Love in Every Detail: Summer Park Session
Four kids, two parents, one golden evening, and zero interest in sitting still. That’s exactly how a summer park session should go. This family met us at Indian Springs Metropark in Clarkston, Michigan, and from the first five minutes we knew the gallery was going to be full of real, unscripted moments.
Let the Kids Lead
We always tell families the same thing: don’t worry about keeping the kids “under control.” The wild sprints, the spontaneous tackles, the giggle fits that come out of nowhere? Those are the frames we’re after. A park gives kids room to move, and that freedom shows up in every image.
Between the chaos, there were quiet moments too. Mom and Dad stole a few seconds to themselves while the kids ran circles around us. We pulled in close for those, because the tenderness between two parents in the middle of raising four humans is something worth holding onto.
The light that evening was ridiculous. Late July in Michigan means long golden hours, and we shot almost entirely backlit. That warm glow wrapping around everyone gave the whole session a softness we couldn’t have manufactured in a studio. If you’re considering family photography in the Clarkston area, this time of year is hard to beat.
Travel sessions like this one remind us why we love what we do. Different state, different park, completely different family energy, but the same goal: photographs that feel like your actual life. Not posed. Not stiff. Just you.
When is the best time of year for a park family session in Clarkston?
Late June through early August gives you the longest golden hour and the most lush greenery. We recommend scheduling about an hour before sunset for the warmest, most flattering light.
Does Twig & Olive travel to Michigan for family sessions?
We do. We travel for sessions across the country and love working in new locations. Reach out and tell us where you are, and we’ll make it work.
