As someone who spends her days capturing other families’ stories, being on the other side of the lens is always a humbling reminder of what it feels like. The nerves, the planning of a sydney family photoshoot, the wild cards (hello, moody children); but also the magic.
Recently, we had the incredible experience of our own family photoshoot, hiring the beautiful Anya Maria Photography while she was here for her Within Workshop. I’ve adored Anya’s work for years…the way she captures softness, connection, and soul with such effortlessness. Her images are honest and human, and truly beautiful. They hold the personality of each person, and yet flow so seamlessly as a whole. It was such a special experience.
Choosing the Right Photographer for Your Sydney Family Photoshoot
If you’re in the planning stages yourself, my biggest advice is this: choose someone whose work moves you. Not just pretty pictures, but someone whose portfolio makes you feel something. Trust and connection with your photographer will allow you to be yourselves and that’s when the real magic happens.
Location Decisions for Our Sydney Family Photoshoot
We had originally dreamed of going further out of Sydney for a dramatic landscape, but with my son’s uni schedule meaning we couldn’t spare the driving time, we stayed closer to home. In the end, I decided on one of my favourite Sydney photo locations, a beautiful open field…quiet, filled with golden grass and soft winter light. It gave us all the natural elements I love: simplicity, warmth, and space for everyone to breathe and just be.
What We Wore
Styling is something I always talk to my clients about, so I followed my own advice. For the boys, Industrie is my go-to. Their colour palette and modern shapes always work beautifully in photos. My husband went with a simple Country Road t-shirt as he’s not one to make a fuss with clothes. Whilst I did buy a couple new dresses for the photoshoot, I ended up choosing a Zimmermann dress I already had in my wardrobe as I loved the colours together with the boys outfits, and I paired it with tall soft tan leather boots for an Autumn look. Keep it simple, stay true to your style, and aim for harmony in tones and textures.
Planning for the Unexpected During Your Sydney Family Photography Session
I always recommend planning a little buffer into your day. We tried to prioritise rest beforehand (not always easy with a tween and a teenager!), and booked a nice dinner afterwards to make the day feel like a celebration. The weather was looking pretty miserable in the lead-up with grey skies and threatening rain, but we crossed our fingers, and the clouds held off for us. Sydney weather can be so up and down from one minute to the next, that it’s really hard to trust the weather forecast, and you just have to trust that it will all work out.
And as I mentioned, my boys were in moods. But that’s real life, right? This is where having the right photographer makes all the difference. Anya worked her gentle magic and won them over quickly. Before long, we were all laughing, cuddling, and genuinely enjoying ourselves without even thinking about the camera.
What Comes Next
The best part of the process? Deciding how we’ll enjoy our photos. I’ve ordered a beautiful fine art album through Anya, and we chose the most stunning cover material, in a gorgeous and timeless colour that will live on our coffee table. A few favourite frames will go up on our walls, where we’ll see them every day.
Because that’s what it’s all about…creating something you’ll live with, not just scroll past.
Getting your family photographed isn’t always easy…it takes effort, vulnerability, and a little faith in the process. But when you find the right person, let go of perfection, and simply lean in, it becomes something truly unforgettable. And the right photographer will take away as many of the stresses as possible to make it a seamless process, and one that you can actually enjoy!
And now I’m so grateful, I get to relive this moment with my own family… every time I walk past the frame or turn the pages of our album.
Curious what a family photoshoot with me looks like? Have a look through our portfolio and get inspired for your own session.
