One of my favorite sessions this summertime was with the Thompson Family at Bonnet Springs Park in Lakeland. The original date turned into a crazy rainstorm (good ole' Florida summer!), so this date was the backup date. It was a perfect day! If you haven't been to this park, you need to check it out! It is a massive park with walking trails, butterfly garden, treehouse, a Starbucks, and so much more!
The Thompsons were such so much fun! They were playful and danced and just enjoyed their time together, which makes my job as the photographer so much easier! The tall trees and wide sidewalks at Bonnet Springs Park were the perfect setting for the session and allowed for a ton of playing without getting so hot and sweaty too.
Tips on how to enjoy summertime family sessions at Bonnet Springs Park (or anywhere really!):
1. Pick a day that the park will be less crowded.
The weekdays are always best for that! BSP is a very popular park for families so weekends can be difficult to find empty areas for your session. Yes, sometimes it's unavoidable to schedule a weekday session. If that's the case, I recommend staying away from the most popular spots of the park. That way your photos won't be full of strangers and it may help your kiddos focus a bit better if they aren't distracted by others.
2. Bring water and snacks for your kiddos.
While playing and having fun during our session, we have to remember we're still in Florida during the summertime. Kids will get hot fast. Having water on hand will help keep them refreshed and happy longer. Likewise, snacks are also a good idea to bring to keep them distracted. We all know little kids love to eat! Having some simple snacks ready for them to grab will also give them an energy boost to sustain them for the session.
3. Play!
Keeping kids engaged in an hour-long photoshoot is hard if all we want them to do is smile. They won't last long at all! Playing as a family during the photoshoot helps in many ways: Duration, serotonin, and memories. Your family will last longer if they're having fun. Remember that expression "time flies when you're having fun?" Yep, it's true. Having fun also brings out the authentic smiles! This is my favorite part as a photographer. When I can capture your kids laughing and giving me authentic smiles, I know you'll enjoy the photos more. You can tell when your kids have a fake smile and you won't enjoy those photos. And lastly, you and your family will look back at the photos with fond memories. You didn't have to get frustrated at your kids to stay seated and you weren't upset with your husband for not smiling. You remember dancing with each other, playing tag, kissing and tickles. Those are the memories you want from your session.
The kids did so good! They were both so sweet and did not have a fussy moment at all. Great job! Bonnet Springs Park is one of my new favorite locations for family sessions, even in the summertime.
Want to book your summertime family session at Bonnet Springs Park with me?
Click here to book your session with me!
I will be hosting a Bonnet Springs Park mini on Saturday, October 21. Information can be found here.
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