Creating Lasting Memories: The Joy of Candid Family Sessions

Why Candid Family Photography Creates the Most Meaningful Memories | Caywood Family Lake Session

So many photographers micromanage every move and every pose—and honestly, I used to be that way too. If clients are looking to me for guidance, I will absolutely walk them through step by step: where to stand, where to place every limb, every finger. But I wanted to talk about this session because some of my favorite images came from the moments I wasn’t directing at all.

The images you can’t micromanage. The ones you can’t recreate exactly. They just happen.

In these first few photos, I’m directing mom and her daughter over here. While I’m focused on them, dad and son (completely on their own) start skipping rocks. And it’s in those moments, when I’m not directing, that they naturally do what they enjoy. That’s when the joy shows up. My job is noticing what’s happening around me and capturing it when families lean into being themselves.

In the next image, they’re literally in the same position, throwing at the same time. It’s such a simple moment, but it says so much. Our kids are always watching us, learning from us, mimicking us. Son was copying dad to a T. I may not have caught the very first rock they threw because I was photographing mom and sister, but I turned around, grabbed the shot, and then had them do it again to reframe it. Sometimes moments can be repeated. Sometimes they don’t need to be. Either way, the magic is real.

Then there’s this moment. Mom and dad wanted a couple photos together, and with a little one near the water, I asked big brother if he could watch his sister for just a minute. He did such a great job holding her hand, being the best big brother. Of course, sister was pushing her limits. She wanted to swim so badly. I turned around and caught that moment.

A little later, she walked back into the water, slipped, and fell. Normally, if someone is falling or I’m startled, I stop shooting and jump in to help, but for some reason my finger was still on the shutter. I caught it. The photo isn’t perfect… until you look a little further down. I cropped it, and suddenly—boom. Magic! I didn’t tell her to sit down and splash the water. That’s just how it happened.

I wanted to share this for any families who might be nervous about upcoming photos—especially if you’re worried your kids need to smile perfectly at the camera the entire time. I’m here to tell you: the beauty is in the imperfect. The messy moments. The splashing, the movement, the moments you aren’t watching.

Those are the true memory shots, in my opinion.

Yes, I will absolutely get you those smiling-at-the-camera photos. But expecting that for every single image is exhausting—and honestly, it’s usually why dads don’t love photoshoots.

Let them have fun. Loosen up a little. I promise you’ll adore the photos in the end.