Forget the Field: Why Your Next Family Photo Session Might Be Better in the City | Los Angeles Lifestyle Family Photographer
Let’s talk about a mindset shift that more families need to hear: family photos don’t have to happen in a golden field at sunset. In fact, some of the most fun, meaningful, and real sessions I’ve ever shot happened in the middle of a city street, in front of a TJ Maxx, or near a shadow-soaked sidewalk in Pasadena.
Yep. You read that right. TJ Maxx.
Lindsey and Phil know this better than most. These two have been in front of my lens for years—from their early couple sessions and virtual engagement shoot during lockdown, to their wild and windy Salton Sea and Glamis Dunes sessions (seriously once you have finished this blog, go check those out), their downtown LA wedding, maternity, newborn, and now… toddler life. I’ve been lucky enough to witness their relationship grow in front of my camera. And this time, we ditched the field and hit the streets.
The Unexpected Magic of a City Session
This Pasadena session wasn’t about perfectly curated outfits or chasing golden hour (not that I don’t love that too!). It was all about being present in the moment with their 3-year-old, laughing as we played an impromptu game of tic tac toe on the sidewalk, dancing in front of store windows, and seeing what moments would unfold when no one was trying too hard.
Spoiler alert: those are always the best moments.
When families let go of the idea that a photo session has to look like everyone else’s, something shifts. The pressure lifts. The fun shows up. And that’s when the photos start to feel like them.
If you're thinking about booking a session but aren't sold on cityscapes, here are a few things to consider:
5 Tips for Choosing a Location That Actually Feels Like You
1. Be honest in your questionnaire.
I take everything you tell me into consideration—how your kids act in new environments, what kinds of places feel nostalgic or fun, how much chaos you’re cool with. I use that to craft a session that fits your vibe, not just what looks good on Pinterest.
2. Think beyond “pretty.”
That sidewalk you walk every weekend? The coffee shop where your toddler insists on pushing every chair? These are places layered with meaning—and that makes for incredible storytelling.
3. Let your photographer lead.
I scout and choose the location for every session unless you have a spot that’s sentimental to you. Trust that I’ll find the weird, the wild, and the wonderfully photogenic corners of LA (yes, even near a TJ Maxx).
4. Stop aiming for perfect.
This isn’t about perfectly behaved kids or everyone looking at the camera. It’s about documenting life as it is—chaotic, joyful, surprising. That’s where the good stuff lives.
5. Choose someone who sees the magic in the unexpected.
Look through a photographer’s portfolio. Do the images feel alive? Do they make you feel something? If so, that’s your person.
The Sessions That Stick
When I think about the sessions I can’t stop thinking about, this one with Lindsey, Phil, and their little one is at the top of the list. Not because the location was glamorous. But because it was real. It was honest. And it felt like them.
You don’t need a mountain view or a wildflower field to make your photos mean something. You just need to show up as yourself—and maybe be open to a little sidewalk tic tac toe.
If you’re the kind of family that values fun over perfection, if you're okay with a little unpredictability and a lot of heart, let's talk. Contact Me HERE
Your favorite photo might just be the one taken in front of a clothing store.
