Prospect Park autumn family photos.

I had a great time taking family photos of this lively family of seven in Brooklyn’s largest park. Just before the cold winter weather set in, I had a chance to meet them and capture some beautiful memories. Since the children ranged in age, I had to come up with an idea that would keep everyone engaged but not tire out the youngest ones.

I worked hard and was fortunate enough to succeed. While the father and others played football on the grass, I took pictures of the mother and daughters. There was also a perfect climbing tree where I could take group photos of them having fun. I also played a phone game with them, allowing me to capture candid photos of the children interacting with their parents and the parents taking care of their children.

The most natural way to keep my family engaged and wait for the fun outcomes was to take short videos of everything that was happening, along with sound. In doing so, we were able to transform our regular session into a video family session. The final result was great!

Family video session

Family session posing

This photo is a must-have for every family, but it can take time to organize. I strive for simplicity and efficiency so we can quickly move on to other activities.

I can arrange all the photos for you, including group photos like mum with daughters, dad with boys only, and all kids alone. I believe that Mom and Dad deserve to have some photos of their own, so I usually take them in between the locations. During that time, the kids can go with my assistant to the second location to take some photos of just mum and dad being close to each other. I can also take single portraits of the kids if you and they would like to have them.

It also works really well if you take some field games with you. Football or friesbie is a great idea. So when I take photos of one group, the other one can go and play. This way I can keep the experience more as a family event rather than a formal family session. 

What Games to play for at the family session?

I like to keep it simple and according to the kids age. It is always better when kids and parents are engaged in activity so they don’t get board. Here are some examples of what I do:

1. Tag game – that does need any explanation. A lot of dynamic movement allows me to stay in the safe distance and photograph  what is happening. Alternatively we can do kids races.
2.  Telephone game – I line up the whole family and give the first member of the team the cue to remember. Then they pass that cue to the end by whispering to each others ears. What comes up at the end is always a big surprise.
3. Tickle fight – gives a lot of laughs and candid reactions.

There are few more of those and if you have an idea what will work with your kids let me know we can surly try it. 

Where to go for photos in Prospect Park?

During the weekend when the park was crowded, I decided to stay within the closed area. I chose the surroundings of the boathouse as there were many different backdrops in close proximity.

I have prepared full list of places for family sessions in Prospect Park. Check out this guide before heading out. 

When is the best time to take family photos?

The best time for a photo shoot is on a weekday because there are fewer people around, giving us more space and reducing the chance of random people appearing in the background.

How long does a family photo and video session take?

Usually, an hour and a half is more than enough to take all the photos you want. It also depends on how many family members you have and your kids’ age. The younger they are, the shorter time we will have to keep them engaged in taking photos.  This Prospect Park family session took precisely 90 minutes. In fact, it was just enough to take some posed and candid photos.

I understand that taking photos is just one part of the family session. That’s why I take pride in providing excellent family videos, too. These videos capture genuine moments from the session, including sounds that we record when you interact with your loved ones. They’re a fantastic way to preserve memories and relive your reactions in a fun and lively way.

For more details on the topography of the Prospect Park, head out to the Prospect Park map.