and plenty of room for little ones to move around.
That last part is especially important when I'm photographing toddlers.
I never want parents to feel like their child needs to behave perfectly for photos. If your toddler wants to run, play, climb into Dad's arms, or take a break for a snack, we can work with that.
My goal is to create beautiful family portraits while also capturing all the personality that makes your children who they are right now.
And sometimes the silly, unexpected photos end up being the ones you love the most.
Looking for Mauldin Family Photographers?
If you're searching for Mauldin family photographers and want photos that feel joyful, natural, and full of connection, I would love to photograph your family.
Whether your children are tiny babies, energetic toddlers, or somewhere in between, your session doesn't have to feel stressful or overly posed. We'll create the classic portraits you'll want hanging on your walls while leaving plenty of room for the playful, candid moments that tell your family's story.
Because these little stages really do go by so quickly.
Ready to update your family photos? Book your family session and let's preserve this season before it changes again.
