Spring and summer outdoor family photo ideas for your next gallery wall

April 30, 2025

With springtime in full swing, it’s the perfect opportunity to embrace the sunshine and take a fresh set of family photos outdoors! Spring and summer are magical seasons to capture your family’s growth — the longer days, vibrant colors, and naturally glowing light make for picture-perfect memories. Taking annual family photos helps you document life’s milestones and subtle changes, especially during your kids’ early years when time seems to fly. These images become treasured keepsakes you’ll love looking back on as your family grows.

If you’re looking for family photoshoot ideas and a local photography service, you’ve come to the right place. Read on to get inspiration for the best types of family portraits to take in the spring and summertime.

Spring family photo ideas

Blooming flowers, lush greenery, and mild weather make the springtime ideal for a relaxed and beautiful family photo session. Whether you’re celebrating a new season or simply want to capture your kids as they grow, here are some ideas to help you get the most out of your spring photos.

Family portrait ideas and locations for spring

Parks and forests. These locations are filled with budding trees, green grass, and natural trails. They offer a calm, woodsy vibe that feels timeless and organic. This is particularly great if your family is an outdoorsy bunch to begin with. If you live near a national park, these can offer jaw-dropping backdrops of beautiful landscapes, plus you can make a family trip out of it!
Flower fields. From budding tulips to wildflowers, flower fields provide bursts of color and charm. Vibrant fields bring a sense of whimsy and are ideal for soft, romantic shots. When taking photos in a flower field, consider wearing muted tones so your outfits don’t clash with the colors of the blooms. Your family photo poses can range from running in the fields to hugging each other surrounded by all the flowers.
Your backyard. Sometimes the best place to take family portraits is right at home! With a little sprucing up, your backyard can be an easy and meaningful setting. It may even be the most convenient and comfortable location for you if you have little ones or want to include your pets!

If you want your spring family photos to feel more candid and lifestyle-inspired, consider setting up a cozy picnic at any of these locations! Bring along your kids’ favorite snacks in a pretty basket, a color coordinated blanket to compliment your outfits, and maybe even bubbles to keep it fun for the kids. And no matter what location you decide on, if you’re in search of a photographer to capture these sweet moments with your family, our friends at Shoott are available in plenty of cities throughout the United States! With Shootts’ service, you can choose your preferred location and date, then after your session, you’ll receive a gallery of lightly edited photos and only pay for the photos you want to keep.

What to wear for spring family photos

Speaking of color coordination, spring fashion is all about light and airy looks. Neutral colors like cream, ivory, and soft beige help keep the focus on your family’s expressions and your colorful surroundings. Light florals bring a gentle pop of pattern, especially for moms or little girls, while earth tones like moss green or soft brown keep the look grounded and natural.

Looking for coordinated color palettes? Try these gorgeous springtime combinations:

Blue and white for a clean, breezy look.
Green and beige for something fresh and earthy.
Orange and yellow for a warm, sun-kissed palette.

One thing we cannot stress enough is to choose your photoshoot location before you choose your color palette. You want to make sure that your outfits don’t clash with your surroundings. For example, if you’re taking photos in a forest and your backdrop is mostly green, then you should avoid wearing green tones so you don’t blend in. Alternatively, if you’re taking photos in your backyard, then fun pops of color might be a great option.

Summer family photo ideas

Summer is the season of sunshine, adventure, and longer days, making it a perfect time of year for family photo sessions that are fun, relaxed, and full of personality. With so many outdoor activities and bright, golden light, your photos are guaranteed to reflect all the joy of this season. Whether you prefer family beach pictures, portraits on the boardwalk, or cute candid shots of your kids enjoying a treat, here are some of our favorite family portrait ideas for the summertime.

Family picture ideas and locations for summer

The beach. Beach family photos might be the most popular option for the summertime, but it definitely isn’t overrated. Whether you're splashing in the water or walking along the shoreline with your family on the beach, smiling along the coastline offers beautiful light and an easygoing vibe. It’s great for barefoot portraits and playful family moments.
Lakes or rivers. Calm water and scenic surroundings make for peaceful, reflective photo settings. Think docks, skipping stones, or sitting on a blanket by the shore. Some lakes even have their own coves and beaches, so the ocean isn’t the only place you can snap family beach photos! If your family celebrates 4th of July, it might even be cute to have red, white, and blue props or outfits by the lake.
Ice cream shops or trucks. For more unique family photo ideas, you can capture your kids' genuine smiles and giggles as they enjoy a sweet treat. It’s a cute and colorful way to create summer memories. It’s worth mentioning that taking photos by an ice cream shop or truck might take a little more logistics, so be sure to consider the location’s hours of operation and also find a time where they’re not as busy so that your photos aren’t filled with other people.
Boardwalks or marinas. These coastal spots can add texture and visually appealing lines with railings, walkways, wide-open views, and maybe even some boats — perfect for a nautical-themed shoot! When taking photos on a boardwalk, some family photo poses can include holding hands while walking down the boardwalk. Try taking a few shots walking towards the camera, then away from the camera and see which looks best.

The great thing about summer? The sun sets later, giving you more flexibility to schedule evening sessions and beautiful beach sunset pictures. To get the best light and avoid the hot summer sun, aim for scheduling your photo shoot in the early morning or late afternoon. We highly suggest taking your photos an hour before sunset so you can catch those stunning golden hour vibes.

What to wear for summer family photos

Summer is the time to have fun with your wardrobe! Go for fun pops of color to match the season’s energy, or lean into a classic all-white-and-jeans combo that looks amazing against a golden sunset. Nautical tones like navy, white, and stripes are perfect for beach or marina settings. And you can also consider flowy attire to incorporate a breezy vibe — think maxi dresses, linen shirts, and loose fabrics — as those types of clothing look great in motion and help keep everyone cool.

Ready to get outside and capture special moments?

Whether it’s a flower-filled spring session or a beachy summer evening, these ideas will help you plan a shoot that’s beautiful, meaningful, and totally frame-worthy. If you’re still in search of a photographer in your city, be sure to check out Shoott, now offering free 30-minute photo sessions all over the country.

Once you’ve got those photos, don’t forget to refresh your walls with a new set of frames! Customize your next set of framed family photos with Frameology today.