Family Photos With Young Kids: What to Expect During a Full Session | Lookout Park in Daybreak
ESTIMATED READ TIME: 5 MINUTES
Family sessions with little kids are one of my favorite things to photograph as a Utah family photographer. Over the years of working in family photography, I’ve learned that sessions with toddlers and young kids have their own rhythm. If you’re planning family pictures with little ones, it’s helpful to understand something every parent already knows: kids have a limited attention span.
That doesn’t mean your session will be chaotic or stressful. In fact, when we work with that energy instead of against it, family photos can become playful, relaxed, and full of genuine moments. As a South Jordan family photographer, I design sessions so families can feel relaxed, comfortable, and present with their loved ones while we document joyful moments together.
This recent family photography session at Lookout Park in the Daybreak area of South Jordan was a perfect example of how a relaxed photo shoot can naturally evolve as kids settle in, get curious, get silly, and eventually get tired.
Capturing the “Everyone Looking” Photos First
When photographing families with young kids or babies, the most structured photos always happen right at the beginning of the session. At the start of this family session, everyone was fresh, engaged, and ready to go. This is the perfect window for capturing those classic portraits where everyone is looking at the camera and smiling.
We began near the sandy beach area by the water at Lookout Park, where the lighting was soft. During this portion of the session we focused on:
- Full family portraits
- Parent + kid combinations
- The traditional “everyone smiling” group photos
- A few playful interactions while attention was still high
“Mini” Family Session
Starting at $150
- Perfect for holiday cards!
- Session is 10 minutes
- 15 edited images
- $75 non-refundable deposit to book
- Remainder due the day before the session
- Travel fees applicable if 35+ miles from West Jordan
“Full” Family Session
Starting at $325
- Less than 10 people
- Session typically lasts 60 minutes
- 50+ edited images
- $100 non-refundable deposit to book
- Remainder due the day before the session
- Travel fees applicable if 35+ miles from West Jordan
“Extended” Family Session
Starting at $450
- 10+ people
- Session typically lasts 60 minutes
- 70+ edited images
- $100 non-refundable deposit to book
- Remainder due the day before the session
- Travel fees applicable if 35+ miles from West Jordan
Exploring the Park (And Letting Kids Be Kids)
Once we captured the more traditional portraits, we began moving around the park. Lookout Park offers so many beautiful little pockets for family pictures, from the wooden dock to open grassy areas and the playground.Changing scenery keeps kids engaged, sparks laughter, and allows families to experience genuine joyful moments together.
As the session continued, the kids naturally started shifting into exploration mode. A patient photographer understands that these unscripted moments often lead to the most meaningful images. The kids ran (and crawled) across the grass and climbed around the playground equipment while I documented the in-between moments. These are the images that often end up being parents’ favorites.
When Attention Starts to Fade (And That’s Totally Normal)
Around halfway through most family sessions with toddlers, you’ll notice a shift. Kids start getting tired. Their focus drifts. The smiles turn into goofy faces or other emotions. This is completely normal!
Instead of trying to force more posed photos, this is usually when I transition to movement prompts, playful interactions, and candid storytelling. Running, spinning, laughing, tossing kids in the air, or letting them explore the environment keeps things fun while still producing beautiful images.
And because we captured the “must-have” portraits earlier, parents can relax knowing we already got the essentials.
Sneaking in a Quick Couples Moment
One of the most important photos I encourage during every family session is a photo of just mom and dad together. Parents almost always say something like:
“We don’t need that.”
“Let’s just focus on the kids.”
But here’s the truth: your relationship is the reason this family exists. Your wedding day may have been the last time you had professional photos taken together, and that moment deserves to be documented again. As someone who is both a family photographer and wedding photographer, I always believe those small couple moments matter. Even if it’s just a few quick photos, you deserve to have a moment documented where you’re not just “mom” and “dad” — you’re partners. Husband and wife, and best friends.
Toward the end of this session, the kids were getting tired, so mom and dad pulled out a wagon they had brought along. The kids happily climbed inside, which gave us the perfect opportunity for a quick five-minute couples segment.
The wagon stayed directly behind where I was standing so the kids were still in their parents’ eyeline, and we were able to capture a handful of relaxed, sweet photos of the two of them together. Sometimes that’s all it takes: a few minutes and a little creativity. But those images often end up being some of the most meaningful from the entire session.
Planning Family Photos in South Jordan or Daybreak
As a passionate family photographer serving South Jordan and the greater Salt Lake area, I’m always looking for locations with beautiful light and spaces where families can explore naturally. The parks around Daybreak are wonderful for family sessions, especially for families with young children. Open spaces, water features, and playground areas make it easy to keep kids engaged while creating a variety of beautiful backdrops within a short walking distance with mountains in the far background.
If you’re considering family photos and have little ones, don’t stress about whether they’ll behave perfectly. They don’t need to; your kids just need to show up as themselves. That’s where the magic happens.
The Reality of Family Photos With Young Kids
If you take away one thing from this session, let it be this: Family sessions with toddlers are not about perfection. They’re about documenting personality, connection, laughter, big hugs, and the little details that turn into lifelong memories. Family photos become timeless memories that future generations will treasure, preserving the joy and beauty of everyday life.
A successful family session usually follows a natural flow:
- Start with posed family portraits
- Transition into playful interactions
- Capture candid exploration
- End with relaxed moments as kids wind down
When sessions follow this rhythm, kids don’t feel pressured and parents end up with a gallery that tells the real story of their family.
A Quick Bonus: Dad Needed Headshots
Right before we wrapped up, dad asked if we could grab a few quick headshots. This is something I’m always happy to squeeze in if time allows. Whether it’s for LinkedIn, a company bio, or professional branding, having a fresh headshot can be incredibly useful. Since we were already there with great lighting and a beautiful backdrop, it only took a few minutes to capture a few clean, professional portraits before finishing up the session. It’s one of the little extra ideas I offer lots of clients during sessions when time and lighting allow.
Ready to Schedule Your Family Session?
Whether your kids are toddlers who love to run or older kids who would rather explore than pose, family photos can still be relaxed, fun, and meaningful. If you’re looking for a Utah family photographer in South Jordan, Daybreak, Salt Lake City, or nearby communities, I’d love to help you capture this season with thoughtful family photography. Head over to my contact form and tell me a little about your family. Let’s plan a session that captures your story exactly as it is right now.
