Family Vacation Photos Naples, Florida
Are you vacationing in Naples, Florida? Consider taking family vacation photos while you’re here! Naples is known for its pristine white beaches and lush parks that both provide gorgeous backdrops for family photos. For this reason, Naples Florida is the perfect place to capture your family vacation photos!
Why are Family Vacation Photos Important?
Preserve Your Vacation Memories
One of the reasons for hiring a professional for family vacation photos is that it helps preserve your memories. Yes, we have iPhones, but the quality of photos from a professional will far surpass the phone’s capabilities. Not only that, you’ll all be in the photos instead of one of you missing all of the time. Lastly, as a professional photographer with years of experience, I now know how to direct families so that I can get everyone on board to be in photos together!
Change of Scenery
Another reason to have family vacation photos taken is the change of scenery. Often we get our family photos taken in the same city or location year after year. Switching it up to a place you are vacationing helps give your photos a special look and feel.
Relaxed Vibe For Photos
Let’s face it, vacation helps us all relax! I often find families are in such great moods for their family vacation photos. I tend to recommend the last days of the vacation for scheduling the session because it allows you to settle into Naples for a few days.
Where to take family vacation photos in Naples, Florida
The Park
One of my favorite places to photograph families in Naples, Florida is at one of our gorgeous parks. The lush greenery here makes for the perfect backdrop for your family portraits. I’ve photographed families at Baker Park, Sugden Park, various golf courses, and many more!
The Beaches
Let’s not discount the most obvious answer here. The beaches of Naples are my favorite place to photograph families. Even if you choose to start at a park for your family photos, I highly recommend ending the session at the beach for sunset.
The best part about using the beach as your location for family vacation photos is you get to take of your shoes and run free in the sand!
The Hotel You’re Staying at
While the Winkler family was staying at an Airbnb for this trip there are many hotels that I recommend if you’re looking for ease of family vacation photos right on site of where you’re staying.
Here are a few of my favorite hotels for families in Naples, Florida: The Ritz Carlton at Vanderbilt Beach, The Edgewater Hotel, and the Bella Sera. The Bella Sera is not right on the beach, but has a free beach shuttle which makes it easy to get to the beach while also incorporating some photos around the hotel first. If you’re looking for non-beach photos, The Ritz Tiburon is a gorgeous location more inland that works great for family vacation photos!
Things to Remember for Having your family photos taken while on vacation
Book the session for the middle part of your vacation
I always recommend that clients book their vacation photos for the middle part of their vacation for a few reasons. First, travel can be delayed by a few hours or a day and that leaves you 1-2 days to get here and settle in.
Second, if there is any reason you need to move the session back a day or two, scheduling it in the middle of your vacation will allow you a buffer of days to select from at the back end.
Sometimes the weather doesn’t cooperate or a child gets sick, or there is an unforeseen reason a session may need to move a day back. Leave yourself at least a one day buffer before and after your scheduled photo session date incase you need to reschedule.
Remember to pack the “chosen” photo outfits separately
While on vacation, you sometimes won’t have access to a washing machine. For this reason, pack your outfits for the session separately. That way, your children aren’t tempted to accidentally wear the outfit you chose for the session earlier in the week.
Once you arrive, take out your outfits from the bag and keep them somewhere safe where wrinkles have time to release. You may need to iron a few of them before if they were packed tightly!
Consider Weather Changes
Because Naples, Florida is a coastal beach town, the weather can change quickly. Wind isn’t usually a reason to cancel a family session so remember to bring hair ties for long hair so you can still preserve your memories without hair in your face!
Remember to Make Your Family Vacation Photos Fun!
Balance Natural and posed photos
Part of the fun of vacation photos is that you’re somewhere new! Allow your children to explore the area and run around. It makes for great photos and the movement often keeps the kids happy!
As a professional photographer, I’m easily able to reign children in for a posed photo after a bit of more natural movement
Turn the session into a family activity
For instance, instead of trying to sell your children on taking family photos, tell them you’re going to go create memories together. Allow them to dig for sea-shells, write their name in the sand and run around playing games.
If they are older children, they can chase the waves, play a beach game, or dance to their favorite music.
If in a greenery area, they can hide behind the plants, climb a safe tree, or search for beautiful flowers. 
Wear vacation vibed and relaxed clothes
Chances are you’re going to be in the sand at some point of your family vacation photo session. Consider Allowing your children to wear more relaxed outfits.
Don’t forget, going barefoot is an easy way to help the session feel more relaxed and fun.
Lastly, consider having your children partake in choosing their session outfit. You can pick a few select favorites and then present them as options: Would you want to wear this shirt or this one?
Above all else, its about the memories
Often we can get lost in the idea that a family photo session is about capturing the perfect family photo. But, family vacation photos are meant to feel different. These sessions are a way to preserve your memory of this fleeting time together. After all, your kids will never be this young again.
For this reason, laugh more, hug tightly, and smile big. Remember, its about the memories you make together more than any perfect one photo.
Are you vacationing in Naples, Florida this year? Consider taking family vacation photos. After all, family photos are a great way to connect. If you have any questions, get in touch! I’m always happy to guide you in making the best decision for you and your family.
