It’s no lie that I love indoor photos, but there’s something special about an outdoor session in spring. Spring is a great time for family photos in the Seattle area. The weather is normally starting to warm up, flowers are in bloom, sunset is at a reasonable time, and spring fashion is so fun. Spring sessions are perfect for families, and maternity sessions, and can be booked directly from my website here.
How to Prepare Your Home for Your In Home Photography Session
The majority of my family sessions are held in home and one of the questions I’m asked the most is how to prepare the home. A lot of Seattle area homes are old with small windows and the number one thing I’m looking for is the quality of the light. If you walk around your home a few days before your scheduled session time, take a look at where the light is the most abundant. These are likely the areas we’ll be using for your photo session.
You don’t need to redecorate or go crazy styling your home. The point of having an in home session is to photograph your family in the space in which they are most comfortable. You will want to keep in mind that anything left out has the potential to make it into your photos, so if you don’t want it photographed, put it out of sight.
Top things to do:
Make beds
Clean up countertops
Open all shades
Turn off overhead lights
Tidy up main living spaces
Make sure any picture frames / artwork are straight
Remove water bottles and phone chargers from bedside tables
Fix any broken windows
Clean mirrors (I use them a lot during my in home family sessions)
Not sure how to prepare your family for your photography session? Read this.
How Do I Prepare for my Family Photo Session
You’ve booked your family photography session but now you’re wondering what you can do to prepare for the big day. Whether you’re having your family photo session outdoors at one of the beautiful locations Seattle has to offer, or in the comfort of your own home, here are my top tips to make sure your photo day goes as smoothly as possible.
Make sure the kids are well rested
Your family photo session should be the big activity for your family that day. Try to make sure there aren’t any other big events such as birthday parties or zoo visits. You’ll want your kids to be happy and exhausted kids often mean cranky kids.
Have your wardrobe finalized about a week before
There’s nothing worse than trying on your outfit right before your session starts and realizing that something doesn’t fit. Aim to have everything finalized at least a week before your session. That way, if something doesn’t fit, you’ll have time to find a replacement.
Check for chipped nail polish
Trust me, it shows in pictures!
Don’t forget to eat before your session
Nothing makes kids (and adults) melt down quicker than a growling stomach. Have a light meal before your photo session, right before you get changed for it. This will keep the whole family happy.
Bring snacks
If you want to keep your kids going throughout the session, many parents like to have some snacks on hand. I recommend non-messy snacks such as gummies so they don’t stain the clothes.
Good things to have on hand
It’s great to have things like a hairbrush and baby wipes handy.
Relax!
If you’ve been following my work at all, you know I’m not going to ask you to stand, smile and look awkward in front of the camera. Just love on your babies, play with them, snuggle with your partner, then let me handle the rest. All you need to do is show up as YOU!
If you’d like to know more about my sessions, take a look at my information page.
A 2022 Wrap Up {Seattle Family Photographer}
What a wonderful year 2022 was. It was filled with lots of familiar faces that I’ve photographed for 6-7 years in a row, as well as several new families I got to meet for the first time. I photographed 46 families and 18 newborns. I did my first lifestyle newborn mentoring session for another photographer, and I started making plans to start a class for parents on how to take better vacation photos (more on that to come later). March and August were my busiest months for newborns, while September and October were my busiest months overall. I was able to return to Fresh 48 sessions which makes me so happy! Here are some of my favorite images for the year. I am so grateful to each and every family who booked a session with me this year. Here’s to a wonderful 2023!
Why You Should Have Your Family Photography Session at Your Home {Seattle Lifestyle Photographer}
I strongly believe that your home is always the perfect backdrop for your family photographs. Here are some of the reasons why:
Your home is warm and cozy
Here in the Seattle area, the winters are long and rainy. By having your family photography session in your home, we will never have to reschedule due to weather, and you don’t need to take your kids out in the cold.
Your kids are more comfortable at home
Your home is your children’s safe space. They feel more comfortable there than any other place on earth. When they’re comfortable, they’re much more likely to cooperate for your family session.
Your home helps tell your story
Most of the time, a beach or park has no real meaning to the family being photographed there. Your home is a part of who you are and helps to tell your story.
You don’t have to drive for a long time to get to a location
All you need to do is be ready when I arrive. I do the traveling so you don’t have to!
