Some families need a little encouragement to get comfortable in front of the camera. The Cosgriff family? They were ready for anything!

Shaun and Sarah joined me at Roma Street Parkland in Brisbane with their two children, aged 11 and 13, for their first professional family photoshoot.

They had a simple goal: to create beautiful family photographs they could turn into canvases and hang on the walls at home.

What followed was a morning full of laughter, energy and a few wonderfully ridiculous moments along the way.

With colourful gardens, winding waterways, a peaceful lake and enormous trees with sprawling roots, Roma Street Parkland offered beautiful places to explore.

We kicked things off with the kids skipping across large stepping stones over the water. They were laughing their heads off, and within minutes everyone was ready for whatever came next.

One favourite moment was getting the family together for a good old-fashioned pile-on. Things escalated when Dad was encouraged to tickle the kids, and suddenly everyone was laughing. Those are the moments I love: the ones where people forget about the camera and enjoy being together.

As we explored the gardens, we discovered an incredible tree with enormous exposed roots that made a striking setting for family portraits. We also took time to capture Shaun and Sarah together, giving Mum and Dad a moment of their own.

What made this family such a joy was their willingness to embrace every idea. The kids brought the energy, Mum and Dad brought the smiles, and together they created a gallery that was unmistakably theirs.

When the family saw the photographs, Shaun told me they were finding it hard to wipe the smiles off their faces, especially looking at the kids. He said we’d captured the quirkiness of their family.

That might be the perfect compliment. The best family photographs aren’t necessarily the ones where everyone looks perfectly at the camera. They’re the ones that remind you what being together feels like.

For The Love Of Family. Beautiful photographs, genuine connections and a little bit of silliness along the way.