Calgary Family Photos 101: How Often, When, and Where

April 20, 2025

I’ve had the joy of photographing thousands of Calgary families, and let me tell you, it’s been a blast! To share in that joy, I’ve whipped up a ten-year plan for capturing those family moments with some fun location and season suggestions. You’ll be left with a collection of photos that you’ll want to show off to everyone.

I get asked all the time, “How often should we snap family photos?” And my answer is the same every time: “As often as you can!” Of course, that’s subjective—what “often” means can vary widely from person to person. But for a lot of my clients, hitting that sweet spot of one to two sessions a year keeps things fresh.

I might be a little biased here, but can you ever really have too many pictures of your kids? Childhood disappears faster than you can say “cheesy grin,” so grab those camera moments each chance you get.

And don’t forget to print those gorgeous shots! Decorate your walls, desks, and mantels, or create albums to treasure later. My own house is practically a gallery of my family’s best moments, and I absolutely love reliving those memories every day.

If you’re ready to create a stunning collection of family photos, stick around! Let’s dive into the fun stuff.

Calgary Country Home Family Photographer

Sample 10-Year Plan for Family Photos

To kick things off, I’ve designed a sample ten-year plan that includes a mix of locations and seasons, giving you a remarkable collection of Calgary family photos that will be worth their weight in gold. You can take this plan as it is or make it your own—either way, trust me, having a photo plan is totally worth it! I’ve yet to meet anyone who regretted having too many lovely family photos.

Maternity: This incredible chapter of your life deserves to be captured! I’ve got several packages up for grabs, with both studio and outdoor options. Check out my maternity portfolio for some amazing examples!
Newborn: You definitely don’t want to skip this once-in-a-lifetime moment. I offer a bunch of options for newborn sessions. Peruse my newborn portfolio for inspiration!
1-Year: Time for a studio cake smash session to celebrate this big milestone! (Of course, an outdoor family session sounds delightful too, especially when the weather is warm.)
18-Month: Let’s have your first “official” family session! The location will depend on the season, but I’ve got plenty of easy-peasy options to suit all weather. And yes, my studio family sessions in winter are pretty cozy too!
2nd Year: Choose a fun, play-filled location to keep that little one entertained. I’m all about creek beach scenes at this age—think summer or early fall for the win!
3rd Year: A family session at a sunflower field is perfect for this age. Trust me, cuteness overload!
4th Year: Traveling gets a lot easier by this age, so let’s pick a stunning spot by the lake or in the mountains, like Wedge Pond of Lake Minniwanka. Gorgeous views incoming!
5th Year: Aim for tall grass fields with views of the Fish Creek Park during summer or early fall is a standout choice.
6th Year: Don’t miss out on a beautifully vibrant Cherry Blossom session in early spring—that’s pure magic!
7th Year: Keep building your collection by photographing your family at a charming Peony Field.
8th Year: A summer family session at Downtown is a good, fun option at this age.
9th Year: Take a longer drive to get some Hoodoo views in Drumheller. I’ve got a couple of family-friendly options – see my family portfolio for ideas.
10th Year: Catch the vibrant colors of fall at Carburn Park or Mckinnon Flats. Plus, older kids love fall foilage and will be engaged.

And there you have it! A photo plan that will guide you through capturing those heartwarming family moments. Can’t wait to see all the smiles!

Customization ideas:

Holidays: Many of my clients make it a family tradition to get the annual holiday Mini sessions photos or my downtown Fall minis.
Mini-Sessions: Life happens, and during some years, it may feel like pulling off a longer photo session is too much of a hassle. In these cases, I suggest substituting any of the sessions from the list above for a shorter and more convenient Outdoor Family Mini-Sessions like my cherry blossom minis or Drumheller minis!

And there you have it! A photo plan that will guide you through capturing those heartwarming family moments. Can’t wait to see all the smiles!