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.

When is the Best Time for an In-Home Photography Session?

If you’ve decided that you want your family photography session at home, you may be wondering when the best time is. There are a few things to keep in mind:

Lighting

Lighting in your home is going to depend on the time of year. I typically like to avoid midday as the sun is often right above the home and not coming in through the windows. I find that a 10am or 2pm starting time are often the best times for your photography session.\

Nap times

If your little one(s) are still nappers, we will avoid naptime so that they are happy and well rested for their session.

Meal times

Like nap time, it’s best to avoid meal time for your session too. You don’t want growling little tummies, messy faces, and grumpy kids. I recommend feeding them before I arrive.

The length of the session

In home sessions typically last one to one and a half hours. It pays to keep that in mind when planning around your children’s schedules.

What is the best age for a newborn photo session?

One thing I love about lifestyle newborn photography is that we can do a session any time in the first month or two. A session with a month old baby wouldn’t really look much different to a session with a 6 day old baby, however each age will have it’s benefits. Here are some reasons why you’ll want your newborn session in the first two weeks:

Baby will be more sleepy

While I don’t think babies have to be sleeping for their newborn session, a sleepy baby normally means a calm baby and a session that moves along quickly.

Baby will have more of the newborn look

Little details of a newborn disappear so quickly such as flakey feet, and the umbilical cord stump. If you want these little details documented, the earlier your session is, the better.

Baby acne hasn’t kicked in

Most babies start developing baby acne around the one month mark. This can be edited out so don’t worry if your baby has baby acne, but it may be something to think about if you’re not sure when you would like your newborn session to take place.

There are also some advantages to having your newborn session a little later:

Mom has had a little longer to recover from the birth

Some moms need a little longer to get ready for a newborn session. By delaying your session until week 5, 6, or even longer you may feel a little more on top of things.

You’ll have more time to figure out outfits

While some people have all the details sorted before baby’s birth, by having a newborn session a little later, you can take your time planning outfits.

Jaundice is not normally an issue

Some babies can look pretty yellow those first few days. An older newborn has normally passed the jaundiced stage.

As you can see, there are advantages to either age so it is really up to you and what works best for your family. I’m happy to chat with you more about the best time for your newborn session.

Is Three Weeks Too Old for a Newborn Session? {Seattle Newborn Photographer}

Your baby has finally arrived and the last few weeks have been a whirlwind full of love, wonder, and exhaustion. The dust is starting to settle and you suddenly realize that your baby is changing by the day and you never booked a newborn session. You might be wondering if it’s too late. Good news! It’s not!

While I always recommend booking your newborn photography session while you’re still pregnant, the good news is that I am almost always able to squeeze families in last minute. I missed out on newborn photos with my oldest, and almost 12 years later, I still regret it. I would hate that to happen to you. The best part about lifestyle newborn photography is that it doesn’t matter if your baby is 3, 4, or even 5 weeks old. I will photograph them the exact same way as I would photograph a 6 day old. You may find that your baby doesn’t sleep as soundly as they did when they were a tiny newborn, however, I’ve found that the majority of older newborns will fall asleep at some point during the session, If you want to increase the odds of your baby sleeping for some sweet sleepy images, I recommend a tight swaddle and a warm house. You may also find that your baby has developed some baby acne around the month old mark. If that’s the case, I can edit it out, or leave it if you prefer it to be an accurate representation of how they looked at the time. Other than that, I will photograph your baby just the same as I would have if you had booked your session a few weeks earlier. If your baby is already here and you’d like to get a newborn session scheduled, please reach out. I would be honored to photograph your family.

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.

When is the Best Time for a Sleepy Newborn Photography Session {Seattle Lifestyle Photographer}

Tips for a Sleepy Newborn

If you’re about to welcome a new little baby into your lives, you may be wondering when the best time to have your newborn session is. I believe that newborns of any age deserve a newborn session, in fact, I often photograph three or four month old babies, the exact same way I photograph week old babies. There is however a golden spot if you’re wanting images of your baby sleeping. I will never guarantee a baby will sleep but we can increase the chances of it by photographing baby in the first two weeks of life. In my 11 years or so of photographing newborns, I have noticed that babies aged between 6-8 days almost always sleep throughout their whole session.

Book your session for as early as possible:

I’m never going to guarantee a sleeping baby. I’m not a posed newborn photographer and an awake baby is just as beautiful as a sleeping baby, however, the earlier your session, the sleepier the baby normally is.

Keep your house nice and warm

Don’t worry, you can turn the heat down once I leave!

Swaddle your baby

I have a magic little swaddle that works wonders and can be used underneath your own blankets. It’s pretty amazing at getting babies off to dreamland quickly.

Make sure baby has a nice, full belly

Whether your breast or bottle feeding. you’ll want to try to get baby’s belly nice and full. Don’t worry, we will take plenty of feeding breaks if baby needs them.

Change diapers, clothes etc before baby drifts off to sleep

If baby falls asleep before they’re in the outfit you want them in for their session, we may end up waking them too soon. Try to have them in their outfit before the feeding and swaddling begin.

If you’re ready to schedule your newborn session, please get in touch. I would love to photograph your family!

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.

Why You Should Have an In Home Family Session {Seattle Lifestyle Photographer}I ma

I make no secret that in home sessions are my absolute favorite, but there seems to be a common misconception that in home sessions are for newborns only. There are lots of reasons why a family may opt for an in home sessions that I’d like to share with you today.

1. The weather in Seattle can be challenging, particularly over the cooler months. It often feels like it rains from October through to May. This can be a nightmare for rescheduling. If you have an in home photography session, there is no need to reschedule if the weather isn’t great. Not only does it not matter if it’s raining, it also doesn’t matter if it’s freezing cold outside. You’ll be toasty and warm in the comfort of your own home.

2. No shoes needed. That’s all.

3. Kids are more comfortable in their own home.

4. In the summer, the hour before sunset (the best time to shoot outdoors) is incredibly late which means keeping kids up past their bedtime. The best time for in home sessions is mid morning or mid afternoon.

5. Your home helps to tell your story. There are things in your home that are meaningful. You can’t find that on a beach or an open field.

6. An outdoor location can add a lot of time onto your session, depending on the location chosen. Many locations are a good 30-60 minutes away, adding on up to two hours to your session. With in an home session, there’s no travel time!

7. In home family sessions feel cozy, warm and intimate. I believe they’re the best way to capture your family’s love story.

A Final Farewell to A Beautiful Home {Everett Lifestyle Photographer}

I make no secret that my absolute favorite sessions occur inside your home. I was so honored when our friends and neighbors asked me to come photograph them inside their beautiful Northwest Everett home before they packed up and moved out of state. They have created this gorgeous home together and have had so many amazing memories in it. Children have been born here, they’ve had first days of school, birthday parties, first steps, lazy Saturday mornings, PTA meetings, renovations but mostly, there’s been a whole lot of love in these four walls.

A Chilly but Fun Outdoor Family Session {Edmonds Lifestyle Photographer}

I don’t do too many outdoor family sessions. Most of mine are in home lifestyle sessions, but I do love when I have a fun and playful outdoor one. These two little two year olds were so awesome to photogaphy. They were snuggly and playful and managed the cold evening like troopers. I adore this session.