There’s something about summer family sessions that I will never get tired of. Long grass, tiny wildflowers, warm light filtering through the trees and, most importantly, plenty of space for little ones to just be themselves.


This gorgeous family session took place in Wakefield, West Yorkshire, and it was exactly the kind of relaxed summer evening I love to photograph.


Rather than spending the whole shoot trying to get everyone sitting perfectly and looking at the camera, we kept things relaxed. We wandered through the grass, cuddled, played and let their little girl explore — and it gave us the loveliest mix of photographs.


Of course, I’ll always make sure we get those beautiful family portraits where everyone is together (and hopefully looking vaguely in my direction!), but the photographs I’m drawn to most are often the ones that happen in between.


Family photographs that feel like you


One of my favourite things about photographing families is capturing the relationships between you.


The way your little one curls into you when they’re feeling shy. The tiny hand holding onto your dress. Dad leaning in to make them laugh. Being carried when their legs inevitably decide they’ve walked quite far enough.


They’re such ordinary little moments when you’re living them, but they’re also the things that change incredibly quickly.


That’s why my family photography sessions are never about expecting children to stand still, smile on command or behave perfectly for the camera.


They really don’t need to.


Some children want to explore. Some take a little while to warm up to me. Some spend half the session being carried by Mum or Dad. And sometimes we end up lying in the grass having a cuddle.


It all photographs beautifully.


The magic of outdoor family photography


I love photographing families outdoors because it gives children the freedom to move.


Instead of being confined to one spot, they can run through the grass, investigate flowers, have cuddles and take a break whenever they need one. It means I can photograph your family naturally while still gently guiding you when you need it.


And then there’s the light.


For this session in Wakefield, the sunshine filtering through the trees created the most beautiful glow around the family. I love using backlight like this to create those soft, luminous photographs that feel warm and almost nostalgic.


Paired with the pale blues, creams and soft pinks they chose to wear, the whole gallery has such a dreamy summer feel.


You don't need to know how to pose


This is probably one of the things I hear most before a family session: *“We’re really awkward in front of the camera!”*


Please don't worry.


You don't need to arrive knowing what to do with your hands, where to stand or how to make your children cooperate. That's my job.


I'll give you little prompts and guidance throughout the session, but I'll also leave space for things to unfold naturally. Often, a photograph starts with a little direction from me and then becomes something completely different when your child reacts, somebody starts laughing or you naturally reach for one another.


Those are usually the good bits.


Your family, exactly as they are now


I think that’s ultimately why family photography matters so much.


You’re not only photographing what your children look like at this age. You’re preserving the way they fit into your arms. Their little expressions. The way they reach for you. The relationship you have with them *right now*.


Because one day, without you really noticing when it happened, they won't be this little anymore.


And while the perfectly framed family portrait will always deserve a place on the wall, sometimes it's the tiny hand gripping Mum's dress or the slightly windswept cuddle in the grass that ends up meaning the most.


Family Photography in Wakefield, West Yorkshire & Beyond


Although I'm based in East Yorkshire, my family photography sessions aren't limited to my immediate area. This beautiful session took me to Wakefield in West Yorkshire, and I'm always happy to travel for the right location and family.


My outdoor family sessions are relaxed, natural and centred around your family rather than stiff posing. I carefully choose the setting and time of day to make the most of beautiful natural light and give us plenty of space for children to simply be children.


So if you've been thinking about booking family photographs but have been waiting until your children are older, calmer or better at smiling for photographs — please don't!


The chaos is part of it.


If you'd love photographs of your family that feel soft, natural and full of connection, you can find out more about my family photography sessions and get in touch to book.


Tabitha Stark Photography | Natural Family Photographer in Yorkshire

Smiling woman and man in soft sunlight cuddle a laughing toddler in a white dress during an outdoor family portrait session.
Smiling bearded man in a beige jacket holding a little girl in a white dress amid lush green garden foliage and purple flowers.
A smiling couple holds hands with their toddler daughter as they walk together through a sunny green meadow.
Young blonde girl in a white dress sits on a sunlit garden path surrounded by lush green plants and leaves.
Young girl in a white dress walks along a stone garden path while a man and woman stand together among lush green plants behind her.
A smiling woman in a light blue dress and a man in a beige shirt hold a toddler in a sunny green meadow.
Black and white photo of a little girl in a white lace-collared dress sitting among sunlit garden plants and looking down.
Smiling toddler girl with blonde hair and blue eyes in a white dress, held by her parents in warm golden sunlight outdoors.
Smiling woman in a light blue top holds a blonde toddler in a pink floral dress outdoors, with green foliage and a stone wall behind them.
Little girl with a loose blonde braid in a white lace-trimmed dress stands facing a sunlit garden of blue flowers beside two adults.
Toddler in a white lace dress holding a yellow buttercup flower while standing in a sunlit green meadow.
Smiling woman in a light blue top and bearded man in a tan shirt hold a blonde toddler in white outdoors in warm golden sunlight.
Mother in a light blue top lying in tall green grass, gently cradling her sleeping blonde toddler in a soft, sunlit outdoor portrait.
Smiling couple holding their toddler daughter in a sunny green meadow with wildflowers and trees, a warm outdoor family portrait.
Parents in a sunny green meadow kiss the cheeks of their smiling toddler in a white outfit during a warm family portrait session.
Young blonde girl with bangs and blue eyes in a white lace-collar blouse sits in a sunny green meadow, an adult's hand resting on her.
Smiling woman in a light blue dress holds a young girl in a white dress standing on a wooden gate in a green countryside setting.
A woman in a light blue dress lifts a toddler in a white dress to see over a wooden farm gate while pointing across a sunny green meadow.
Young blonde girl with bangs in a white lace dress looks down while walking through a sunlit grassy meadow.
Couple in a light blue dress and beige jacket share a kiss on a stone path surrounded by lush green garden foliage.
A smiling mother lies in green grass dotted with yellow buttercups while her blonde daughter in a white dress hugs her.
Smiling woman and bearded man in soft neutral outfits hold a blonde toddler in a white lace top outdoors among sunlit green trees.
Smiling parents hold hands with a laughing toddler in a white dress as the family walks through a sunny green meadow.
Young child with blonde bangs in a white lace-collar blouse sits in a green meadow with yellow wildflowers, an adult's hand resting nearby.
Little girl in a white ruffled dress and sandals walks along a stone garden path lined with lush green plants and blue flowers.
Toddler girl in a white lace dress holds up a yellow wildflower while standing in a sunny green meadow.
Toddler with blonde hair in a white lace-trimmed eyelet dress stands with hands clasped, looking down beside lush green garden foliage.
Young toddler in a pink gingham sundress and white sandals walks along a stone garden path beside green hedges and a tree.
Blue-eyed toddler girl in a white lace dress gazes at the camera while her smiling mother and bearded father lean in close.
Smiling woman in a blue dress and bearded man in a beige shirt hold a blonde toddler girl outdoors in a sunlit green park.
Woman in a light blue dress kneels beside a toddler in a white dress, pointing out colorful flowers in a sunlit garden.
Smiling woman and bearded man hold a giggling blonde toddler in a white dress during an outdoor family portrait among sunlit green trees.
Young blonde girl in a floral sundress being held in the arms of her mother in a soft blue top, bathed in warm natural light.
Toddler girl in a white ruffled dress and sandals stands on a stone path, gazing at lush green garden plants and purple flowers.