Three Sweet Details that Made this McKinney Family Photo Session So Much Fun

I met Ashley and her sweet family a couple years ago when I took their Christmas family photos. When Ashley reached out this year about a fall family session, I was thrilled to work with her again as her McKinney, TX. photographer. It was so easy to capture the love this adorable family of six shared, from sibling silliness to the enduring chemistry between Mom and Dad. 

It’s such a blessing to work with repeat clients and witness the ways families grow and change—it makes every gallery a joy to compile! With this session, there were lots of sweet details that had me gushing over the final photos. Here are three of my favorite things about this McKinney family photo shoot.

A Casual, Authentic Atmosphere

One of the reasons I love working with repeat clients is because of the relationship we’ve already established. Even though it had been a few years, it was easy to reconnect with Ashley, her husband, and her sweet kids, which always makes it easier for me to direct each photograph. We were able to dive right into natural poses that show real connection. Speaking of connection, this family showed such genuine bonds. The sibling photos are some of my favorites, especially with baby brother’s whimsical expressions. It was also really sweet to photograph each child individually with Mom and Dad and to grab a few of just the parents—I love thinking that these photos will always serve as an example of the love this family shared through each stage of their lives. Everyone’s easygoing attitudes made for a smooth and quick session—big siblings helped entertain baby brother, and baby brother’s silliness kept us all smiling and laughing. 

A Fun, Stylish Wardrobe 

Often, when we think of family photos, we imagine that everyone needs to be matching. While there are definitely times when white t-shirts and blue jeans for everyone can be fun, I find that an array of wardrobe pieces helps the photos appear more natural. In these photos, all of the pieces coordinate well without completely matching. For example, the brothers are sporting a similar look with button downs and slacks, but each brother’s ensemble is a little different, whether in pant color, bow-tie design (I love baby brother’s red bow tie for a pop of color!), or accessories like a belt or suspenders. Dad’s crisp white button down is a nice contrast to the blue button downs. Mom and sister are wearing matching dresses that perfectly complement the guys’ wardrobe, but they each mix it up a little bit with their unique boots. Each family member has his or her own distinct style, which not only helps each photo feel more authentic but also lends visual interest to the composition as a whole. 

A Unique Outdoor Setting

When Ashley reached out to me, I thought it was a great idea to shoot this new set of family photos outdoors since the last photo session had been in their home. As a McKinney family photographer, I do my best to scout out the best locations for my sessions. I loved this setting at Erwin Park, Mckinney, with its faded trails, sparse grass, and old trees. It’s an understated background for this vibrant and joyful family. The yellow of the changing leaves gorgeously contrasted with the soft blues in everyone’s wardrobe. While I know the weather in DFW can be unpredictable, I always try to make the most of the weather on the day of your photoshoot. For example, the overcast skies at this session actually offered us some beautiful, soft lighting to capture these tender family moments. 

Hey mama! Thanks so much for stopping by!! I’m Ling, owner of Ling Waters Photography, a McKinney newborn and family photographer specialize in young and growing families in North Dallas. This includes surrounding areas such as Celina, Anna, Allen, McKinney, Prosper, Frisco, Plano, Denton and Little Elm. If you’re looking for a McKinney family or motherhood photographer, I’d love to meet you and your little ones. I am passionate about “freezing” time so that you can one day look back and be brought to that very special moment. These memories are ones I hope you can cherish for days to come.

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