Jun 13 2026 | By: Animal House Photography
Let's talk about backyard summer sessions and why they are the perfect way to capture your kids' childhood - and help you savor it in the process.
Summer isn't typically a time when people naturally want to take family photos, especially outside and especially in the south. It's hot, the weather is unpredictable, and schedules are all over the place. From the perspective of an adult, it seems like a time to hunker down like an alligator in the pool, only our eyes poking out, until school starts again.
But summer is full of promise and magic for kids, and it can be for us too.
Finding a way to enjoy your summer can be overwhelming, but as a seasoned mama I'm here to tell you it's simpler than it seems. You can make the most of your summer with three quick tips - and you can capture the essence of the experience in a summer backyard session.
In the summer, we are gifted with time. We get all the in-between moments they usually spend at school and, as any parent knows, time is the ultimate treasure.
So when your sweet little ones run up and ask you to play, try saying yes as much as you can. Take breaks, make sure you are enjoying personal time, and then say yes as often as you possibly can.
When we set aside intentional time for a photo session, it honors these moments. These sessions remind us that playtime is an invitation to know our kids and watch them grow. A backyard summer session captures that process.
Summer frees our children's minds up to explore new methods of play. During the school year, their brains are occupied with school and everything that comes with it - as they should be.
Summer offers something different, a time to follow their interests with no impediments. For younger kids, this usually comes out through play.
Our job is to pay attention.
What toys are they choosing? What questions are they asking? What activities are they asking for? Follow those interests and let them explore.
As you look back on these precious days, what a joy it will be to see their interests evolve over time. Backyard sessions make sure you remember what your little ones were learning in this specific season.
Tell them about what you did as a child. Recreate those activities with them. Maybe you made daisy chains or braided little grass houses. Maybe you spent days at the pool or explored the woods and pretended to be fairies.
Whatever it was, offer those memories to your child and see what happens. Maybe it won't be for them, but maybe the experience will be magical. At the very least, you will give them a chance to know you in a new way.
These connections are what makes being a parent so special, and they will be what your kids look back on and treasure.
If you're looking for more ideas, Huntsville is full of fun indoor and outdoor activities for kids of all ages and families of all sizes.
You can read more here: Best Kid-Friendly Summer Activities in Huntsville, AL (2026 Guide)
I'm a photographer and mama of three, and I know how valuable these photos are to parents. So this summer, I am offering a special series of sessions for Huntsville/Madison families.
Backyard Summer Sessions are short, playful, and casual, and they result in absolutely precious photos.
You can click here or follow the button below for more information!
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