When most people start thinking about family photos, they immediately think about a location.
A beach. A park. Maybe a rainforest.
But what if the best family photos weren’t about a beautiful location, but more about a location that feels like you?
One of the things I love most about activity sessions is that they encourage families to think differently about what a family photo session can be. Instead of asking “Where should we have our photos taken?” I often ask, “What does your family love doing together?”
Because those answers are usually where the magic happens.
Your Family Photos Don’t Need to Look Like Everyone Else’s
The best activity for family photos is rarely the one that looks the most impressive.
It’s the one that feels the most like you.
The photos your children will treasure one day aren’t necessarily the ones where everyone is perfectly posed and smiling at the camera. They’re the ones that remind them of what life felt like.
The Sunday night traditions.
The favourite playground.
The dog that followed them everywhere.
The way they spent their afternoons.
Those are the moments worth remembering.
Activities Families Have Already Chosen
Over the years I’ve photographed families doing all sorts of things together.
One family spent their session making homemade pizzas together on a Sunday evening. The kitchen ended up covered in flour, the kids proudly showed off their creations, and the photos felt exactly like their family.
Another family scooted to their local park with Mum, Dad and their dog. We photographed the journey as much as the destination, and it captured such a genuine snapshot of that stage of life.
I’ve photographed children running into the ocean and splashing their parents at the beach, families swimming together in their backyard pool, kids swinging from a rope swing in their garden, and siblings curled up on the couch reading books together.
One family spent their entire session playing board games at home. Another went out for ice cream together.
I’ve even photographed families at the fair, surrounded by lights, laughter and sticky fingers.
Every single session looked completely different.
And that’s exactly the point.
There Are No Rules
If you’re planning a family photo session and struggling to think of ideas, start by asking yourself:
“What would we be doing together if I wasn’t coming?”
Maybe your family would:
- Ride bikes together
- Go fishing from the Palm Cove jetty
- Spend the afternoon at the library
- Explore a local creek
- Play basketball at the local courts
- Walk the dog along the beach
- Build sandcastles
- Have a picnic
- Play backyard cricket
- Bake together
- Play with Lego
- Visit your favourite playground
The possibilities are almost endless.
The activity itself doesn’t need to be exciting or unique.
It just needs to mean something to your family.
The Best Photos Happen When You’re Busy Living
One of the biggest benefits of activity sessions is that they take the pressure off.
Children don’t need to sit still.
Parents don’t need to constantly ask for smiles.
Nobody needs to worry about whether they’re doing it “right.”
Instead, you get to spend time together while I quietly document what unfolds.
The laughter that happens naturally.
The cuddles between activities.
The little moments you don’t even realise are happening.
Those are often the photographs families love most.
So What Is the Best Activity for Family Photos in Cairns?
The answer is simple.
Whatever your family genuinely enjoys doing together.
Whether that’s making pizzas at home, riding scooters to the park, reading books on the couch, splashing in the ocean or fishing off a jetty, the best activity is the one that tells your family’s story.
Because years from now, your children won’t care whether you chose the most beautiful location.
They’ll care that the photos remind them of what life felt like when they were little.
To find out more about my fun family photo sessions, you can click here.
Don’t forget to follow along on instagram for more fun ideas!
