In This Guide
- Why Summer Is Perfect for Family Photos
- Best Times of Day to Avoid the Heat
- Top Edmonton Locations for Summer Sessions
- What to Wear for Summer Family Photos
- Keeping Kids Happy During the Session
- Edmonton Golden Hour by Month
- Booking Tips and What to Expect
- Frequently Asked Questions
Why Summer Is Perfect for Family Photos
Edmonton summers are something else. After surviving months of minus thirty and grey skies, the city explodes with colour. The river valley turns emerald green. The sun stays up until nearly eleven at night. And every park, trail, and field becomes a potential backdrop for beautiful family portraits.
As a family photographer in Edmonton, summer is hands down my busiest season — and for good reason. The natural light is extraordinary. The locations are endless. And the warm weather means kids can run, play, and be their natural selves without being bundled in winter coats.
But summer photography in Edmonton comes with its own set of challenges. The heat, the mosquitoes, the harsh midday sun, and the late sunset times all require some planning to get the best results. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to book a summer family session that produces photos you will love for decades.
Average Edmonton Summer Temperature (July)23°C / 73°FEnvironment Canada, 2025 Hours of Daylight in June (Edmonton)17+ hoursNational Research Council Canada
Best Times of Day to Avoid the Heat
The number one question I get about summer sessions is: “When should we book?” And the answer is always the same — early morning or late evening. Explore Edmonton lists dozens of parks and trails that are perfect for summer sessions. Here is why timing matters.
Morning Sessions (7:00 AM to 9:30 AM)
Morning light in Edmonton during summer is absolutely gorgeous. It is warm, soft, and directional — coming from the east at a low angle that creates beautiful shadows and a golden glow on everything it touches. The air is usually cooler, the parks are quieter, and the mosquitoes are less aggressive than they are at dusk.
The challenge with morning sessions is getting young children ready and cooperative that early. If your kids are naturally early risers, mornings are perfect. If they are not, an early wake-up followed by getting dressed and driving to a park can lead to cranky kids and stressed parents — which is the opposite of what we want.
Evening Sessions (7:00 PM to 9:30 PM)
Golden hour in Edmonton during summer starts late — around 8:30 PM in June and July. This means evening sessions can stretch until almost 10 PM with beautiful light. The warmth of the day has usually eased by 7 PM, and the light becomes that rich, amber tone that makes everyone look incredible.
Evening sessions work better for families with young children who nap in the afternoon. By 7 PM, they have had their nap, had dinner, and are usually in a good mood. The trade-off is mosquitoes — Edmonton evenings near the river valley can be buggy. Bring repellent.
Photographer Tip
Avoid booking sessions between 11 AM and 4 PM in summer. The overhead sun creates harsh shadows under the eyes and nose, makes everyone squint, and the heat makes kids miserable. If your schedule only allows midday, choose a heavily shaded location like a forest trail or covered pavilion.
Top Edmonton Locations for Summer Sessions
Edmonton has an embarrassment of riches when it comes to outdoor locations. Here are my favourites for summer family sessions, based on years of shooting in them.
Government House Park
This is my number one recommendation for families who want a variety of backdrops in one location. Government House Park has rolling green lawns, mature trees with beautiful canopy shade, a historic building for architectural backgrounds, and views of the river valley. You can get five completely different looks without moving your car.
Hawrelak Park
William Hawrelak Park is a classic Edmonton location. The lake, the amphitheatre, the walking paths through mature spruce trees — it is beautiful year-round but particularly stunning in summer when the grass is green and the trees are full. The parking is easy and there are washrooms nearby, which matters more than you think when you have toddlers.
Millcreek Ravine
For families who want a more natural, forested feel, Millcreek Ravine is spectacular. The tall trees create a beautiful canopy that filters light into soft, dappled patterns. The creek adds a natural element for reflection shots. It is one of the most photogenic natural spaces in the city.
University of Alberta Campus
The U of A campus offers beautiful architecture, manicured gardens, and wide open green spaces. The mix of stone buildings, covered walkways, and garden beds creates a sophisticated backdrop that works beautifully for larger families and extended family sessions.
River Valley Trails
Edmonton’s river valley is the largest urban parkland in North America. The trails along the North Saskatchewan River offer endless options — from wildflower meadows to towering spruce forests to open riverside views. For families who love the outdoors, these trails are a natural fit.
Location Best Time Best For Parking
Government House Park Evening Variety of backdrops Free lot
Hawrelak Park Morning or evening Families with young kids Paid lot
Millcreek Ravine Morning (less buggy) Natural forest feel Street parking
U of A Campus Evening Architecture + gardens Free evenings
River Valley Trails Golden hour Adventurous families Various access points
What to Wear for Summer Family Photos
Outfit coordination is one of the things that makes the biggest difference in family photos. Not matching — coordinating. There is an important distinction. Matching means everyone wears the same colour, which can look like a uniform. Coordinating means choosing colours that work together harmoniously, which looks intentional and beautiful.
Choose a Colour Palette
Pick two to three colours that complement each other and stick to them. For summer, I love:
- Earthy tones: Cream, sage green, tan, dusty rose. These look incredible against green grass and golden light.
- Blues and neutrals: Denim blue, white, khaki. Classic, timeless, and universally flattering.
- Warm tones: Mustard, terracotta, burgundy. These pop beautifully in golden hour light.
- Jewel tones: Emerald, navy, deep plum. Rich and elegant against summer greenery.
