Outdoor Family Photoshoot | Malibu, California
This Post Contains Affiliate LinksThe Klick Family and I had a beautiful Outdoor Family Photoshoot at one of my favorite locations here in Malibu. Originally we planned to do the session at another location just inland, but Olivia expressed her concerns about the heat (it was the dead of summer, in the middle of a heatwave). We quickly switched gears and decided to do the session at Charmlee Wilderness Park instead.
Charmlee Park is just up Encinal Canyon from PCH, so we had a nice cool session thanks to the gentle ocean breeze.
Keep scrolling to view more images from this session and read about my tips for an Outdoor Family Photoshoot.
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Tips for an Outdoor Family Photoshoot
Jump to Pictures1~ Get Dressed up for your Outdoor Family Photoshoot
One thing I’ll never forget from this shoot is Olivia asking me if she should wear this nicer dress. She thought that since we were outdoors, it should be casual. I told her she should wear the dress and get dressed up! If you dress up and style yourselves in an elevated manor, your images will reflect that. These pictures would have taken on a totally different vibe if they dressed down and went for a more casual look.
My friend over at Light Livin Photography has a great LTK page that has lots of inspiration for the whole family.
View Amber’s LTK page here.
Another great boutique that I love (and am affiliated with) is Morning Lavender. You can get 10% off your order with my code, Megan Moore.
2~ Bring Props to your Outdoor Family Photoshoot
Some of my favorite items to bring to an Outdoor Family Photoshoot is a white blanket and a basket. The blanket allows you and our little ones to sit down and get some cuddly photos. I also like to use it for the game “parachute”, where the parents lift the blanket over the children’s heads and let them run through.
Baskets are great props for your little ones to hold if they want to go out and explore the location we’re in. And if your baby is closer to newborn, baskets make a great place to lay them.
Here are other great props for an Outdoor Family Photoshoot:
3~ How to achieve a Connection Based Outdoor Family Photoshoot
Connection based meaning most of your images are going to be of your family looking at and connecting with each other, instead of stiff “everyone smile at the camera!”
But how do we achieve these images? By allowing perfection fall away and let your kids be kids. If your child wants to be held and cuddled, hold and cuddle them. If they want to walk around and explore, we will walk around and explore. If they want to play connection based games, we will play connection based games. Parents, your only job is to smile and provide mess free snacks! I’ll take care of the rest.
My favorite connection based games:
Airplane
Parachute
Ring around the Rosie
“We had such a great time at our family portraits session with Megan! She is so talented and has such a great eye for lighting — our photos turned out stunning. She kept our one-year-old smiling and entertained throughout. The location she recommended was beautiful as well. We’ll cherish these photos for years to come. Thank you so much Megan!”
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About Megan W Photography
Megan is a Fine Art Maternity, Couples, and Family photographer who was born, raised, and is still living in Malibu, CA. She is here to capture you and your loved ones in images that you will want to cherish, and pass down to future generations.
Not only is she a photographer, but she is a mother, wife, daughter, and sister.
Maternity, family, and couples hold a special place in her heart because she knows how quickly time flies by. Megan W Photography wants to help you preserve those sweet little smiles, those tender, affectionate moments, and the love you share with each other.
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Hi! I’m Megan
I’m a luxury, Malibu, CA based photographer who specializes in Maternity, Couples, and families. I serve Los Angeles and Ventura County, as well as all of California. I value tangible, heirloom art pieces versus digital and I focus on quality over quantity.
