A Candid Family Session at Fort Williams Park | Cape Elizabeth, Maine

There is something so much more meaningful about family photos when little ones are allowed to simply be themselves. This Fort Williams Park family session in Cape Elizabeth, Maine was exactly the kind of session I love most - it had lots of running, playing, exploring, and genuine connection between this family and their toddler. Rather than trying to keep everyone perfectly posed, we let their little one lead the way and captured the in-between moments along the way.

Sometimes this works best simply because kids LOVE exploring their surroundings, and whisking them from spot to spot can feel frustrating when they want to take their time. Or sometimes it’s because a kid is in a new place, on a new schedule, maybe not sleeping as well as usual. Whatever the reason, I love to let them lead as much as possible. I try to set up opportunities for interaction - tossing them in the air, chasing each other, tickling - rather than trying to create a pose that might not feel natural or organic.

Fort Williams Park is one of my favorite locations in the area because it has a mix of everything - rocky shoreline, the lighthouse itself, walking paths, and great variety in the scenery. In this instance, their toddler really loved the open grassy areas, where she could run wild!