Avoid These
- Neon colours: They reflect onto skin and create unflattering colour casts.
- Large logos or text: They date the photo and draw attention away from faces.
- Busy patterns: They compete with each other and create visual noise in group photos.
- All black: In summer sunshine, black absorbs heat and creates a dark void in photos. Save it for winter.
Photographer Tip
Lay all of your outfits on a bed together before the session. If they look good as a group on the bed, they will look good together in photos. If one outfit sticks out as too bright, too dark, or too busy — swap it.
Keeping Kids Happy During the Session
Let me be real with you: photographing families with young children is part art, part psychology, and part bribery. Kids are unpredictable. They have bad days. They get hungry, tired, hot, and cranky — sometimes all within the first five minutes. Here is how I keep them happy and get great photos despite the chaos.
Feed Them First
A hungry child is an angry child. Feed your kids a full meal before the session. Not a snack — a meal. Bring backup snacks too. Goldfish crackers have saved more photo sessions than any fancy camera ever has.
Bring a Bribe
I am not above bribery and neither should you be. A lollipop, a small toy, the promise of ice cream after — whatever works for your kids. I keep a stash of bubbles and small toys in my camera bag for emergencies. One perfectly timed bubble wand can turn tears into genuine laughter in seconds.
Let Them Play
The biggest mistake parents make during family sessions is trying to get their kids to stand still and smile. Kids are not built for standing still. So instead of fighting their nature, I work with it. I let them run, climb, chase each other, and play — and I photograph them doing it. Some of the best family photos I have ever taken are of kids being completely, beautifully themselves.
Do the Formal Shots First
If you want those classic, everyone-looking-at-the-camera family portraits, we do those first — within the first ten minutes of the session when everyone is fresh and cooperative. Then we spend the rest of the time on candid, playful, natural moments. This approach works so much better than saving the formal shots for last when the kids are done.
Average Attention Span of Children Under 510–15 minAmerican Academy of Pediatrics, 2025
Edmonton Golden Hour by Month
Golden hour — the period of warm, soft light just before sunset — is the best time for outdoor photography. But in Edmonton, it moves dramatically throughout the summer. Here is when golden hour falls each month so you can plan accordingly.
Month Golden Hour Starts Sunset Notes
June 8:30 PM 10:07 PM Latest sunset, longest golden hour
July 8:15 PM 9:45 PM Still very late, warm evenings
August 7:30 PM 9:00 PM Noticeably earlier, still beautiful
September 6:30 PM 7:50 PM Earlier start, rich autumn tones
The takeaway: June and July sessions can start as late as 7:30 PM and still catch beautiful golden hour light. August and September sessions should start no later than 6:30 PM. I plan every session around these times to ensure the best possible light.
Booking Tips and What to Expect
Summer is the most popular season for family photography in Edmonton, which means availability fills up fast. Here are my honest recommendations for booking.
- Book early: June through August weekends fill up 6 to 8 weeks in advance. If you have a specific date in mind, do not wait.
- Consider weekdays: Weekday evenings are beautiful for photos and parks are much less crowded. You get the same golden hour light without the Saturday crowds.
- Have a backup plan: Edmonton weather is unpredictable. I always have an indoor backup location in mind, and I monitor weather closely in the days before your session. If we need to reschedule, we reschedule — no stress, no fees.
- Session length: For families with young children, 60 minutes is usually perfect. It is long enough to get a variety of shots but short enough that kids do not hit the wall. For older families, 90 minutes gives us time for location changes and more varied portraits.
Key Takeaways
- Book morning (7-9:30 AM) or evening (7-9:30 PM) sessions to avoid harsh midday sun
- Government House Park and Hawrelak Park are top Edmonton locations for variety
- Coordinate outfits in 2-3 complementary colours — do not match identically
- Feed kids before the session and bring snacks and bribes
- Do formal shots first when kids are fresh, then let them play
- Book summer sessions 6-8 weeks in advance — popular dates fill fast
Ready for Summer Family Photos? Edmonton summers are short and magical. Let us capture your family in that beautiful golden light before it fades. I will handle the photography — you just bring the snacks and the laughter. Book Your Summer Session
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if it rains on our session day? We reschedule at no extra cost. I monitor the weather closely and will reach out 24 hours before if rain is likely. Light overcast is actually beautiful for photos — it acts as a natural softbox. We only reschedule for rain, storms, or severe wind.
Can we bring our dog to the session? Absolutely! Dogs are part of the family. I recommend doing the dog-included shots early in the session when everyone is fresh. Then we can continue with human-only portraits while the dog relaxes. Bring treats and a leash handler (someone not in the photos) for the best results.
How many photos will we receive? For a 60-minute family session, you will typically receive 50 to 80 fully edited images. For a 90-minute session, expect 80 to 120. Every image is individually edited for colour, exposure, and consistency.
What about mosquitoes? Edmonton mosquitoes are legendary. I recommend applying repellent before the session — the kind without DEET if possible, as DEET can damage camera coatings if it gets on my gear. I also choose locations with more breeze and fewer standing water sources when mosquitoes are bad.
Can grandparents and extended family join? Of course! Extended family sessions are wonderful. I recommend booking a 90-minute session for larger groups so we have time for all the combinations — grandparents with all grandchildren, individual family units, the whole group together, and of course, just your immediate family. Check out pricing and packages for details.
Browse our family photography gallery or check out session packages and pricing.
