Villa Borghese: A Family-Friendly Oasis in the Heart of Rome
Vacation Portraits Kirstie McConnell Vacation Portraits Kirstie McConnell

Villa Borghese: A Family-Friendly Oasis in the Heart of Rome

Rome, the Eternal City, has it all—ancient ruins, world-class cuisine, and enough gelato to satisfy even the most indulgent traveller. But let’s be honest: it can also be a bit much. The bustling streets, endless attractions, and selfie-stick-wielding crowds can leave you craving a slice of serenity.

Enter Villa Borghese, your ticket to calm amidst the chaos. Just a short stroll from Piazza del Popolo, this sprawling park offers a quieter side of Rome that many visitors overlook. Whether you’re seeking a peaceful retreat, a family adventure, or the perfect photo shoot backdrop, Villa Borghese delivers in spades.

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Kid-friendly food in Italy beyond pizza
Vacation Portraits Kirstie McConnell Vacation Portraits Kirstie McConnell

Kid-friendly food in Italy beyond pizza

Many of my clients tell me that their biggest fear prior to arriving in Italy is finding food other than pizza for the fussy eater in their family. If you share those concerns and are wondering what to feed your kids in Italy beyond pizza, you’re in the right place!

The good news is that Italian food is typically simple flavours with fresh ingredients, and based on my travels throughout the world, I have to argue that it is the most child-friendly cuisine in the world.

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Puglia mum & daughter portraits: Agriturismo photoshoot at Masseria Potenti
Vacation Portraits Kirstie McConnell Vacation Portraits Kirstie McConnell

Puglia mum & daughter portraits: Agriturismo photoshoot at Masseria Potenti

Looking for a place to escape everyday life, to process a recent event and find a way forward, this mum and daughter spent a week in Puglia at Masseria Potenti. Together, they oohed and ahhed at the landscape surrounding them. They over-indulged in the food placed in front of them. They talked, they laughed, and they embraced the special bond they have. And now they have gorgeous photos to relive the trip forever!

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Savouring Italy, One Pasta Shape at a Time: A Journey Through Italy’s Regional Pasta Traditions
Vacation Portraits Kirstie McConnell Vacation Portraits Kirstie McConnell

Savouring Italy, One Pasta Shape at a Time: A Journey Through Italy’s Regional Pasta Traditions

Dreaming of Italy with the family? Sure, there’s the art, the history, the jaw-dropping landscapes—but let’s be honest, Italy’s true heart is in its food. And what better way to dive into Italian culture than through pasta?

Each Italian region has its own signature pasta shape, and trying them is like taking a delicious bite out of local history, one forkful at a time.

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Tuscany Family Photoshoot at Al Gelso Bianco
Classico Portraits, Vacation Portraits Kirstie McConnell Classico Portraits, Vacation Portraits Kirstie McConnell

Tuscany Family Photoshoot at Al Gelso Bianco

Family is everything to these Aussies- but between demanding work hours and after-school activities, they never managed to use one of the multiple gift certificates they purchased for each other over the years for a family photoshoot.

When they booked a week in the gorgeous Tuscan countryside at Al Gelso Bianco and learned they could have a photoshoot there while they were all together, without the distractions of day-to-day life- they decided to make it happen.

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Tuscany Countryside Family Portraits
Classico Portraits, Vacation Portraits Kirstie McConnell Classico Portraits, Vacation Portraits Kirstie McConnell

Tuscany Countryside Family Portraits

As a family vacation photographer in Italy, I work with kids of all ages but understandably one of the first comments made by parents upon enquiry is that they’re not sure if their kids will smile for the camera.

I get it. Over the last decade or so I’ve met my fair share of shy kids. But what I learned very quickly was how to make sure that by the end of the shoot they’re comfortable- and the photos reflect that.

That’s because this is your vacation. And I want you to look back at these photos and not only remember the wonderful trip to Italy, but of our few hours spent together with fond memories. I truly want you and the kids, to enjoy the photoshoot as part of your holiday.

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Family photoshoot with Grandma in Tuscany
Vacation Portraits Kirstie McConnell Vacation Portraits Kirstie McConnell

Family photoshoot with Grandma in Tuscany

Taking a trip to Italy with multiple generations isn't just about ticking off destinations on a map; it's about weaving stronger threads in the fabric of your family story. Picture this: Grandparents, parents, and kids, all sharing in the thrill of discovery, the joy of experiencing new sights, sounds, and in Italy, of course, flavours. It's not just about the places you go, but the moments you share along the way that truly cement those family ties.

