Bonita Springs | The Cox Family

This beautiful family came all the way from Indiana for their Florida vacation and they specifically didn’t want a beach session. I love it when I get to do something a little different!

They were staying in Bonita Springs and it was the perfect opportunity for me to try a new location, Depot Park. I had scouted it earlier that week and instantly fell in love with the stunning green background filled with live oaks (my favorite tree). And the light coming in through the leaves was everything.

Depot Park: A Hidden Green Gem in Bonita Springs

When Toddlers Have Other Plans (And That’s Okay)

We moved fast at the start, full family, then the grandparents with their grandbabies. And I’m glad we did because that’s about when the toddlers decided they weren’t interested. New place, lots of adults, everyone asking them to smile. It’s a lot when you’re one and a half.

When we hit that wall, I asked the parents for permission to bring out my secret weapon: a bubble blower shaped like a camera! The adults thought it was hilarious and the kids were mesmerized. I tried to hide the bubble blower in the pics when I could, but with the family’s blessing it is in some of the photos haha! The bubbles really saved the day and add a magic touch to the kid’s pictures.

We ended the session at the playground letting the kids go down the slide with their parents and just be themselves. No pressure, just movement and laughter.

Despite a little crankiness (which is completely normal at this age), they really did amazing tolerating us grown ups for an hour! We still captured every combination: full family, grandparents, individual families, and the sweet in-between moments.

Family sessions aren’t about perfect behavior. They’re about documenting this season exactly as it is, and sometimes that means bubble bribery.