Planning a trip to Cancun and want to get awesome Cancun family photos? Keep scrolling to find out how to book a Cancun family photography session at an affordable price!
This post about how to book an epic Cancun family photography session was written by family travel expert Marcie Cheung and contains affiliate links which means if you purchase something from one of my affiliate links, I may earn a small commission that goes back into maintaining this blog.
We love spending our family vacations in warm, tropical destinations. My family is always happiest when they are warm and able to soak in the sunshine while splashing in the water.
So, we chose to spend Christmas in Cancun, Mexico this year to escape our cold, gloomy Seattle weather.
Of course, I had to book a family photo session (pics or it didn’t happen!) Keep scrolling to see how they turned out!
Don’t want to scroll? Click HERE for $25 off a Flytographer photoshoot!
Are Cancun Family Photos Worth It?
As soon as we booked our winter break trip to Cancun, Mexico I knew I wanted to book a Cancun family photo shoot.
It was a great excuse to get cute family photos on the beach. Plus, Cancun is a fantastic backdrop!
Our Cancun, Mexico Photoshoot
We visited Cancun during Winter Break and scheduled our photoshoot for December 26. Unfortunately, there was a massive wind/rain storm that day so we were able to quickly reschedule our photo session for the following day.
We grabbed a taxi from the Hyatt Ziva Cancun and met our photographer in front of the famous Cancun sign at Playa Delphines (where the line was crazy long!)
She ushered us toward the shrubbery area at the top of the beach and that’s where our photo shoot kicked off.
Eventually, we made our way down to the sandy beach and we ended the shoot with photos in the water!
Why You Should Hire a Cancun Photographer Through Flytographer
1. SECRET INSIDER TIPS
We’ve used Flytographer all over the world and they ALWAYS know the best photo spots. It’s often someplace that I wouldn’t have found myself but the photos turn out awesome.
2. POSING HELP
I really enjoy snapping fun pictures of my kids when we’re on vacation, but I’ll be honest, I’m not great at posing for photos myself.
It feels like I just can’t look natural, and I end up doing the same thing with my hands, standing the same way, and even smiling the same in every shot.
Luckily, the photographers at Flytographer really know their stuff. They come up with easy poses that make us all look relaxed and natural, even though we’re in front of a camera. This even helps my kids loosen up.
For instance, we did lots of piggyback rides during our photo shoot in Cancun.
Seeing the photos from our first session with Flytographer, I was amazed at the difference their tips made. My favorite shots are the ones where they had us do little activities. We ended up looking so spontaneous and genuine!
3. CAN LEAVE YOUR GEAR AT HOME
Every time we go on a trip, my husband wrestles with whether to lug his big camera bag around. It’s packed with his heavy camera and several lenses, though he ends up using it just a little bit during our vacations.
It’s really a relief knowing we’ll definitely get some great family photos, so he doesn’t feel bad about leaving his camera gear behind. Plus, he doesn’t have to stress about losing it or having it stolen while we’re away.
4. THEY ARE FUN + EASY!
We did a lot of tickle fights, piggyback rides, shoulder back rides, and other fun arrangements. But, we still managed shots of each family, group shots, etc.
Top Cancun Photography Spots
Playa Delfines & Del Ray, Hotel Zone
Playa Delfines is the go-to spot for those classic Cancun beach photos you see everywhere. That’s why we picked it for our family photo session.
It’s got a wide sandy beach and a viewing deck that’s just perfect, especially if you’re traveling with a big group. No wonder it’s the most popular choice for Flytographer shoots!
Playa Ballenas, Hotel Zone
Right in the middle of the hotel zone and close to many resorts, this beach is perfect for a photoshoot. With its soft sand and bright blue waters, it’s a fantastic public beach everyone can enjoy!
Isla Mujeres Beach & Town
Check out the colorful fishing village of Isla Mujeres and wrap up your visit at Playa Norte, a gorgeous beach lined with palm trees. It’s a super fun spot to explore!
Playa Chac Mool, Hotel Zone
Just a bit south of the center of the Hotel Zone, this beach is perfect for everyone because you can pick from sandy or rocky shores. It’s also great for large groups to hang out and have fun!
Playa Forum
Playa Forum in Cancun epitomizes a Caribbean paradise with its sandy beaches and turquoise waters, offering a year-round holiday atmosphere.
Visitors can explore from Playa Chacmool to Los Cubos de Forum, perfect for relaxing or taking photos, enjoying stunning views and unique landscapes.
How to Book Affordable Cancun Photographers
While we’ve used a lot of different vacation photographers throughout the years, some of my most memorable experiences have been through Flytographer.
