Spoiler: It’s relaxed, beautiful, and surprisingly easy.
If you’re dreaming of natural family photos with your kids but worrying about logistics (or just feeling awkward in front of the camera), let me tell you about this sunset session at Woolleys Bay.
We had four kids in tow — from a curious 9-month-old to a fun-loving 14-year-old — and it couldn’t have been more perfect. Woolleys is a gem of a spot for families: there’s a carpark right by the beach (yes, with toilets!) so there’s no long walk for little legs or nappy bags. And once you’re on the sand, it feels like magic.
We started in the dunes, where Mum had a quiet moment breastfeeding her youngest while the older kids played nearby. There’s something so gentle and timeless about those golden grasses — perfect for snuggly family shots too.
Then Mum and her daughter had lots of fun twirling in the gorgeous tulle skirts they had bought especially for this year’s session in that beautiful backlit glow that only a Northland sunset can give.
From there, we wandered to the water’s edge for some walking along the beach, some digging in the sand and a bit of splashing around.
And we finished with the most stunning silhouette of the whole family together — one of those images where the sunset and us walking back to the carpark along the dunes, happened at exactly the right time to give us this beautiful photo.
Before the session, Mum and Dad told me they usually feel really awkward in photos. Afterwards, they said it felt more like a relaxed evening at the beach with an old friend. That’s exactly how I want every family to feel.
If you’d love to create something like this with your crew — no pressure, no posing, just real moments in a beautiful spot — I’d love to keep you in the loop.
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