#1 Best Hack for Having a Family Portrait with Young Children

Families

Mar 29

One of the biggest worries is that young children will not cooperate during a family portrait session. One way I ensure a successful shoot is being mindful of bedtimes when scheduling sessions. This is especially the case when younger children are involved with their earlier bedtimes.

Outdoor portrait sessions should only happen during the golden hours. This happens in the first hour after sunrise and the last hour before sunset. I avoid the morning golden hour, so that leaves the hour before sunset. As you probably already know, sunset times vary throughout the year. Something that bedtimes typically do not do. So when we’re planning a session with kiddos, if your personal timeline allows, we’ll schedule it during a season that works with their bedtimes. In those cases where we can’t be flexible, I utilize my other superpowers! So we’re fine there too!

As we get into nicer weather here in Colorado, I urge you to start thinking about the timing of your family portrait. The season you may want to consider might not be what you were initially planning. Families often think about portraits in the summer, but a portrait during the summer could start as late as 7:00 pm! Check out the average portrait start times for full sessions each month below and choose a time that would work best with your family routine:

January - 3:30 pm
February - 4:00 pm
March - 4:30 pm before time change, 5:30 pm after time change
April - 6:00 pm
May - 6:30 pm
June - 7:00 pm
July - 7:30 pm
August - 6:30 pm
September - 5:45 pm
October - 4:45 pm
November - 4:30 pm before time change, 3:30 pm after time change
December - 3:00 pm

Please note that petite sessions typically start 45 minutes later, as these are shorter sessions and happen within the last 45 minutes before sunset.

Bonus Family Portrait Hack with Young Children:

When limited edition sessions are offered, choosing the earliest time slot can get you an even earlier time.

Sara Herkes is a maternity, newborn, and family photographer based in Longmont, CO. She serves the the Denver Metro Area, the Colorado Rockies, and the Northern Front Range and captures your pregnancy and family amidst the Colorado wilderness. Learn more about her services here.

Ultimate Family Photography Guide

Access Guide

Check out these blog posts below

Featured

The Best Red Rocks Views for Denver Family Photos

Do you want to do your Denver family photos this year with the backdrop of the iconic Red Rocks Amphitheater? Avoid the concert going crowds and have your family photos taken at this beautiful location nearby.

5 Simple Steps to Having a Successful Graduation Photoshoot

Graduation photoshoots are an amazing way to capture and preserve that momentous milestone of graduating from high school or college. Read this blog post to uncover 5 Simple Steps to a Successful Graduation Photoshoot.

Want astoundingly beautiful mountain views for your portrait session? Try Lost Gulch.

Lost Gulch Overlook in Boulder, CO is an amazing portrait location with amazing mountain views and even more epic sunsets. It’s highly recommended for both maternity and family portrait sessions.

3 Important Things to Know about Chautauqua and your Boulder Family Photography

Do you want to do your Boulder family photography this year at Chautauqua? Here are three important things you should know before you choose that location for your family photoshoot.