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The Italian Lakes: A Perfect backdrop for your Multi-Gen Vacation
Vacation Portraits, Italian Lakes Kirstie McConnell Vacation Portraits, Italian Lakes Kirstie McConnell

The Italian Lakes: A Perfect backdrop for your Multi-Gen Vacation

Planning a family reunion or a multi-generational escape in the captivating Italian Lakes requires careful consideration. The picturesque lakes, adorned with charming towns against the majestic backdrop of the Alps, beckon those with a taste for the finer things in life.

As you contemplate between the iconic Lake Como, family-friendly Lake Garda, culturally rich Lake Maggiore, and the hidden gem, Lake Orta, each offering a unique charm, let's delve into the details to help you curate the perfect Italian getaway that the whole family will enjoy- even your grandson!

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A step-by-step guide to your family vacation photoshoot in Italy with Classico Portraits

A step-by-step guide to your family vacation photoshoot in Italy with Classico Portraits

You’re planning a family travel adventure to Italy and intend to hire a portrait photographer while you’re here on vacation. So, it stands to reason that you’ll want to fully understand what’s involved in a vacation photoshoot in Italy before you book.

In this article, I’m going to reveal the step-by-step process of working with me so that you know exactly what to expect if you choose me as your Italy photographer, whether you’re visiting Tuscany, Venice or elsewhere!

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Italy's best hiking trails (from a photographers eye)
Vacation Portraits Kirstie McConnell Vacation Portraits Kirstie McConnell

Italy's best hiking trails (from a photographers eye)

What do you picture when you first think of a vacation in Italy? Exploring the Colosseum? Walking the streets of Florence with Gelato in hand? Eating too much pizza in Naples? Maybe laying under an umbrella on the Amalfi coast?

Italy is all of that, but it’s also an amazing hiking destination. And I’m not just talking about Tuscany’s rolling hills or the spectacular Dolomites. Just 20% of the country is flat terrain. The rest is a hiker’s paradise with rolling hills and spectacular mountains. No matter your experience or fitness level, there truly is a hike for everyone here in Italy!

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Family-Friendly Cooking Class and photoshoot in Tuscany
Tuscany, Vacation Portraits, Photoshoot Tips Kirstie McConnell Tuscany, Vacation Portraits, Photoshoot Tips Kirstie McConnell

Family-Friendly Cooking Class and photoshoot in Tuscany

A passion for good food is really the centre of Italian culture and what better way to immerse yourself than a local cooking class? There are plenty of options to choose from in any city you may visit, but what can be hard is finding a class that is suitable for the youngest family members.

I recently photographed this family as they made fresh pasta in the family-friendly Tuscan Agriturismo, Al Gelso Bianco (which I also recommend for accommodation too). As you can see, the entire family got involved thanks to the wonderful teacher.

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Why Invest in Family Portrait Photography in Italy while on Vacation?

Why Invest in Family Portrait Photography in Italy while on Vacation?

If you’re planning to experience Italy with your family this year or next, it’s certainly worth considering hiring a professional family photographer, especially one with knowledge of the country and whose style of family portrait photography you love.

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Couple Celebrate their Move to Italy
Couples, Vacation Portraits Kirstie McConnell Couples, Vacation Portraits Kirstie McConnell

Couple Celebrate their Move to Italy

Brazilian couple Leticia and Alex have recently moved to Turin from Canada where they spent the last 10 years. We had a fun photoshoot to celebrate their move when they were at Casa Di Langa recently, in the beautiful Langhe area in Piemonte.

If you’re into wine, you might be familiar with the Langhe as it’s where Nebbiolo is grown for the world-famous “Barolo”. It’s also a foodie capital, home to the “Slow Food Movement” and White Truffles.

Although the food and wine scene was a drawcard for these two, Leticia and Alex mostly chose Turin as their new home because of its proximity to the ski fields, while still being well connected to the rest of the world with the international airport.

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Family Sailing Photoshoot in Puglia
Calling Italy Home, Expats, Vacation Portraits Kirstie McConnell Calling Italy Home, Expats, Vacation Portraits Kirstie McConnell

Family Sailing Photoshoot in Puglia

Lisa (American) has raised her two beautiful daughters (half-Italian) here in Italy. They love to sail around Italy, and have even spent summers living on a boat! Her girls are the reason Lisa has stayed in Italy for over a decade and during that time she has embraced everything the country has to offer- the cuisine, the sea and the culture too!

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