Lifestyle Family | Glenn Ellyn Family Photographer

Breanna Marie
6 hours ago
3 min read

A Laid-Back Backyard Family Session in Glen Ellyn

Some of the most meaningful family photos don’t require an elaborate location or a perfectly planned activity. Sometimes, the best setting is simply the place where your family already feels most at home.

This laid-back backyard family session in Glen Ellyn was filled with bubbles, sidewalk chalk, movement, and plenty of playful moments. Instead of asking the children to sit still and smile at the camera, we let them explore, create, and enjoy time with their parents. The result was a gallery that felt relaxed, joyful, and completely true to this season of their family’s life.

Letting Kids Be Kids

Children rarely need elaborate entertainment to create meaningful photographs. A container of bubbles and a few pieces of chalk gave us everything we needed.

The kids chased bubbles across the yard, drew colorful pictures on the pavement, snuggled with their parents, and moved freely between activities. These simple prompts helped everyone relax while creating opportunities for genuine smiles, little details, and natural connection.

There was no pressure to perform or behave perfectly. The session was allowed to unfold at the children’s pace—which is often when the most honest moments happen.

Why Choose a Backyard Family Session?

Your backyard may not feel like a “special” photography location because you see it every day, but that is exactly what can make it so meaningful. It holds the ordinary parts of your family’s story: summer evenings, outdoor play, scraped knees, bubbles floating through the air, and chalk drawings that eventually wash away.

An at-home family photography session also means:

Your children are in a familiar environment.
There is no rushing everyone out the door.
Favorite toys and activities are close by.
Breaks, snacks, and outfit changes are easy.
Your photos document a space connected to your family’s real memories.

Backyard sessions are especially wonderful for young children, shy personalities, or families who want their photos to feel more like a memory than a formal portrait session.

Family Photos Don’t Have to Feel Formal

My approach to family photography is relaxed, playful, and connection-focused. I’ll still guide you into flattering light and make sure we capture a few photographs of everyone together, but most of the session is built around movement and interaction.

You might cuddle on a blanket, play a familiar game, dance together, chase bubbles, draw with chalk, or simply let your children lead for a few minutes. I use gentle prompts to create opportunities for connection without forcing moments that don’t feel natural.

The goal isn’t to make your family look perfect. It’s to document the way you love one another right now.

Simple Activities Create Meaningful Photos

Bubbles and sidewalk chalk photographed beautifully, but the activity itself doesn’t need to be complicated. The best ideas are usually things your family already enjoys together.

For an at-home lifestyle family session, you could:

Run through a sprinkler.
Play with bubbles or sidewalk chalk.
Bake something together.
Have a backyard picnic.
Pick flowers or work in the garden.
Play catch or kick a soccer ball.
Read books on the porch.
Make pancakes in the kitchen.
Snuggle together in your favorite room.

These activities give children something familiar to focus on while allowing me to document the expressions, relationships, and little in-between moments that make your family unique.

What to Wear for a Backyard Family Session

Clothing should feel comfortable and coordinate with the relaxed setting. Soft neutrals, warm earth tones, muted colors, and subtle textures photograph beautifully outdoors.

Rather than having everyone match, choose a small color palette and mix complementary shades. Avoid large logos, bright neon colors, and overly formal pieces that may feel disconnected from the casual atmosphere.

Most importantly, choose clothing that allows everyone—especially the children—to move, sit, play, and cuddle comfortably.

Planning Your Glen Ellyn Family Photography Session

A backyard session is a wonderful option if you love candid, storytelling images or simply want to document your family at home. You do not need a perfectly landscaped yard or magazine-ready house. Good light, genuine connection, and a willingness to play are far more important than perfection.

As a Chicago suburbs family photographer and a mom of three boys, I understand that children are unpredictable—and I don’t expect them to behave like tiny adults. Sessions are intentionally child-led, flexible, and designed to leave room for real personalities.

If you’re looking for a Glen Ellyn family photographer who will capture the playful, imperfect, and meaningful parts of your family, I would love to help you plan a session that feels like you.

Ready to document your family at home? Contact Bree Marie Photography to begin planning your Glen Ellyn backyard family session.