Capturing Candid Moments - Making Family Sessions Fun and Relaxed
As a family photographer, I strive to keep my sessions fun, relaxed, and filled with lots of giggles! This family photoshoot in Queen Creek was no exception - we had a blast playing in the sand and taking photos that felt authentic to who this family is. Before every session I send out a questionnaire to my clients to make sure that I capture every detail they want on their special day. This mama wanted to make sure that we got both family and individual shots while showing the closeness, fun and love that her family has together. I think we did just that!
Queen Creek Wash - The Hidden Oasis
Would you believe me if I told you that this beautiful oasis is hidden behind a grocery store? This Queen Creek location is so unique because you can grab your milk and eggs and take gorgeous family photos within a few feet of each other! There are so many great reasons the Queen Creek Wash is the best place for your next family photoshoot in Arizona.
- It runs for 7-10 miles, which means there are endless opportunities to find amazing spots for your family to shine. The entrance we used just happened to be behind the grocery store, but I know there are so many others and I can't wait to explore more!
- More space = less crowds! The last thing you want when you show up to your photoshoot is to find that everyone else had the same idea as you. When there's more people it can feel like you're just squeezing into spots, waiting your turn for that one cactus photo, or fighting antsy kids who are getting too overwhelmed with everything going on. The best part about this space is that there is so much to explore! No more worrying about your kid photo-bombing someone else's session. You and your littles have more freedom to run and play as your heart desires!
- This specific entrance to the wash is a great central location to multiple East Valley cities! It's within a 20-30 minute drive of Chandler, Gilbert, East Mesa, Queen Creek and San Tan Valley.
If I could give you only one tip it would be to wear comfortable shoes! Leave the pumps at home and wear some platforms or flats - your feet will thank you later. While it's not necessary to walk very far to get some pretty photos, if you really want to get those stunning family portraits then you should be ready for a little walk. You can wander down the wash and find some beautiful green bush, open space for those wider landscape shots, and some prickly pear cacti even hiding in there as well.
Highlights - Sand, Greenery & Blossoms
If you’re not looking for the typical desert vibe and want to incorporate lots of green, then this location is for you! Not only was there light neutral sand that made you feel like you just stepped onto the beach, but there were so many lush trees and brush that ran right alongside the sand. This created the best walk way for these family photos. I haven't been here during the Fall yet, but I can just imagine all that pretty green turning into the most dreamy oranges, yellows and reds!
This session was in the height of spring in April, so we were able to find these beautiful yellow blossoms in multiple places along the trail. The tree by the entrance gate was in full bloom with the yellow blossoms draping over the top of the gate. We started by the blossom tree with family photos, but I loved it so much that we went back for some portraits of mama and I’m so glad we did! The yellow blossoms fell right in front where they could frame her face creating such a captivating and flattering photo.
Let Them Play - My Philosophy as a Family Photographer
Family photos can be stressful, I totally get it. These sweet sisters did such an amazing job during the entire shoot and I snapped some really cute moments. I won’t lie though, there were some times where they really just wanted to play…and that’s okay! My philosophy is that if it’s okay with mom and dad, it’s okay with me! I actually encourage lots of play and movement during my sessions.
Let’s be real, no one likes standing in front of the camera and saying “cheese” for an hour, especially littles. That’s why I try to give prompts and offer poses that allow for families to bring out their wiggles and capture their genuine smiles. If I notice the kiddos are starting to need a little break, then I let them play close-by while I take a minute to snap some sweet photos of just mom + dad.
Overall, my goal at every family photoshoot is to make sure that everyone has a fun time and that we capture those candid, joy-filled, heartwarming moments. This Queen Creek location is truly a great place to make that happen with its lush trees, open space and close proximity to various cities.
If you want to create magic and document the beauty of life with your favorite people too, reach out today and let's get started!
