The best photo session ideas for family come from making things personal, intentional to your loved ones, and most importantly – interactive for your kids! As a Virginia Beach family photographer and a mother to a busy 10-month old, I know sitting your kiddos down to take posed photos is not always guaranteed (in fact, I can say with complete certainty that it is not).

Removing staged poses and incorporating fun activities so your kids can get involved, create natural moments, and feel comfortable to show their personalities is so important for your photoshoot to feel enjoyable.

Enjoy my 10 kid-focused photo session ideas for your family shoot! You are going to have a mindset shift around planning out ideas for the next photo session with your family. 

Baking Cookies as a Family for Your Portrait Session

Delicious cookies + making a mess with the single-most-messiest ingredient there is – flour. This is a kiddos dream come true as well as your family photographer’s! Involving your children in an activity that you do everyday is not only going to turn a photoshoot into a beautiful, real moment with amazing images – it’s going to encourage them to participate in things that you do. Plus, you get to enjoy some really good cookies, which is always a win!

Planting Flowers in the Garden

Letting your children dig, get dirty & plant something they can watch grow keeps the fun going even after the photoshoot! This allows for sweet moments, messy hugs & the best photos of little hands in dirt. This is really the epitome of what it means to be a kid in the the summertime. ❤️

Backyard Painting Fun: The Messiest of My Photo Session Ideas for Your Family

Let your kids paint your feet, arms, and yes, faces! The goofiest belly-laughs will be sure to follow. Let those giggles overflow and let your child be creative while I capture all of the sweet smiles! 

Have a Living Room Dance Party 

Need I say more? Bonus points if you’re playing Taylor Swift, but don’t worry – my focus is making sure you guys are jamming to something that you love! Create a playlist before your session & play it together while I capture your dancing feet & “mommy, spin me!” moments. You will never regret a moment spent holding & dancing with your kids. In fact, we all could use a bit more joy in dancing a few minutes every single day. 

Read at the Library Together: a More Relaxed Photo Shoot Idea for Family Sessions

We’re winding things down a bit with some quiet-time reading at the library. Is there anything better than settling in on some children’s-section beanbags & armed with a copy of “Curious George”? You’re ready to have some snuggly time in the pages of your child’s favorite book. Point to photos as you read, let them choose a book or peek out the windows at the world outside. 

If you’re a Norfolk, Virginia local – checkout the Slover Library downtown! This library has an awesome kids section and tons of ways children can get involved with community classes & events. 

Collect Seashells at the Beach

Getting outside for fresh air is always one of my number-one suggestions for a family session. Anything that involves the beach is #2 (not that I’m biased after growing up in Virginia Beach)! Let’s head to Chic’s or the North End & see who can find the prettiest shells as we walk the waterfront. Follow it up with a silly game of tag, a picnic lunch or spending some time in the waves together! The options are endless when it comes to a summertime beach-day. 

Nature Walk Adventure 

Turn a regular hike into an adventure in nature with your kids! Play I-Spy with different flowers, hold hands as you walk & point out different animals you might see as you enjoy the fresh air with your children. If this is something you regularly love doing together – maybe head to a trail that you regularly visit to seal in some familiarity & remember all of the times you spent there together as a family. 

Family photo session tip from Maura:

Movement is the best way to get effortless, natural photos of your children! Choosing things that allow them to move, jump around & explore is one of my best tips for a family photo shoot that feels easy and fun. Nothing will feel forced & they’ll have a blast doing it! 

Playtime at Home 

Your safe space & the setting of your child’s everyday life. Home is one of my personal favorite places to photograph families for their photoshoots! I have the chance to capture the tender, everyday moments of growing-up with making a Saturday morning breakfast, building blocks in the living room or snuggling up on the couch to watch a movie together. These are of sweet snuggles & pieces of your lives found in your child’s artwork on the fridge or their favorite stuffed animal laying on the couch. Your gallery will be full of moments that you will treasure when they are big!

Family Neighborhood Bike Ride 

Grab your bikes for this one and head around the neighborhood! If you have a child that is just learning how to ride their bike, let’s capture those moments together because they truly grow so fast.

Backyard Bubbles 

One of the best family photoshoot prompts there is – this turns your kids quite literally into jumping beans! See who can pop the most bubbles, play your favorite music & let everyone have a turn at blowing the bubbles. For MEGA bubble excitement – ask me to bring my bubble machine! 

A Freebie for You – 10 Tips on How to Take Better Smartphone Photos

I created a guide just for you for taking amazing photos of your kids without booking a photoshoot. I know that professional photos aren’t always in everyone’s budget. Because of that, I am passionate about making sure that you have the tools to create beautiful memories with your children! I believe that everyone is so deserving to have photos of their lives & the people we love that fill it. This guide will be available for download on September 19th, 2025! Click here to join the waitlist to get first dibs. Make sure to send me any photos you take of your kids with my tips over on Instagram! I would love to see. 

Let’s Plan Your Virginia Beach Family Photoshoot Together

If you’re still struggling with coming up with ideas for your family photo session after reading my guide – Virginia Beach family photoshoots are my speciality! I create customized session guides for every client that works with me so we can plan a shoot that is unique, sentimental & the perfect activity for making fun memories with your kids. Whether that’s at the North End building sandcastles, hanging out at Stumpy Lake Park, or just simply spending time at your own home – I’d love to hear from you! Click here to reach out about your family photoshoot for this fall or connect with me on Instagram for more family photoshoot ideas!