Why a Pool Photoshoot Is the Ultimate Summer Session

This storytelling summer pool session with the Wolfrey family was everything. The laughter, the splashes, the retro floaties, the popsicles… It was like pressing pause on a perfect summer afternoon and bottling it up in photo form.

As soon as we scheduled their shoot, I chatted with mom about what her kids genuinely love doing in the summer. Unsurprisingly, the pool was top of the list—and honestly, it’s one of my favorite ways to photograph families in Arizona’s summer heat.

Once we decided a pool session was the direction, we got to planning. We picked out swimsuits that coordinated just enough to look great together in photos but still felt relaxed and authentic (you know I’m not about that overly matchy-matchy look). We threw around prop ideas, too. I asked if her daughter liked sunglasses—and thank goodness the answer was yes, because those little heart-shaped sunnies were the CUTEST accessory ever.

Floaties? Check.
Favorite popsicle flavors? Double check.
Excitement level from the kids before I even walked in the door? Off the charts.

I hadn’t even said “hello” before her son was bouncing on his toes, ready to jump in the pool. That kind of energy is what makes storytelling sessions so easy—and so meaningful. The kids already want to be there. They’re in their element. And when your photos revolve around what your kids actually love to do? You’re not staging memories—you’re living them.

This session was also a reminder that storytelling photography works so well for families who want something more relaxed. Mom wore her suit, dad got to keep his sunglasses on the entire time, and no one was trying to wrangle toddlers into stiff smiles. They were just hanging out—playing catch in the pool, sharing popsicles, and being themselves.

And here’s the magic part: even the reluctant photo-dads end up loving it. I caught dad laughing, catching his son mid-air as he jumped into the water, cheers-ing popsicles with his daughter, and just fully in it. No stiff poses. No “where do I put my hands?” stress. Just good times and great photos.

Want Photos That Feel Like Summer?

If your kids are obsessed with the pool, or you just want a summer session that feels like an actual family hangout (and not a forced photoshoot), let’s talk. My summer storytelling sessions are designed to be fun, easy, and totally centered around what your family actually loves to do.

Let’s make a splash this summer—book your pool session here.