Planning Your Family Photography Session
The Complete Guide for (Busy) Toronto Parents
Planning a family photo session in Toronto can feel overwhelming. It’s one of those things parents want to do but often push down the to-do list because it feels like too much to organize. But it doesn’t have to be. Whether you’re wondering what to wear, how to choose the best location, or how to get the kids on board, this guide is here to help.
Fist off – Hi There! I’m Matt Trimble, a Toronto family photographer specializing in timeless, heartfelt family portraits that bring your home to life. I know how much it matters to capture your family’s unique story in an authentic way.
This 5-Part Planning Series will walk you through everything you need to know to plan a beautiful, stress-free family photo session you’ll treasure for years. Each section gives you a quick overview plus a link to a deeper dive if you would like more guidance, ideas or inspiration.
💡 Short on time?
PS — If you’re a busy parent and just want a quick, practical cheat sheet to save time. Grab the Busy Parent’s Guide to Stress-Free Family photos here:
Jump straight to what you need
Picking the Best Family Photographer in Toronto
Choosing the right photographer is one of the most important steps in planning your family photo session. It’s not just about finding someone with a nice camera—it’s about choosing someone who truly understands your family and whose style feels right for you.
As a Toronto parent, you have lots of talented photographers to choose from.
To help narrow it down and find the perfect fit, here are five questions I always encourage families to ask themselves:
What style feels like us?
Do you love bright, airy photos, rich golden-hour warmth, or candid storytelling moments? Maybe you prefer perfectly posed, studio-lit shots, or a documentary style that captures a day in your family’s life? Make sure your photographer’s portfolio actually feels like you—these images will become part of your family’s story for years to come.
Where will our photos live in our home?
Think ahead about where you’ll want to display your family photos—maybe a canvas wall cluster over the couch, modern framed prints for your office, an heirloom album, or gifts for grandparents. Your display goals can help guide your choice of photographer and ensure their style suits the way you want to enjoy these memories.
Do they have experience with families like mine?
Look for someone who knows how to keep kids comfortable and parents relaxed, so the experience is genuinely fun for everyone. Ask about their approach with babies, toddlers, or older kids if that’s important for your family.
Do they know our favourite Toronto spots?
Local knowledge matters! A Toronto family photographer who knows the best parks, urban corners, and hidden gems can help you choose meaningful, beautiful backdrops that truly reflect your family’s story.
👉 Read my full article on finding the best family photographer in Toronto to dive deeper into these questions and feel completely confident in your choice.
Choosing the Perfect Location for Your Toronto Family Photos
We’re so lucky here in Toronto. We have parks and green spaces that feel miles from the city, beaches that rival the sunshine states, urban corners with amazing character, and hidden ravines that seem like secret forest escapes—all surprisingly close by. It means there’s truly a perfect spot for every family, no matter your vibe or season.
As someone who was born and raised here, I’ve been exploring these places since I was a kid—and I love helping families choose locations that really suit them. I know all the tucked-away gems, the big iconic backdrops, and the little local spots that make photos feel personal and meaningful.
Here are a few things to think about when panning your family photography session and picking the perfect spot:
What vibe feels right for our family?
Do you want urban and modern? Cozy at-home lifestyle photos? Or something natural and timeless in a park? Your location should feel authentic to you so your photos reflect who you really are together.
How's the light?
Soft, natural light is key to beautiful photos. The time of day, season, and even weather can change how your location looks. Don’t worry about figuring it all out alone—ask your photographer! They should be able to guide you on the best time for beautiful, flattering light and let you know exactly what to expect before you head out.
👉 Learn why golden hour is my favorite time for family photos.
Is it easy to get to and comfortable to get around?
Consider how accessible the location is for your family. Is it stroller-friendly? Easy for little kids to explore?A relaxed, familiar spot helps everyone feel more at ease—especially if you’re including grandparents or other family members who need a little extra comfort.
👉 Read my tips for including grandparents in your family photos.
Does it have meaning for us?
👉 Explore my favourite Toronto family photo locations for inspiration and ideas on finding the perfect backdrop for your session.
