We have not been long living in Northern Tuscany, and there are still so many places to explore and discover, but when we had friends come to visit recently from the UK, we went to explore the region around the Apuan Alps and were not disappointed. Along with the pleasure of their visit, I was also excited as they had commissioned me to do some family photography for them while visiting Tuscany. The backdrop of the lake at Isola Santa and some disused marble mines not far from there made the perfect backdrop for some relaxed and natural family portraits to remember their trip to the Garfagnana.

We walked along the lake at Isola Santa and I photographed as we went. This made for relaxed and natural photos, particularly good with children as, as you are probably aware, children do their own thing! I also captured some of the local wildlife on the journey so images could be combined to provide an overall feel for the day and the adventure. Tuscany is such a wealth of wildlife, and it's wonderful to watch childrens' curiosity with all the little creatures they come across. 

family portrait in Apuan Alps Tuscany by Tuscany wedding and family photographer Elizabeth Armitage
river Isola Santa Garfagnana
family portrait in Apuan Alps Tuscany by Tuscany wedding and family photographer Elizabeth Armitage
family portrait in Apuan Alps Tuscany by Tuscany wedding and family photographer Elizabeth Armitage
wildflowers in Tuscany
family portrait in Apuan Alps Tuscany by Tuscany wedding and family photographer Elizabeth Armitage
family portrait in Apuan Alps Tuscany by Tuscany wedding and family photographer Elizabeth Armitage
mum and son by turquoise lake in Garfagnana Tuscany by family portrait photographer Elizabeth Armitage
bettle in Tuscany
lizard in Tuscany

The other thing that was great, was as this family photo shoot was with friends, my husband and daughter also came along for the walk and so we even got some of us - a very rare thing indeed!

Elizabeth Armitage a portrait and wedding photographer in Tuscany, Italy
kids adventure in Northern Tuscany
creative child portraiture in Tuscany Italy
family portrait in Apuan Alps Tuscany by Tuscany wedding and family photographer Elizabeth Armitage
family portrait in Apuan Alps Tuscany by Tuscany wedding and family photographer Elizabeth Armitage
Elizabeth Armitage photographer in Tuscany with her daughter
Elizabeth Armitage with her family in Tuscany
Elizabeth Armitage with her family in Tuscany
childhood unplugged adventures in Northern Tuscany
exploring with kids in Northern Tuscany

Along with finding the lovely shaded spot by a stream, we also went on to explore a disused marble mine. Striking in its form, I knew I wanted to take some portraits with this as a background. The sharp angles and the monotones of the hard stone make for dramatic images of this region of the Apuan Alps. 

dissed marble mine in Apuan Alps Garfagnana Tuscany Italy
landscape photography at disused marble mine in Northern Tuscany
Sharpe angles cut into marble in Tuscany
family portrait in Apuan Alps Tuscany by Tuscany wedding and family photographer Elizabeth Armitage
disused marble mine in Tuscany
creative and natural family photography in Tuscany
natural moments captured of a family on holiday in Tuscany
just waking up after an adventure in Tuscany
photographs capturing a family exploring Garfagnana Tuscany while on holiday
family on holiday in Tuscany photographed while having an adventure

I am hoping to photograph more families on adventures, perhaps on holiday in Tuscany and wanting a memento of their time spent here. Photographing families in a relaxed and natural environment make for the best images showing personality and relationships. If you are interested in having a beautiful photographic reminder of your holiday in Tuscany, Italy, and would like to book a family photo shoot in Tuscany, or even Devon, then please get in touch - and let's explore together!