Planning on taking Spring Family Pictures? This is the ultimate guide to planning family photos for this fun time of year!

Let's talk family photos.  Now, I know…….you're thinking SPRING FAMILY PHOTOS? We just took family Christmas pictures!!!  But bear with me, I promise….it's worth it.  I'm a huge fan of taking family pictures year round.  We tend to put them off until we realize we'd like new photos for a holiday card, and then it's the busiest time of year for families (and for photographers).  One of my biggest family pictures tips? Take family photos throughout the year.  There are fun and unique things about each season (in fact, my fall family photos are some of my favorites filled with fun, rich colors every time) and you'll thank yourself for putting a little time aside to get unique and fun images.

A few Spring Family Photos Tips (that really apply to taking family pictures anytime):

1. Time of Day is Key: Think naps and snacks.  Hungry and tired kids (or adults) don't make it easy.  The goal is for any family photo sessions to be fun and enjoyable.  Bring snacks, water and try to work around nap and meal times.  Trust me, it makes a difference.
2. Music and Fun: What brings the fun for your kids? Music? Bubbles? A balloon? Talk to your photographer and ask if they have suggestions, or you can bring a little something like this to add to the photos.  They'll add life to the pictures and make this….WAY easier on all of you!
3. Who Is In Charge: Nothing tanks a photoshoot like too many cooks in the kitchen.  Decide in advance, which parent is in charge.  Or do you want direction only from the photographer?  It will make a huge difference, versus everyone asking kids to smile over and over.

Spring Family Pictures: The Ultimate Guide

Location, Location, Location:

There are so many fun options for locations that are unique to Spring Family Pictures.  Think floral, blooming plants, and fun colors.  From bluebonnets in Texas to the Flower Fields here in San Diego.…..there are so many unique options for taking fun spring photos that only come around once a year.

When planning a location, a few things to consider:

-is this an indoor or outdoor space

-will it be crowded (especially something to consider right now)

-how does the light hit the location (this is something to ask your photographer, they can tell you the ideal time of day for best light at your chosen location)

Outfits:

Planning outfits is my favorite part of planning for Spring Family Pictures (or any time of year pictures).  My goal? To have a color theme without being overly matching.  I usually pick a specific color scheme and keep everything in that vein.  For spring? Bright colors or pastels are always fun.  Pro tip? Think about the location.  What colors are THERE already.  You'll want complimentary or contrasting colors to the background, not colors that blend in.  For example, if you're shooting in the bluebonnets in Texas…….a similar blue or purple shade? Would blend right in.  A yellow would be great, or a crisp white, or soft pastels against the bright flowers.

One other thing: COMFORT.  This is supposed to LOOK LIKE YOU.  Jeans are fine.  Sneakers are fine.  Whatever feels comfortable to your family.

For this photo shoot? We visited the Spanish Art Village here in Balboa Park in our hometown of San Diego.  I knew it was filled with bright colors and contrasting backgrounds so we had a LOT of color options.  Lydia picked her dress first (this soft pink one), so I decided to go with shades of red and pink (perfect for Valentine's Day).  You can see that my dress is a deeper red than hers, and that a soft pink button down was more of Robbie's style.  But since they're all in the same color family………it blends nicely.

Shop our Outfit Pieces:

Are you taking Spring Family Pictures this year???  I hope these tips were helpful!