What to Wear for Family Photos
Comfort First—Wear What Feels Like You
The best family photos happen when everyone feels good in what they’re wearing. Choose clothes that feel like you, that you’d actually wear, and that let you move, play, and be yourselves.
This is especially true for kids—they should be able to run, play, and feel comfortable. Real smiles come naturally when no one’s fussing with stiff collars or itchy tags.
TIP: bring an extra outfit just in case!
Coordinate Ourfits—Don’t Match (This Isn’t the 80s!)
Fit the Vibe of the Location and Season
Neutrals are always popular because they work almost anywhere—but adding color, texture, and layers helps your photos feel personal and interesting.
Think about matching your outfits to the location and season:
Beach sessions: Light, airy linens, rolled sleeves, bare feet.
Fall in the maples: Cozy knits, scarves, rich earth tones.
Urban settings: Slightly dressier or more modern—structured coats, sleek layers, stylish boots.
At home: Casual, comfortable clothes you truly live in, with colors that suit your home’s vibe.
Choose clothes your kids love to wear and play in, but that still look sharp and photograph well. The goal is to let everyone’s personality shine while still feeling cohesive as a family.
Think Long-Term: Family Photos You’ll Love in 20 Years
A few Quick "Watch Outs"
A couple of things I always suggest avoiding:
- Transition lenses or sunglasses that hide eyes.
- Big logos or distracting graphics.
- Crazy busy patterns that pull focus from faces.
- Uncomfortable shoes that make walking awkward.
👉Dive deeper into what to wear for family photos in my outfit guide.
Getting Kids Ready the Photo Session
because happy kids = real smiles and less stress
I know from chatting with parents all over Toronto that one of their biggest worries, no matter what the age, is how the kids will behave during the family photo shoot.
“What if they won’t smile?”
“What if they have a meltdown half way through?”
The good news? Kids don’t need to behave perfectly to get amazing family photos. The truth is that some of the most heartfelt, authentic photos come from these messy, unscripted moments when we let kids be themselves.
Here are a few tips to help your kids feel ready, comfortable and ready to have fun on photo day.
Set the vibe early
Let your kids know that you’re planning a family photoshoot and what to expect ahead of time and keep it positive. Instead of telling them “You need to behave” try something like “We’re going to hang, play some games, dance, and take a few photos together – It’ll be fun!” Framing it as a relaxed family adventure takes the pressure off everyone and minimizes pushback.
Bring snacks, water & comfort items
A small snack, a water bottle, and even a favourite stuffed animal can go a long way. Full bellies and familiar comforts = happy kids. And yes, stuffies are welcome in the photos too.
One more secret weapon? A blanket. It’s not just cozy—it doubles as a portable picnic spot, playmat, and emergency warmth. Here’s why I always recommend bringing a blanket on your family shoot.
Don't stress if they're wiggly (really!)
To capture great family photos, we don’t need the kids to still and smile on command. If they’re playing, twirling, or being silly that’s gold. I will guide you with natural prompts and games to keep things flowing and fun, letting even the most energetic kids shine.
The real secret (and my #1 tip for looking great?) Stay Engaged. Being in the moment, laughing, playing and having fun, that energy becomes contagious and the camera picks it up every time.
Psst… worried about feeling awkward yourself? I’ve got you Here are 6 tips to help parents look good and feel confident in family photos.
Timing Is Everything (Especially With Kids!)
Golden hour – The time just before sunset (or after sunset) gives that soft, dreamy light you see in many of my photos. In my opinion it’s worth a light adjustment to naps or dinner times or a later night if your kids can handle it.
But every family is different, and flexibility matters. If your little one is best in the morning we can chat about earlier options. If midday is your only window, we’ll pick a shaded, low distraction location to keep everyone comfortable and happy.
Leto go of "perfect"
Stay present, playful and connected and the magic will happen – whether or not everything is going exactly to plan. We set the stage with out planning, I’ll take care of the technical stuff so you can focus on enjoying time with your family.
👉 Want even more ideas to make it a fun experience? Check out this post on how to make family photos fun for kids →
Displaying Your Family Photos
your memories deserve more than a folder on your phone
It might seem a bit early to think about what you’ll do with your photos when you are still in the first stages of planning your family photography session but trust me, it matters.
