Family Photoshoot at a Nature Reserve in Brisbane

This family photoshoot at a Nature reserve in Brisbane was so lovely, there’s something extra special about photographing a family in a place that already holds meaning for them!

We had this session at a quiet reserve just near their home – the kind of place that’s woven into everyday life. Afternoon walks, weekend kick-arounds, familiar trees and open space. Nothing flashy. Nothing staged. Just them.

This family of five arrived much like many families do – a little hesitant. With two teenagers and one primary-schooler, enthusiasm levels were… mixed. The kids weren’t exactly thrilled about having their photos taken, and let’s just say the “nice outfits” Mum had lovingly chosen weren’t a crowd favourite either.

And that’s okay!

Because once we slowed things down and let go of the idea that this session needed to look a certain way, everything shifted.

The pressure to perform melted away. The stiff poses were forgotten. What replaced them was laughter, playful teasing, climbing trees, impromptu soccer, and those in-between moments that happen when families stop trying and simply be together.

The kids relaxed into their natural rhythm. Mum and Dad stepped back, watched, joined in, and soaked it all up. The session became less about photos and more about shared time – which is always where the magic lives.

These are the moments I love capturing most. Not perfect smiles or coordinated outfits, but real connection. The kind that reflects who a family truly is in this season – messy, joyful, growing, changing.

Because the best photos are never created from expectations. They’re created when families feel safe to be themselves, when moments unfold naturally, and when love quietly shows up in all the little ways.

And those are the images that matter long after the kids have grown.

Would you like this season of your life documented through photos?

Send me a message, I would love to chat! You can also see more about my work here.