Breeanna reached out from Armstrong Creek wanting photos of her two kids, Max, 8, and Laylah, 5, somewhere relaxed and full of life. We landed on Leach-Wood Gardens, one of a couple of spots I suggested, and it turned out to be exactly right for this family.
Why Leach-Wood Gardens works so well for families
There are plenty of paths to walk, and the light pretty much works well any time of day, which takes a lot of pressure off timing a session around a narrow golden hour window. There are also wooden bridges that photograph beautifully, along with some lovely bluestone features scattered through the gardens. For families wanting a fun, relaxed feel rather than something stiff or formal, it’s one of my go-to recommendations.
Parking is easy, plenty of space right near the entrance, but worth knowing there’s a reasonably steep hill to get up to the top of the gardens where most sessions start. Fine for most families, just something to factor in if you’ve got a pram, older relatives joining, or little legs that tire quickly.
Max and Laylah
Breeanna described her two as shy to start but quick to warm up, loving and giggly once they’re comfortable. That’s exactly how the session unfolded, a bit of settling in at first, then genuine laughter and play once Max and Laylah relaxed into it.
One of the nicer parts of the day was Max having his own ideas about photos he wanted, specific poses and moments he’d pictured beforehand. We made sure to get every one of them. It’s something I’d genuinely encourage with kids this age, ask them what photo they want, and let them have a say in their own session. Kids often come up with better, more genuine ideas than any shot list I could write myself, and they’re usually a lot more engaged in front of the camera when it’s partly their idea in the first place.
Breeanna wanted a mix of candid and posed shots, siblings together, and some solo photos of herself with the kids too. It’s a common and completely normal request for family sessions, capturing both the together shots and the one-on-one moments that matter just as much. We made sure to get exactly that: Max and Laylah together, and Breeanna with each of them.
Thinking about a family session of your own? Sessions start from $350, with your gallery delivered within 10 days. No sales appointment, no surprise costs, just your photos.
