Need a new and non-cliche fun family shoot idea? Hop on a sightseeing bus city tour! I’ve longed to find a bouncy family for such an adventure, and these 10-year-loyal clients totally crushed it in Philadelphia.
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Meet the Parents
So, who came up with this fun family shoot idea? Here are my Dipti and Sachin again! I was introduced to them in 2014 via Meera, whose wedding I shot in India. Dipti was pregnant with her first son, and I did her maternity session as part of a baby shower coverage, featuring her on my blog 10 years ago. I started my blog in 2008, so some clients have been featured there for 16 years already!
A big family session followed in 2015 when Dipti’s sisters joined with their families. It was shot at Princeton University.
A Birthday Treat
Another special shoot occurred in 2022 when I introduced birthday treats to hundreds of my clients. As a gift, I send them a coupon for a sweet $75 discount on their birthday for later use. Dipti was the first to wisely take advantage of it!
We shot in an abandoned mansion and went with a romance shoot, which married couples don’t do as often.
And then early this year, Dipti reached out to me and shared her fun family shoot idea during a sightseeing bus tour around Philly! I was soooo stoked! I’ve never seen such family shoots, and neither has she! Just look how cool the idea is!
Sightseeing Bus Tour Photoshoot Benefits
Using a sightseeing bus tour as a fun family shoot idea can make the experience amusing, action-packed, and unique in several ways:
1. Variety of Backdrops
- Iconic Landmarks: You can capture photos in front of well-known landmarks, providing a diverse range of backdrops without traveling extensively.
- Hidden Gems: Some bus tours include stops at lesser-known spots, offering unique settings for your photos.
2. Fun and Relaxation
- Stress-Free Transportation: Forget navigation, street regulations, searching for parking, meters, traffic lights and speed cameras, and car accident concerns! Relax and be as distracted from the road ahead of you as you wish!
- Comfort and Convenience: The bus tour lets the family relax between stops, ensuring everyone is in a good mood and ready for the next photo op.
- Playful Poses: Encourage playful poses and activities on the bus, like pretending to be the tour guide or mimicking the landmarks seen outside.
3. Interactive Elements
- Engaging Activities: To make this fun family shoot idea really work, capture moments of the family participating in tour activities or listening to the guide, adding an educational and interactive dimension to the photos.
- Props and Themes: Use sightseeing elements, such as guidebooks, maps, or even the bus itself, as props to create themed photos.
4. Natural Reactions
- Excitement and Wonder: Photograph family members’ reactions to the sights, capturing genuine expressions of awe and joy.
- Interaction with Locals: To add a social element to the shoot, include moments of interaction with local guides or other tourists.
5. Unique Perspectives
- Elevated Views: Get shots from the elevated viewpoint of the bus, providing a unique angle on the cityscape.
- Reflection Shots: Capture reflections in the bus windows, creating interesting and artistic images.
6. Dynamic Shots
- On the Move: Take candid shots on the bus while it’s in motion. This can capture the excitement and spontaneity of the trip, which is the essence of this fun family shoot idea.
- Different Angles: Use the upper deck of the bus for aerial shots and the lower deck for a more grounded perspective.
7. Time Efficiency
- Multiple Locations: Cover more ground in less time, allowing you to take photos at various locations within a short period.
- Scheduled Stops: Use the bus’s schedule to plan your shots and ensure you have time at each location for the perfect picture.
Tips to Make This Fun Family Shoot Idea Work
- Plan Ahead: Research the tour route and schedule to plan the best times and locations for photos.
- Check the Forecast: Look at the weather forecast to dress appropriately and plan for any potential weather-related challenges.
- Comfort and Safety: Pack snacks and water to keep everyone energized and hydrated throughout the tour. Bring comfortable shoes for walking and exploring at stops. Pack sunscreen, hats, and sunglasses for sun protection.
- Pack Essentials: Bring extra batteries and memory cards.
- Props: Bring lightweight, portable props that add fun and creativity to your photos, like hats, sunglasses, or themed items.
- Coordinate Outfits: Choose outfits that complement each other (just check out the family’s collection of Jordans below!) and the tour’s color scheme. Consider layering for different weather conditions and easy wardrobe changes.
- Early Start: Start the tour early to avoid crowds and take advantage of the best lighting conditions. Early mornings often provide softer, more flattering light for photos.
- Engage: Encourage family members to suggest poses and locations, making the experience more interactive and enjoyable. Embrace unexpected moments and opportunities for unique shots.
Piloting the Idea
While waiting for Dipti’s family shoot, planned for summer, I was given an opportunity to test this fun family shoot idea. Another past client of mine from NJ invited me to their family trip to Paris, France, where they celebrated their daughter’s Sweet 16. I featured that Paris Sweet 16 shoot on my blog. I shared the idea with them and they loved it, too, using it on one of the two days of shooting.
But, you know, a 16-year-old may not be as bubbly as two younger boys, so I anticipated even more from the Philly sightseeing bus tour.
Philly, Here We Come!
And now, here’s how Dipti’s fun family shoot idea came to life! They bought tickets for Philadelphia Sightseeing Tours. Of note, we learned that tickets are interchangeable with another sightseeing bus city tour operator, Philly Tours, a.k.a. Big Bus. At one stop, as we were stuck waiting for our red bus, we were kindly directed to the other operator’s bus. The routes and stops are identical, as far as I understood.
The experience was indeed packed, informative (we can still pick bits of curious facts between the shots!), diverse, and fun!
It also reminded me of another creative and fun concept I offer to select families, named “A Day in the Life of…” The similarities are in that I follow a family, capturing lots of candid moments besides the occasional posed portraits. The above-mentioned Paris family trip had the elements of that concept, but this Long Island family set a true example.
Including all the shots and describing all Philly locations and adventures we had would make the blog so long! I’ll only mention the Museum of Art with nearby Rocky Steps and Sculpture, The Love Sign with the fountains, and the bustling Reading Terminal Market where we had our power lunch on-the-go.
Conclusion
Yes, kids were got tired at the end. Three hours of such experience are challenging but can be managed once in a lifetime. Think of an album they’ll show to their kids or grandkids! Some story to tell…
By combining the thrills of a sightseeing bus tour with the creativity of photo ops caught by a skilled professional, you can make a memorable and unique family photo album that captures the spirit of adventure and discovery. If you do routine family sessions, add this offbeat concept to your list now. I go places around the country and the world, so… Who’s next for this fun family shoot idea? 🙂
Client’s Feedback
I absolutely LOVE the post and pictures! Goodness gracious, you never fail me! I’d been wanting to do this for so long and you made every bit of my vision come true! Thank you so much! I can’t wait to see all of the images!Dipti
