Basildon Family Photographer: Adam's 3rd Birthday Outdoor Session at Wat Tyler Park

As a professional photographer, I know that when it comes to capturing memories, Basildon Family Photographer sessions need to adapt to the child’s age. When it came to my son Adam’s third birthday, I knew a traditional studio cake smash wasn't going to work. At age three, sitting still is definitely not a feature anymore!

So, we decided to do his session on location at one of our favorite spots, Wat Tyler Park in Basildon, Essex. It was a beautiful summer afternoon—and despite losing one of our helium balloons early on, it certainly didn’t ruin the shoot!

A young boy in a light blue shirt plays outdoors during golden hour with a blurred natural background.

The Toddler Strategy: When to Skip the Studio Cake Smash

Outdoor locations are perfect for capturing the natural energy and curiosity of a toddler. For ages 2 to 4, choosing a park or a field allows them to run, explore, and play, leading to far more genuine and joyful portraits than forcing them into seated poses.

Wat Tyler Park offers a wonderful mix of backdrops, from open fields to unique structures, giving us the variety needed for a full gallery. The key to success with toddlers outdoors is to make the session feel like a fun outing, not a stiff photo session. My role is to guide the interaction and capture the beautiful, authentic moments that happen while the family is focused on having fun.

Young child in light blue polo shirt giving thumbs up outdoors with white balloons in soft focus background.
A child sits on a wooden chair in a golden field with white balloons at sunset.
A child in a white shirt runs through a golden field at sunset holding three white balloons.
A collection of seven outdoor portrait photographs arranged in a horizontal row shows a young child in casual attire.
Child plays with white balloons in a golden field during sunset creating a dreamy outdoor scene.
A child sits on a vintage chair in a golden field at sunset holding white balloons.

Our Standard Shot List: Capturing Every Family Combination

To ensure we capture a complete set of treasured family portraits—even when chasing a three-year-old—I always work from a comprehensive shot list. This guarantees that you receive all the essential combinations:

  1. Full Family Portraits: Traditional and natural shots of all family members together.
  2. Parents with Each Child Separately: Capturing the unique bond between Mum and each child, and Dad and each child.
  3. All Children Together: Sibling interaction and connection (often requiring a lot of running and playing to capture candid moments!).
  4. Children on Their Own: Individual portraits that highlight each child’s personality and age.
  5. Parents Together: A quick, intimate moment to remind you of the love that started it all.


Before your session, I will discuss the specific style of the shoot and provide detailed guidance on what to wear. This helps you choose the best and most flattering outfits and colors for the season and location. For children aged one and under, you will also have the choice to select from a variety of outfits and props I provide.

Get in touch with me today to start planning your perfect outdoor family photoshoot in Basildon! I look forward to creating your beautiful family memories.