With its beautiful flowers, winding garden paths, and greenery backdrops, Green Spring Gardens is one of my favorite locations for family photos in Alexandria. It truly offers a little bit of everything, making for diverse galleries full of natural beauty. From the moment you arrive at the park, you’re greeted with gorgeous flowers even in the parking area. Early mornings and evenings are especially beautiful with soft light filtering through the gardens.
This sweet family of six recently relocated from sunny San Diego to Washington, D.C., and were still getting to know the area when they reached out to me about family photos. Since they are fairly new to the area, they weren’t sure where to schedule their session. After talking with them and getting an idea of the type of session they wanted, I suggested Green Springs Garden Park. I’m so glad that they were up for it!
I always recommend to my clients to take the location into consideration when planning outfits for their sessions, and this family was a perfect example of how beautifully everything can come together. The whole family showed up looking absolutely stunning for a garden session. They chose a palette of soft colors, and the girls’ flowing floral dresses matched the garden vibe perfectly. They all looked ready for a fun garden tea party!
Sometimes, being in front of a camera can feel stiff and awkward, especially in those first few minutes. Kids especially are so used to “smiling for the camera,” that it can be difficult to loosen up stiff smiles. I have found that introducing some simple games can help ease everyone into a playful mindset.
After the first little game with this family, everyone began to relax, the laughter became real, personalities shined through, and the session felt less like taking photos and more like spending quality time together. The kids ended up laughing through the entire session and I was able to capture some great candid laughter and quality moments among siblings.
I love to document your family’s connection.
If you’re ready to plan your own family session, I’d love to help you choose the perfect location and capture your family just as you are. Contact me and let’s get started!
