A PLAYFUL FAMILY SESSION AT WOODLANDS ESTATE, GORDONTON
Some family sessions are all about calm. This one was all about movement, play, and letting a little boy be exactly who he is.
Nasim and Ali brought their son Adrian along to Woodlands Estate in Gordonton, and Ali’s parents came too. We spent most of our time in the back wooded paddock because it gave us the best mix of soft light, space to run around, and a relaxed vibe where kids can forget about the camera.
The reference photos made the whole session easier
Before the shoot, Nasim sent me reference photos of families being natural. Smiling, laughing, interacting, not “standing still and performing.”
That sounds simple, but it matters because it tells me what the family actually wants to feel when they look back at these photos.
Instead of showing up and hoping the session “becomes natural,” I can plan for it.
So I built the session around three things:
- Prompts instead of poses
- Games instead of instructions
- A location that supports real connection
This is the difference between photos that look nice and photos that feel like them.
Why the wooded paddock was the perfect spot
Woodlands Estate has a lot of options, but the back wooded paddock was the winner for this family.
Here’s why:
- The light was softer and more flattering, especially as it filtered through the trees.
- It felt private and comfortable, which helps adults relax and kids loosen up.
- There was room to play without constantly stopping for people or distractions.
When families feel comfortable, you don’t have to force expressions. You just create the conditions and let the moments happen.
Getting real smiles from Adrian without forcing it
Adrian is young, which means attention spans are short and “stand here and smile” lasts about one second.
So we played.
We kept things simple and fast:
- Little challenges and silly games
- Movement prompts like walking, running, swinging, cuddling, and “squeeze attacks”
- Quick resets so he never felt stuck doing one thing too long
The goal is not to control every detail. The goal is to set up moments where natural expressions show up on their own.
That’s when you get the good stuff.
Including grandparents without making it stiff
Having Ali’s parents there made this session richer. Multi generation photos matter more as time passes, and most families don’t get them often enough.
The trick is keeping the energy natural, not turning it into a formal lineup.
So we mixed it in:
- A simple group portrait while everyone was fresh
- Then smaller combinations, one at a time, so it stayed relaxed
- Then back to play so Adrian stayed happy
That balance usually gives you both: the “everyone together” photo, and the photos that feel like real life.
A quick note for parents thinking about booking
If you’re worried your kids won’t sit still, that’s normal. Most don’t.
You don’t need perfectly behaved kids. You need a session built around how kids actually are, with a plan that prioritises comfort, movement, and connection.
And if you have reference photos you love, send them. They help more than most people realise.
If you’d like your own family session at Woodlands Estate (or somewhere similar around Hamilton), send me a message and I’ll help you plan a shoot that feels relaxed and ends with photos you actually want to print and keep. Lets get that big print on your wall!