Basically, it’s a concierge vacation photography website where you can find photographers almost anywhere in the world, including Cancun. That’s how we found Claudia. Find the best prices here.
Flytographer makes it super easy to find the perfect family photographer for your trip to Cancun. You can check out each photographer’s style, discover hidden spots they know for great photos, and even browse their online portfolios before you decide to book!
Booking is really straightforward, too. Just click to pick your preferred dates. Flytographer will handle checking the photographers’ availability and get back to you with the best options for your schedule, so you don’t have to worry about fitting it into your trip plans!
What I love most about Flytographer is that they are FAST! We sometimes receive our photos before the end of our trip! I love looking at them on our flight home.
What to Wear for Cancun Family Pictures
Of course, you can totally wear whatever you want for your Cancun family photos. But, I know some people like to get ideas, so I’m listing a few options to add to your Mexico packing list to make your photos look cohesive.
Pastels
If you are doing your Cancun photography session in town or by the water, the best color palette is pastels.
I wore a white dress with a colorful print and had my husband and boys wear pink, seafoam green, and blue to coordinate.
Neutrals
Another option is to stick with neutral colors. This works well if people wear a combination of white, tan/khaki, and blue. It makes a nice contrast to the vibrant background.
White
Beachy photos always look so glamorous when people wear white. You could have the guys wear white linen shirts and khaki pants/shorts. And the gals could wear white sundresses or jumpsuits.
5 Tips for Getting Awesome Cancun Family Pictures Every Time
1. DO YOUR HAIR AND MAKEUP
It’s really great to plan your photo shoot for right when the park opens. This way, you can get ready at your hotel and feel fresh and at your best. However, sometimes that just isn’t possible.
I know it can be hard to look your best after a day of snorkeling or touring around, but taking a little time to tidy up can make a big difference.
If you can’t go back to your hotel, try finding a nearby restroom where you can fix your hair and touch up your makeup. That way, you’ll look and feel great for your photos!
2. WATCH POSING VIDEOS
Even though I’ve already talked about how great Flytographer is at helping with poses, I think it’s always good to have a few tricks up your sleeve. That way, you have some go-to poses ready if you want to switch things up a bit.
A friend of mine suggested checking out YouTube for videos on posing. They really help you learn some simple, natural-looking poses that still make you look confident! There’s this one video I love because it shows a few easy poses that anyone can try.
Watching those how-to pose videos really helped me figure out what to do with my hands, where to look, and how to show off my best side.
Plus, I picked up some fun ideas on how to interact with my kids during our photo shoots so everything looks natural and carefree.
3. GET PHOTOS WITH YOUR PARTNER
Cancun isn’t just a family spot—it’s super romantic too! So, don’t miss out on snapping some photos with just you and your partner.
I always remind our vacation photographer to get a couple of shots of just me and my husband. These often turn out to be some of my favorites.
Plus, think about it, this might be the best shot at getting some great pictures with your partner during the whole trip.
4. COME UP WITH A SHOT LIST
When you’re planning a photo shoot in Cancun, it really helps to be clear about what you want with your photographer.
This means sharing your ideas about the style of photos you like, and who you want in them, especially if it’s a big family shoot. For example, you might want pictures of just the grandkids, or shots of the grandkids with their grandparents.
Flytographer is great because they ask you a bunch of questions before the shoot. This helps you think about what you’re looking for, so your photographer knows exactly what you want.
Think about where you want your photos taken too. Maybe you imagine walking along the beach, or snapping a fun moment with a Mexican snack.
If you’re someone who finds inspiration visually, try looking through Instagram. You can save a collection of your favorite family photo ideas to show your photographer. This way, they can help you capture similar moments.
5. USE PROPS
One last tip for getting the best Cancun family photos is to include props.
Kids usually feel more relaxed when they have something to hold or an activity to do during photo shoots. This helps them avoid that awkward “cheese” face that older kids often make. Plus, it lets them add a bit of their own flair to the pictures.
You can try giving them things like musical instruments, toys, straw hats, or a cool souvenir they found during the trip. And honestly, food is always a hit!
We often promise our kids a special treat for the end of the photo session. Then, we actually give it to them during the last few shots.
You could go for popsicles, ice cream cones, frozen mocktails, tacos, or whatever fits the scene where you’re taking the photos. Those end up being some of my favorite pictures of my kids!
Cancun Family Photography Wrap-Up
Get your Cancun family photos taken by one of the best photographers in the area.
Check out our list of recommended photographers in Cancun and book a shoot with them today!
Remember to wear something you feel confident in so you can have an awesome photo session in Cancun. Make sure to follow these tips for getting perfect pictures, too!
Check out these awesome Cancun family photographers! Click HERE for $25 off a Flytographer photoshoot!
