Family Photos at Fort Fisher With a Toddler | The Chamblee Family
Family photos with a toddler rarely go exactly according to plan.
And sometimes, that’s where the magic happens.
The Chamblee family’s session at Fort Fisher is the perfect example of what can happen when you stay flexible, trust the process, and let your little one simply enjoy the experience.
Because this session? It definitely did not start according to plan.
A Last-Minute Change of Plans
We originally had a completely different beach location planned for the Chamblee family’s session. But shortly before we were supposed to meet, storms caused that location to close.
Not exactly the way you want a family photo session to begin!
We quickly pivoted and made our way to Fort Fisher, knowing there were still storms looming offshore. The sky was constantly changing, the wind was blowing, and there was definitely an element of let’s see what Mother Nature gives us.
And the Chamblee family was completely willing to go with it.
They trusted me, stayed flexible, and embraced the change of plans.
That flexibility paid off in the most beautiful way.
Sometimes the Backup Plan Is Even Better: Family Photos at Fort Fisher
Fort Fisher ended up giving us a backdrop that looks a little different from what many people picture when they think of family photos along the North Carolina coast.
The large boulders along the shoreline give the waves something dramatic to crash against, while the curve of the beach in the distance creates beautiful layers of sand, water, rocks, and sky.
Add in the sea grass and dunes, and we had so much variety to work with without ever having to leave the beach.
And those storms sitting offshore?
Instead of ruining the session, they gave us a soft, slightly moody sky that complemented the beach beautifully.
So we used all of it.
The rocks became places to sit and explore. The sea grass framed portraits of their little boy. The shoreline gave us room to walk and play.
And eventually, everyone ended up exactly where you would expect a toddler at the beach to want to be...
In the water.
A relaxed family portrait of parents with their young son surrounded by sea oats, sand, and coastal A wide coastal family portrait showcasing the natural rocks, shoreline, and ocean scenery of a North
The Secret to Great Beach Photos With a Toddler
If you are planning family photos with a toddler, one of the best things you can do is let go of the idea that your child needs to stand still, look at the camera, and smile for every photograph.
Toddlers want to explore.
So let them.
Let them dig their toes into the sand.
Let them find seashells.
Let them walk between you while holding your hands.
Let them investigate the rocks.
Let them run toward the water.
And yes, sometimes you let them get wet.
Those aren't interruptions to your family photo session.
Those are the session.
With the Chamblee family, we absolutely captured those traditional photographs of everyone together and looking toward the camera. I always want to give families those images, too.
But some of my favorite photographs came once we leaned completely into what their little boy wanted to do.
He played in the waves. He explored the beach. He found a tiny seashell and proudly held it out to show me. He ran back toward his parents while they waited for him with open arms.
There were snuggles, laughter, wet feet, windblown hair, and plenty of movement.
Those are the photographs that capture what this season of their family's life actually feels like.
The Secret to Great Beach Photos With a Toddler
If you are planning family photos with a toddler, one of the best things you can do is let go of the idea that your child needs to stand still, look at the camera, and smile for every photograph.
Toddlers want to explore. So let them.
Let them dig their toes into the sand.
Let them find seashells.
Let them walk between you while holding your hands.
Let them investigate the rocks.
Let them run toward the water.
And yes, sometimes you let them get wet.
Those aren't interruptions to your family photo session.
Those are the session.
With the Chamblee family, we absolutely captured those traditional photographs of everyone together and looking toward the camera. I always want to give families those images, too.
But some of my favorite photographs came once we leaned completely into what their little boy wanted to do.
He played in the waves. He explored the beach. He found a tiny seashell and proudly held it out to show me. He ran back toward his parents while they waited for him with open arms.
There were snuggles, laughter, wet feet, windblown hair, and plenty of movement.
Those are the photographs that capture what this season of their family's life actually feels like.
