There’s something pretty special about photographing families outdoors in Canmore. You have the mountains, the river, the trees, and all of that beautiful Alberta scenery, but the best photographs are often the ones that have very little to do with posing.
This mini family session took place at Canmore’s Engine Bridge, one of my favourite spots for family photography in the Bow Valley. If the location looks familiar, you may recognize it from The Last of Us, which filmed throughout Alberta.
For this session, we kept things relaxed and followed the kids' lead. One of the little guys needed a bit of time to warm up to the experience, so we brought out some monster trucks and blankets and let him settle in at his own pace. Rather than trying to force smiles or keep everyone perfectly posed, we incorporated the things that made him comfortable.
And honestly, I think that’s what makes family photography so meaningful.
Kids don’t always show up to a photo session ready to sit still and smile on command. Sometimes they want to run around. Sometimes they want to be held. Sometimes they need their favourite blanket or toy nearby. And sometimes they just need a few extra minutes.
That doesn’t mean we can’t get beautiful photographs.
In fact, I think allowing space for those little realities often makes the photographs feel more authentic. A cuddle with Mom, a little interaction with a favourite toy, or the way a child naturally reaches for their parent can tell you much more about a family than a perfectly posed smile ever could.
These are the things that are happening in your life right now, and they are worth remembering.
As a Canmore family photographer and Banff family photographer, my approach is to give families enough direction to feel comfortable while leaving plenty of room for the candid moments to happen. We can take the classic family photographs, but we can also let the kids play, explore, cuddle, and just be themselves.
Because years from now, you may not remember whether everyone smiled perfectly for every photograph. You’ll remember the little person who needed their blanket, the monster trucks they were obsessed with, and the way your family looked together in that particular season of life.
And those are exactly the memories I want to photograph.
If you’re looking for family photography in Canmore or Banff, Engine Bridge is a beautiful option, especially for families who want mountain scenery without needing a heavily posed session. There are so many opportunities to move around, explore, and let the photographs unfold naturally.