When you know what you want to do with your images—hang them on your walls, flip through them in an album, or give them as a gift—it helps shape the session in a way that’s intentional and personal. No guessing after the fact. No “I wish we had a photo of…” moment.
We actually start with a little exercise to help visualize this during our first call. We can find out your what you’ll love, what spaces you have in mind and how best to capture these images to tell this chapter of your family’s story in a lasting way.
Think beyond that USB drive or digital gallery
Digital files are great to have, that’s what most of use are used to, but they’re just the starting point!
Here’s the thing: after all the effort you’ve put into planning your family photography session, wouldn’t it be a shame if those memories never made it off the hard drive?
But unfortunately families tell me all the time that they meant to print their photos… but never did. Life got busy, and now those beautiful images are buried in a folder somewhere. It’s so heartbreaking.
That’s why I encourage Toronto families to turn their images into something real—wall art, albums, and keepsakes that you actually enjoy every day.
Because your memories shouldn’t feel like unfinished business.
In a world filled with overwhelming amounts of digital and AI images, here’s why families are moving away from digital-only sessions.
Wall art makes your house a home
Want to know something cool? Seeing your family, every day in your home, in photos that actually look amazing? It’s a bit emotional, a little grounding, and a lot of fun.
Whether its a warm hug frozen in time or a goofy moment that always makes you laugh, walking past those images every days hits different than scrolling by them on your phone. Also, you friends and family will comment on your photos, and yes, it does feel soo good.
Family Photo Albums: the overlooked time capsules
Family albums don’t get nearly enough love in this age of digital everything, but they’re low-key awesome. They are the absolutely perfect way to hold a chapter of your family’s life right in your hands. You can feel the pages, relive the memories and feelings, and pass down the story as heirlooms your kids actually want to keep.
They’re not just for weddings, and they’re most certainly not old fashioned.
Learn more about how albums help tell your family’s story.
🖼️ Why print still matters (and even more so in a digital, AI filled world)
There’s a reason families are rediscovering the magic of print.
These days, you can scan your faces, type a prompt, and AI gives you the “perfect” family photo.
No need to wrangle the kids or get out of your pajamas. Just flawless skies, perfect smiles, and scenery to match anywhere in the world.
But… it has no soul. No story. No meaning.
Is that really family photography?
Your family is real.
The chaos, the expressions.
The wild hair, the muddy shoes, the way your child wraps their arms around your neck like they never want to let go.
That’s the good stuff. The irreplaceable stuff.
And that’s what print preserves.
Printed photos don’t just show what your family looked like.
They remind you what it felt like to be there.
They’re anchor that pulls you back into your memories and allows to to relive a real feeling, a real moment.
📚 Albums become time capsules.
🖼️ Wall art becomes part of your everyday life.
A single photo on your nightstand becomes a quiet reminder of what really matters.
We talk a lot about “memory keeping.”
But if those memories stay buried in a folder on the cloud… are they really being kept or enjoyed
Because families deserve more than pixels.
They deserve something that’s real and something that lasts.
So do yourself a favor and print those photos.
👉 Want to go deeper? Learn more about the importance of printing your family photos.
Start with the end in mind
(Why I work backwards - unlike most family photographers)
You don’t need to have it all figured out. But giving yourself a little space to think about how you’d love to enjoy your photos later? That changes everything.
Maybe it’s a wall cluster you walk past every day.
Maybe it’s an album your kids will flip through years from now.
Maybe you’re not sure yet…and that’s okay too.
I can help! That’s why, on our first call together, we walk through a simple visualization exercise. No pressure. Just a conversation to explore what matters most to your family, so we can shoot with intention from the very start.
Because when we plan for what you love most, we’re not winging it.
We’re creating something meaningful, together.
Let Me Help You Plan Your Family Session
Because you don’t have to figure it all out alone.
You’ve got enough on your plate. So let me take the guesswork out of planning a family photo session. Whether you’re ready to book or just want to talk things through, I’m here to help every step of the way.
👇 Fill out the quick form below, and I’ll be in touch to answer questions, walk you through the next steps, and start building something beautiful together.