Capture the Magic of Your Family's Special Moments Outdoors

Calgary Outdoor Family Photographer | Jillian Faulkner

Looking to capture the magic of your family's special moments in our beautiful city of Calgary?! Look no further! I’m here to provide you with an unforgettable outdoor family photography experience personalized from beginning to end to ensure you are left with family portraits you can cherish for a lifetime. Whether you want to head to a gorgeous park like Baker Park or venture downtown to an urban location like the Calgary Central Library for a more urban feel to your portraits, I know all the perfect locations throughout the city where we can showcase your family's love and connection!

With over 12 years of experience as a professional family photographer, I have an eye for capturing those genuine, candid moments that reflect your family's unique dynamics in addition to creating timeless portraits to last a lifetime. Whether your family is celebrating a milestone, embarking on a family adventure, or simply wanting to freeze time and capture the joy of everyday life, my outdoor family photography sessions are designed to bring out the best in your family and allows me the opportunity to create stunning images from our time together. I invite you to trust in me to capture your memories and create portrait art that will tell your family's story, one frame at a time.

Calgary family photography session held outdoors at Baker Park photographed by top rated family photographer Jillian Faulkner

Selecting the perfect location for your outdoor family photo shoot

When it comes to choosing the perfect location for your outdoor family photography session here in Calgary, there are several factors I like to consider. Firstly, we want to think about the overall theme or style you want to convey in your family photos.

Do you prefer a natural and rustic setting, or would you rather have a more urban and contemporary feel?

We will discuss all of your preferences during your pre-session consultation so that we can select the best location for your family photos.

Another important consideration is the season in which we are going to book your outdoor family photo session. Although we do have four distinct seasons here in Calgary, this beautiful city does have very short spring and fall seasons.

In the spring, the city comes alive with vibrant blossoms and lush greenery but these blossoms are usually not apparent until later into the spring months, usually towards mid to late June. The summer season will bring us longer days, clear blue skies and sunsets close to 10:00pm in the evening. Fall in Calgary is known for its stunning display of colourful foliage but those leaves usually only last on the trees for around 4 weeks, typically from the middle of September until the Thanksgiving long weekend. Winter is then usually upon us with snowfall by late October lasting well into April and although it does offer a magical winter wonderland vibe with snow-covered landscapes, it’s definitely cooler with temperatures below freezing and shorter days with less sunlight.

Depending on the time of year you are looking to have your family photos photographed outdoors, certain locations throughout our city are going to be more suitable for your photoshoot to ensure you have the most pleasant and enjoyable photography experience!

Accessibility and convenience are also important factors to consider.

If you have young children under the age of five or elderly family members that have mobility issues, choosing a location with easy access and amenities nearby is definitely recommended. Additionally, I like to think about the overall atmosphere and ambiance of the location. Does it align with your family's personality and the mood you want to capture in your photos? A location that resonates with your family will result in more authentic and meaningful images for your family.

The importance of lighting with outdoor family photography

Lighting truly does play a crucial role in the outdoor family photography sessions that I offer, as it can greatly enhance the mood and overall aesthetic of your images. Understanding and utilizing different lighting conditions helps me to create stunning and impactful photographs of your family.

Almost all of the family photography sessions I photograph are photographed at what is refereed to as Golden hour!

This is the period of time just before sunset when the sun is low in the sky resulting in beautiful warm, golden light. This soft, diffused light is highly flattering and creates a magical atmosphere in your photos. The warm tones and long shadows add depth and dimension to your images, resulting in a romantic and dreamy feel. It truly is the best time of day when photographing your family outdoors, so sessions are booked no earlier than two hours before sunset.

Midday sunlight can be extremely harsh and create unflattering shadows and highlights. The intense brightness can cause squinting, watery eyes and truly make it difficult to capture the details and expressions of your family. If you must schedule your family photoshoot during midday, I will usually recommend we head indoors or book your family session at my portrait photography studio where we can still capture gorgeous images of your family without the midday harsh sun. Alternatively, there are some outdoor locations that do offer some open spaces where the sunlight is more evenly distributed which can help minimize the harshness of the overhead sun. These sessions would still be booked in the evening but we can adjust the time slightly due to the location itself and the open shade available.

Many families will usually hope for a bright sunny day on their photo session day but to be honest, cloudy days will actually provide a more soft and even light that is more ideal for capturing stunning portraits of your family. The overcast skies help to act as a natural diffuser, eliminating harsh shadows and creating a flattering glow.

candid family portraits photographed at Baker Park by best rated outdoor family photographer in Calgary, Alberta, Jillian Faulkner Photography

Preserving memories through outdoor family photography

Outdoor family photography throughout our beautiful city offers a unique opportunity to capture the magic of your family's special moments against the backdrop of a stunning natural landscapes or in the vibrant downtown core of our city. There are endless possibilities for creating unforgettable family portraits so you haven’t yet booked your family in this year for a family photography session at Jillian Faulkner Photography, get in touch with me below so that we can discuss creating a personalized family photo shoot outdoors designed just for you!