It would be an honor to photograph your family in the four walls in which you’re most comfortable!
How to Photograph Your Family Vacation {Seattle Family Photographer}
I make no secret that I adore travel. One of my goals is to show my kids as much as the globe as possible. Opening my kids’ eyes to other cultures is one of the greatest gifts I can give them. Whether you love international travel as much as I do, or a quick weekend road trip is more your style, it’s important to photograph your family on vacation so they have those memories to look back on. Here are my top tips for photographing your family vacations.
Get in the picture:
Mamas, this one is for you. So often, the mom is the family photographer, whether she’s a professional or not. You want your kids to be able to look back at your vacation album and know that you were there too! I always make sure I hand over my camera so that I can be photographed too.
Instead of posing your kids, just photograph them as they are:
When you’re on vacation, kids are there to have fun. Instead of asking them to stop and smile, photograph them playing, building sandcastles, swimming etc.
Don’t forget to photograph the details:
Did you kids build sandcastles? Find a cool seashell? Take pictures of these things since you can’t physically take them home with you.
Use shapes to add interest in your photographs:
I love to use shape to add visual interest in my pictures. In the photograph below, I liked how my son’s drink shape and color matched the spots on the floatie.
Frame your subjects
I love adding framing in my photographs, In the below image, I waited for my son to go under the arch. The arch frames him in, adding more visual interest.
Photograph the environment
You choose your destination for a reason. Don’t forget to stand back and photograph your family enjoying it!
Photograph your kids trying new foods/drinks
One of the things I love most about traveling is exposing my kids to new foods. I’m lucky that most of my kids are excited to try new things. I always make sure I photograph this.
Try for a couple of group images
I know my tip was to photograph them playing, but it’s always nice to get a group image of all your kids together.
Don’t forget about your lodgings:
Whether you’re staying in a hotel, a tent, or an Airbnb, you’ll be spending a lot of time there, so make sure it makes your vacation album.
Framing
I mentioned above that I like to “frame” my subjects. Get creative with this. What can you use to frame your subjects. Here are some more examples:
Photograph differences between the place you’re visiting and home
Are you in a new country? Photograph their flag, or new foods, or anything that is unique to that place.
New activities and adventures
I’m sure this is one you’re already doing, but make sure you take a few photographs of any fun or new adventures you’re having. My kids had an unexpected horse ride on the beach so I made sure I photographed that.
I hope this inspires you to photograph your next vacation. It doesn’t matter whether you use a DSLR, a mirrorless camera or your phone. It’s just important to take the pictures! For what it’s worth, all my vacation pictures were taken with a camera I bought specifically for traveling. It is the Fujifilm x100v. It’s super lightweight and small and easily fits in my handbag. It has a fixed length lens, which is fine for me as I’m used to photographing with a prime lens. I also felt much safer not taking my professional camera on vacation with us.
How to Choose the Right Photographer for Your Family Photo Session {Seattle Family Photographer}
Choosing the right photographer for your family photography session can feel like a daunting task, especially in a larger city like Seattle where it seems there are a ton of options. By writing this, I hope I can help you narrow down the search a little more.
Where do you want your session?
Are you looking to have your session at home? At a local beach or park? Or do you want an adventure up a mountain somewhere? By choosing where you want your session, you’ll be able to start searching for a photographer who does sessions in the place you’re most interested in.
Do you want a posed session where everyone looks at the camera or do you prefer to be photographed engaging with your kids?
All photographers have a style. Many will photograph families perfectly posed, and others, myself included, take a more lifestyle approach and photograph the parents playing and snuggling with their children. Once you decide if you want a posed session or a lifestyle session, you can narrow down your search even further.
Do you want your images to be light and airy, dark and moody, or somewhere in between?
Photographers each have a unique editing style. Look over photographers’ portfolios to see if their editing style is inline with the vision you have for your photo session.
Get to know them
Having a photographer come into your home (if that’s where you choose to have your session) can be a very personal experience. Follow them on Instagram, read their about page on their website. Is this someone you would feel comfortable with posing you or being in your home?
I hope this will help narrow down your search. For the record, I take a more lifestyle approach and while I do a handful of outdoor family sessions over the summer and fall, my passion is in home photography. My editing style leans a little more light and airy and I feel like I’m a pretty fun person to be around :) It would be an honor to be chosen for your family photos.
