Pump House Park Family Photos: The Thrashers
Sometimes the best photo spots come from last-minute changes! We originally planned this family session for Maymont, but arrived to find it packed with prom photos. As a Richmond photographer, I’ve learned to pivot quickly. I drove around scouting alternatives and stumbled upon Pump House Park – what a lucky find for Pump House Park family photos!
Discovering The Potential of a New Location
I can’t believe I hadn’t shot at Pump House Park before. The classic stone architecture created a gorgeous backdrop that felt both historic and timeless for the Thrashers’ family portraits. The variety of settings within one location made it perfect for keeping young kids engaged.
The metal bridge spanning the river gave us another unique element for photos. Meanwhile, the winding paths lined with greenery offered beautiful framing for walking shots of the family together.
Pump House Park: Weather Adventures
Richmond weather keeps you on your toes! During our session, we experienced one of those weird Virginia moments – sunshine and rain simultaneously. Thankfully, it was just a few drops while the sun kept shining. The light actually turned gorgeous, with that golden pre-storm glow photographers dream about.
Having the stone pump house nearby meant we had shelter options if the rain had picked up. This is something I always consider when shooting outdoors with little ones.
Capturing Sister Dynamics
The Thrasher girls are only a little over a year apart, creating such a sweet dynamic between them. Their big sister took her role seriously, helping her little sister feel comfortable during our session. I love capturing these genuine sibling relationships.
Little sister wasn’t immediately convinced about smiling for the camera – totally normal for her age! We played games, made lots of silly noises, and let her set the pace. The candid moments ended up being some of my favorites from their gallery.
Our Approach for their Family Session
For the Thrashers, we created a mix of classic portraits by the stone architecture and more playful images along the riverside paths. This balanced approach gives families a well-rounded gallery with both frameable portraits and candid memories.
With young siblings close in age, I find movement-based prompts work wonders. Walking together, gentle swinging, and simple games keep their energy positive while creating natural interactions.
The varied backdrops at Pump House Park allowed us to create a diverse gallery without making the kids walk too far. We moved between the stone building, riverside, bridge, and wooded paths – each offering a distinct look within a small area.
What started as a backup plan turned into a new favorite location! The Thrashers’ session reminded me that sometimes the unexpected detours lead to the best discoveries. Their Pump House Park family photos captured this season of life perfectly – two sisters growing together, parents embracing the beautiful chaos of young children, and genuine connections in a stunning setting.
Planning your own Richmond family session? Learn about preparing outfits with our Richmond family outfit guide photo session tips!
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