Irvine Mother and Son Photographer – Jeffrey Open Space Trail Session

CAPTURING COOL, CANDID MOMENTS WITH A MOTHER AND HER TEEN SONS

Two brothers throw fall leaves during a family session at Jeffrey Trail in Irvine.
Two boys walking on rocks at Jeffrey Open Space Trail.

Photographing boys at ages 12 and 15 requires a completely different approach than a toddler session. You can’t ask them to chase bubbles or play tag. For Ashley’s session with her sons, Jeffrey Open Space Trail was the perfect choice because it offers a backdrop that feels a bit more "editorial" and less like a park. We used the stone pedestrian tunnel and the wooden bridge to give the photos a structured, masculine vibe. The goal wasn't perfect posing—it was to create an environment where they could just hang out with their mom, laugh at inside jokes, and let their real personalities show up without it feeling forced.

Young boy with a fantastic afro poses for a portrait outdoors.

Why Jeffrey Trail Works for Older Kids

ARCHITECTURAL BACKDROPS

For boys this age, we want backdrops that feel structured and cool, not cutesy. The stone pedestrian tunnel and the wooden bridge at Jeffrey Trail provide that perfect "editorial" frame. It gives the boys something to lean on, walk through, and interact with, making the photos feel more like a magazine shoot and less like a standard park session.

Irvine family photography session at Jeffrey Open Space Trail. Two brothers pose on a rock, enjoying the fall colors.

Pre-teens and teenagers usually hate "smile at the camera" moments. Instead, I let Ashley’s boys move. Whether they were hanging out in the tunnel or pushing each other off the wall, the goal was to capture their real energy. By keeping the shutter speed high and the direction low, we got genuine expressions that you just can't fake with posing.

AUTHENTIC ACTION, NO STIFF POSES

Stylish young boy with glasses and a cool afro poses for a photo in Irvine.
A mother chats with her sons amongst fall leaves and large rocks at a park in Irvine, California.

As boys get older, they often disappear from family albums. This session was specifically about changing that. We prioritized shots of Ashley laughing with her sons, creating a space where they could just hang out together. These images capture that fleeting, special bond between a mother and her growing sons in a way that feels honest and relaxed.

THE MOTHER-SON CONNECTION

11 year old boy sitting on the rock with his head down.
Happy teenage boy with a cross necklace poses for a photo at Jeffrey Open Space Trail in Irvine, California.
Irvine family photography: A joyful mother and son share a sweet moment during their outdoor photoshoot.
Family portrait, Ashley and her boys, fall scenery, Jeffrey Open Space Trail, Irvine, California.
Mother and her two boys sitting on a picnic bench at a park in Irvine.
A woman with long brown hair and a white top laughs with her young son as they relax on a wooden picnic bench.
Joyful brothers with afros wrestle on a wall, capturing the spirit of childhood at Jeffrey Open Space Trail.
A mother and her two sons enjoy a sunny day at Jeffrey Open Space Trail in Irvine during their family photo session.
Close up portrait of a 12 year old boy and his brother.
Two brothers posing for a portrait in Irvine inside a pedestrian tunnel.
Family photography session at Jeffrey Open Space Trail, Irvine. Woman poses in tunnel.
Ashley standing on trail in letterman jacket with fall trees behind her.
Two boys in jeans running through a rocky path at Jeffrey Trail.

Related Sessions

A holiday family portrait of Ashley standing behind her two sons seated on a rustic garden bench at Pavilion Park.

YOUNG FAMILY ‘25

PAVILION PARK

A candid moment of a family stacking lemons and laughing together at a picnic table during a session at Jeffrey Open Space Trail in Irvine.

DEPPE FAMILY

JEFFREY OPEN SPACE TRAIL

A mother and father hugging their two teenage sons on the beach at Crystal Cove State Park during a relaxed family portrait session.

ARUL FAMILY

CRYSTAL COVE STATE PARK

Frequently Asked Questions

  • I get it! We don't do "stiff" posing or force them to smile at the camera for an hour. As you can see with the Young brothers, we focus on action and environment—walking through tunnels, leaning on bridges, or just hanging out. I keep the shutter speed high and the energy relaxed so it feels more like hanging out than a photoshoot.

  • The iconic stone tunnel is located near the Walnut Avenue crossing on Jeffrey Open Space Trail. It’s one of my favorite spots for older kids because it provides a cool, architectural backdrop that feels editorial rather than "cutesy," which teen boys tend to appreciate more than a flower field.

  • The goal is "cool and comfortable." Avoid matching polo shirts or stiff khakis. Instead, opt for layers like open flannel shirts over tees, hoodies, or fitted jeans. Textured fabrics and neutral earth tones (greens, browns, greys) look great against the stone and wood elements of Jeffrey Trail.