A young boy proudly shows off a tiny seashell he discovered during his family's beach session along A family portrait framed by natural coastal rocks, sand, and ocean during a family photography sessi
Your Toddler Doesn't Need to "Cooperate"
This is something I wish more parents knew before coming into a family session.
Your toddler does not need to "cooperate" for us to create beautiful photographs.
In fact, some of the best things you can do during your session have nothing to do with convincing your child to look at my camera.
Instead, interact with them.
Pick them up.
Hold their hand.
Explore something they've discovered.
Run with them.
Snuggle them when they need a break.
Laugh when something doesn't go according to plan.
And when I see a moment unfolding, trust me enough to let it happen.
I'll give your family direction when we need it, but I also want to leave enough room for those little unscripted moments to unfold naturally.
Because years from now, you may love the photograph of everyone smiling at the camera.
But you might love the photograph of your toddler running toward you with the biggest grin on their face even more.
A playful family moment captured at the water's edge as waves roll onto the shore during a North Car A relaxed portrait of a couple together by the water, capturing their connection during their family A candid family moment in the surf capturing the fun and connection of a laid-back North Carolina be
Trust Your Photographer When Plans Have to Change
A sweet individual portrait of a young boy surrounded by coastal grasses and rocks with the ocean in A tender mother-and-son moment photographed beside the ocean during a relaxed family beach photograp
I know it can feel stressful when you've coordinated outfits, gotten everyone ready, traveled to a location, and then something completely outside of your control changes. Weather changes.
Locations close.
The wind picks up.
Toddlers decide they have absolutely no interest in whatever plan the adults had in mind.
That's why flexibility is such an important part of photographing families. And why trusting your photographer matters.
I'm always paying attention to the light, the weather, the surroundings, and most importantly, your family.
If one plan isn't working, we'll make another one.
Sometimes that means changing locations at the last minute.
Sometimes it means moving farther down the beach.
Sometimes it means abandoning the pose we were about to do because your toddler spotted something much more interesting.
And sometimes it means taking off your shoes, stepping into the ocean, and seeing what happens. The goal isn't to force your family into a predetermined set of photographs. It's to create beautiful images from the family, the personalities, and the environment I'm given.
And the Chamblee family's Fort Fisher gallery is such a wonderful example of why.
Why I Love Fort Fisher for Family Photography
Fort Fisher has quickly become one of those locations I love for family beach photography because there is so much to work with beyond an open stretch of sand.
The rocks, sea grass, shoreline, dunes, and water all give us opportunities to create variety, especially with little ones who would much rather explore than stand in one place.
It can be soft and timeless in one direction and a little more dramatic in another.
And because there is so much for children to experience, it gives us plenty of opportunities to create photographs that feel less like posing for family pictures and more like spending an evening together at the beach.
That's exactly what I want.
Your Family Doesn't Have to Be Perfect for Beautiful Photos
If you're considering family beach photos but worrying that your toddler won't cooperate, please don't let that stop you.
Your little one doesn't need to perform for my camera. Come ready to play. Be willing to move.
Snuggle them when they need you.
Chase them when they want to run.
Laugh when things don't go according to plan.
And if they end the session soaking wet with sand stuck to practically everything?
There's a pretty good chance we made some wonderful photographs along the way.
The Chamblee family's session at Fort Fisher certainly didn't begin the way any of us expected.
Storms changed our original plans. Another location had to be chosen at the last minute. Dark clouds still lingered out over the ocean.
But they trusted me and went with it.
And looking at the photographs we created together, I wouldn't change a thing.
Ready for Your Own Family Beach Session?
Whether we're working with sunshine, clouds, wind, an adventurous toddler (or a little bit of all four) my goal is to create photographs that feel like your family.
I photograph families throughout the Raleigh area and also travel to the North Carolina coast for select beach sessions throughout the year.
If you've been dreaming about updating your family photos at the beach, I'd love to help you plan a session that leaves plenty of room for the beautiful, unpredictable moments in between.
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