Scottsdale Desert Family Photos: 9 Kids, No Stress

The Scottsdale desert is a breathtaking backdrop for family photography, with its golden light, rugged trails, and stunning cactus.

So, when this sweet mama reached out and asked if I was up for the challenge of photographing her large family—nine kids ranging from ages 3 to 12—I didn’t hesitate for a second.

While the sheer size of their family was impressive, I never once worried that it would be overwhelming.

My experience as a middle school teacher had me juggling classrooms full of kids, so this? This felt like taking my class on a fun field trip, and I was ready to capture every beautiful, chaotic, and love-filled moment.

One of the most important things I tell all my families before a session is to let loose. This isn’t about standing stiffly in a line and forcing smiles.

It’s about play, movement, and connection.

And most importantly, I need THEM to show up for me, to engage, and to lean into the moment with their kids. Energy is everything in a session, and when the family is genuinely enjoying themselves, the magic unfolds naturally.

Utilizing the Scottsdale Desert for a Natural, Effortless Look

The Scottsdale desert provides an absolutely stunning backdrop for family sessions.

With its warm golden tones, textured rocks, winding trails, and iconic saguaros 🌵, it offers endless opportunities for exploration.

Since I wanted to capture this family in a way that felt effortless and natural, I set the tone from the beginning by encouraging them to walk the trail together while I snapped photos of the kids exploring their surroundings.

Picking up rocks, looking at the desert plants, holding hands—it’s all part of telling their story.

As we moved through the session, I gave simple, playful instructions to encourage connection. One of my favorites is “connect with someone next to you.” That can mean holding hands, giving a hug, or even a silly little poke.

There’s no wrong way to do it—it just needs to be real. These organic interactions create images full of warmth and authenticity.

Capturing a Large Family Without It Feeling Forced

Photographing a big family doesn’t have to mean stiff, overly posed portraits.

I wanted to make sure I got whole-family shots that felt dynamic and in-the-moment.

One way I did this was by having them all walk together while I trailed behind, yelling “Freeze! Look at me!” This created a beautifully staggered and natural-looking family portrait right on the trail.

Of course, I still wanted to capture a few more traditional posed shots, which is where my trusty blanket came in.

Instead of over-directing, I let them pile on naturally, seeing where each child gravitated and then making small adjustments to ensure everyone was visible.

Once settled, I gave fun prompts like “hug someone tight next to you!” and switched up who they should hug to create natural giggles and movement.

This made the posed moments feel playful rather than forced.

Individual Child Portraits Without the Pressure

With nine kids, I knew I needed to find a way to capture each child individually without making them feel put on the spot or having everyone else just standing around waiting.

My approach?

Capturing individual moments within the group.

As they hugged, explored, or laughed, I moved quickly, snapping portraits of each child in their natural element.

This way, they weren’t standing stiffly in front of the camera, but rather existing within their family’s love and energy. The result? Beautiful, genuine portraits that truly reflect who they are.

Why This Scottsdale Family Session Was So Easy & Fun

At the end of the day, what made this session work so beautifully was the family’s willingness to embrace the experience.

They trusted me, they played, they connected—and because of that, their photos reflect the love, joy, and energy of their family in the most authentic way.

If you’re a mom thinking, “But my kids won’t sit still for pictures!”—trust me, they don’t need to.

That’s the beauty of how I shoot.

Your job is simply to show up, play, and love on your family, and I’ll take care of capturing the moments that unfold.

So if you’re dreaming of a family session that feels more like an adventure and less like a chore, let’s make it happen in the gorgeous Scottsdale desert. You bring the love, and I’ll handle the rest!

“Thank you so much for taking these! I feel like you captured every single person’s personality so so perfectly!!! You can see and feel the love we have for each other in these photos! Seriously obsessed! And you made it so easy!” – Callie