What is Lifestyle Photography?
“Don’t shoot what it looks like, shoot what it feels like” - David Alan Harvey
Lifestyle photography falls somewhere in the middle between a completely journalistic photography style and a smile-and-look-at-the-camera posed style. Lifestyle photography captures families loving on one another while still being somewhat directed by the photographer. The majority of my lifestyle sessions take place in your home. Newsflash - you do not need a newborn to have an in-home session! That seems to be a common misconception. Many people think that in-home sessions are for newborns and outdoor sessions are for families with older kids, but I have photographed many families in their own homes with breathtaking results. There are many reasons why I love in-home sessions but one of the major reasons why I love shooting in-home is because that’s where you’re most comfortable, and when you feel comfortable, it shows in your images.
When I arrive, I will take a quick walk around your house to determine where the best light is. Once that’s complete, I’ll slowly get out my camera while chatting with your kids until they feel comfortable with me. A lot of people feel awkward having their photo taken. Please know that this is completely normal! My goal is to make this as relaxing as possible. I will always help guide you into position, however, I’m not going to ask you to look and smile at me. Once you’re in position, I’m going to ask you to look down at your kids, tickle them (if that’s their thing), snuggle with them, read to them, play with them. This will help create meaningful images that show your kids how much they are loved.
How should you prepare your house for an in-home session? First of all, your house doesn’t have to be perfect. You have kids, it should look like they live there, however, please keep in mind that anything left out has the potential to be photographed. If you don’t want it in your images, put it away. I usually use the main bedroom, living room and kids rooms / nursery so if you want to tidy up, focus on those areas.
What should you wear to your in home session? I recommend that all family members are barefoot. I will have you sit on your bed, or snuggle on the couch, places where you wouldn’t normally wear shoes. It’s also easier for you that way because it’s one less thing to worry about! I have an online styling service for all my families and you are more than welcome to use it to pull together outfits. You can be as casual or as dressed up as you like. The most important thing is that you’re comfortable!
Any questions? Reach out! I’d love to chat with you.
A Beautiful New Family of Three {Edmonds Newborn Photographer}
I am so, so happy we were able to make this session happen at the last minute. This sweet first time mama, contacted me on a Thursday. Baby Luca had already arrived and she wanted a session as soon as possible so that she could have him photographed while he was still tiny and squishy. It’s always a good idea to book your session while you’re still pregnant so that I can guarantee you a spot, but if baby has already arrived, I will try my best to squeeze you in. I missed out on newborn photos with my oldest and I know how devastating that can be. I’d hate for anyone to miss out on the opportunity to capture this special time. Anyway, like I was saying, she reached out to me on the Thursday and thankfully, I had Saturday afternoon open. I’m so pleased it worked out. Little Luca is adorable and he’s surrounded by so much love. Thank you guys for allowing me to photograph your very beautiful love story.
What you Really Need for your Newborn Session {Everett Newborn Photographer}
The best part of a lifestyle newborn session is that we really don’t need a ton of stuff. We can use whatever you have in your house, but some families do choose to purchase some things for their newborn session. Some stuff can be bough locally in and around Seattle, but I’m going to post some links for you to book online. Here are my top recommendations for your lifestyle session.
A plain colored onesie or sleeper
I always recommend that babies are dressed in simple clothing for their newborn session. This keeps the focus on your sweet baby’s face, rather than their clothing. I recommend sleepers from Bonsie Baby. Plain colored onesies from Jamie Kay photograph beautifully.
Muslin Swaddles
Sometimes babies are a little fussy and swaddling them can work wonders, but it’s always nice to have one on hand that photographs well. SpearmintLove has a great selection. I also love the muslin quilts from Brixton Phoenix. They are larger than a typical swaddle so you will get plenty of use out of them.
A place to sleep
Sleepy newborn photos are the sweetest and by placing them in their crib, you really get a sense for how tiny they are.
A comfortable chair
One of my favorite images to take is of the parents rocking the baby in their arms. A comfortable chair is the ideal spot for this.
As you can see, there isn’t really a ton of stuff that you need for your newborn session. I truly believe that a lifestyle session should be all about you, your new baby and your reality. We really don’t need props or anything else to create a beautiful gallery full of images you’re going to love. If you’re ready to book your newborn session, please contact me today.