Three Boys at Duke Gardens | Durham NC Family Photography — Witten Family

Three Boys at Duke Gardens.

The Witten boys were in motion before we even started. There was no sitting still on the agenda. There was no agenda at all, honestly. Just a family at Duke Gardens on a warm afternoon, being exactly who they are.

That's the whole game.

We moved through the gardens together. The boys found every interesting surface within reach, which at Duke Gardens is a lot.

These are the sessions I love most.

Duke Gardens is located at 420 Anderson St, Durham, NC 27708.

How to Get Great Family Photos When You Have Active Boys

One of the most common things I hear from families with boys: "They won't sit still. They won't look at the camera. Are they going to ruin the photos?"

No. They're going to make them.

Here's what I've learned after a lot of time photographing a lot of families with a lot of boys:


Let go of the idea of a perfect photo.

The best images from every single session I've ever shot are the ones where something went slightly sideways — where a kid made a face, or launched himself at a parent, or started crying because he wanted to hold the camera. Real moments photograph better than posed ones. Always.

Tell them they can move.

Boys respond to permission. When I say "you can climb on that bench" or "run over to your dad," the energy shifts completely. They stop dreading the session and start having fun. The photos follow.

Keep it to an hour.

Boys have a window. You want to shoot inside it, not past it. An hour — maybe 90 minutes — is plenty. We'll get everything we need. Duke Gardens has enough variety that we can cover a lot of ground without anyone burning out.

Dress them for comfort, not for photos.

Stiff shirts, tight dress shoes, anything that makes a kid physically uncomfortable will show up on their face. Soft linen, comfortable layers, sneakers — let them feel like themselves. The Witten boys were in exactly the right things. It showed.

Bring snacks.

I'm serious. A five-minute snack break mid-session can completely reset the energy. It works every single time.

Boys climbing on their dad on a garden bench at Duke Gardens Durham NC while mom laughs — energetic boys family photography Durham NC
Three boys tumbling and piling over their parents on the wooden boardwalk at Duke Gardens while dad laughs — Durham NC family photographer
Mom and dad in an intimate couple portrait nearly nose to nose in the forested section of Duke Gardens Durham NC
Dad hugging and laughing with his three sons in the dappled wooded garden at Duke Gardens Durham NC
Family of five sitting together on a stone garden bench at Duke Gardens in Durham North Carolina — parents with three young boys
Family of five relaxing together on the wooden boardwalk at Duke Gardens Durham NC with tropical plants in the background
Family of five sitting together on rocks in the wooded garden section of Duke Gardens Durham NC — candid Durham NC family photographer
Mom sitting on a stone bench at Duke Gardens Durham NC holding a pink magnolia flower while her youngest son hugs her from behind
Family of five laughing together on a garden bench at Duke Gardens in Durham NC — mom, dad, and three active boys
Beautiful family portrait of five in front of red camellia bushes at Duke Gardens Durham NC — parents with three young boys
Family of five portrait inside a rustic wooden pergola shelter at Duke Gardens Durham NC — parents and three boys
Family of five standing together on the wooden boardwalk path at Duke Gardens in Durham NC — lifestyle family photography
Family of five walking hand in hand on the wooden bridge at Duke Gardens in Durham NC — lifestyle family photography Durham
Mom smiling with two of her boys on a garden path at Duke Gardens in Durham North Carolina — Durham NC family photographer

The Wittens showed up with three boys and about forty seconds of patience for posed photos. We got all of this.

If you've been putting off a family session because you're worried your kids are too wild — that's not a problem. That's the whole story.


Durham family sessions are booking now. Reach out here — I'd love to meet your family.

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Hello there and thank you for stopping by! I’m Katrina, the heartbeat behind Fifty Two Hundred Photo + Film, in Durham, North Carolina. I specialize in capturing meaningful and precious memories for remarkable families in North Carolina. I hope you enjoyed this story I shared today and if you are interested in learning more about The Time Capsule membership, or let’s connect. Not quite ready to connect, but you would like to follow along the journey? Follow me on Instagram and let’s be friends!

Katrina is a family photographer and family filmmaker based in Durham, North Carolina. She offers lifestyle newborn photography, family sessions, and storytelling family films that focus on honest, heartfelt, and authentic moments. Her clients love receiving both their digital files and beautiful artwork to display in their homes. Katrina also creates custom heirloom albums so you can revisit your favorite memories for years to come.

Katrina has previously partnered with Adobe to share her expertise in capturing magical light and the true essence of each family—an experience that continues to shape her approach and craft.

Want an easy way to make something beautiful out of all your phone photos and videos? Learn more about the Time Capsule Membership here. 

Katrina serves Durham, Raleigh, Cary, Carrboro, Apex, and Chapel Hill, North Carolina

 
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