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!

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 Celebrate the Whole Family During a Newborn Photography Session {Newborn Photographer Kirkland}

I love photographing all family members during a newborn photography session. While the main focus is always on the newborn baby, I strongly believe that when a baby arrives, all family members have a new role to play and those new roles should be celebrated. A former mom of two becomes a new mom of three. Same goes for the dad. An older sister now has two new little siblings. And the former youngest sibling is now a big sibling for the first time.

Some of my favorite images to take at newborn sessions include:

The big siblings looking at their newborn baby in the crib

This is one of my favorite ways to photograph sibling pictures. This works especially well for older siblings who aren’t quite old enough to hold the baby.

Each parent with all their kids

It’s a huge deal to become a parent of multiple children. Capturing each parent with all their kids, whether it’s two kids or six kids, is a beautiful way to celebrate them and their children.

Siblings all on the main bed together

This is another great image that works particularly well for siblings that aren’t old enough to hold the baby.

Parents together with baby

Whole family images are so important but I always think it’s nice to get one or two images with the parents with just the new baby.

Each parent alone with the new baby

They probably have a ton of images with their oldest alone so this new baby should get that too!

If siblings are old enough, images holding the baby

If there is a bigger age gap and the parents are happy for the siblings to hold the baby, then I love to photograph the newborn in the arms of the parents.

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 Lifestyle Newborn Session {Seattle Newborn Photographer}

Those first few days when you welcome your newborn can be hectic. You’re tired, your older kids are adjusting to having a new little baby in the house, you’re getting to know your new little person, and you’re recovering from birth. The last thing I, as your photographer, want to do is put more stress on you by having you leave your home and come to me for your newborn photo session. Here in Seattle, if you have your baby any time other than summer, it’s probably going to be chilly out so there’s no better way to do your photo session than snuggling up with your little family and staying at home.

Children are more comfortable in their own home

If you have older kids, they’re already adjusting to a new sibling. It’s always best to keep them in the environment they already know and love.

You don’t need to take your new baby out in the cold

No need to bundle your precious little baby up and take them out in bad weather during cold and flu season.

Your home is an extension of yourself

That nursery you’ve spent so much time and energy on, let’s use that as the backdrop to your newborn’s photos.

You don’t even need to put on shoes

I don’t know why this is always such a big selling point for me, but I’m always happiest barefoot and I’m sure you are too!

Is a Fresh 48 Session Right for You? {Seattle Newborn Photographer}

I’m so excited that after a two year hiatus, Fresh 48 sessions are coming back. They are some of my very favorite sessions and I absolutely love photographing this special time in your lives. Fresh 48 sessions are a relatively new concept. They are designed to document that very beautiful but fleeting time in the hospital over the first day or two after your baby’s birth. Fresh 48 sessions are raw, intimate and cozy and will serve as a beautiful memory of what life was like when your baby was fresh.

What is needed for a Fresh 48 session?

I honestly don’t think you need anything special. I love to use the gear the hospital provides. They use that little hat, blanket, and bassinet for such a short time and I think it’s important to document it. You can always bring you own swaddles or outfit if you wish but with so much already going on, I don’t want you to stress about extra stuff.

How long to Fresh 48 sessions last?

I try to keep Fresh 48 sessions as quick as possible. There is so many people coming and going from your hospital room and I never want to get in the way of anyone. I keep sessions to about half and hour and we always end up with a varied and full gallery in this short amount of time.

How do you book a Fresh 48 if baby’s arrival is unpredictable?

I book Fresh 48 sessions the same way I book newborn sessions. By paying the retainer, you are guaranteeing a spot on my schedule. Since most mamas only get 24-48 hours in the hospital, I ask that you send me a quick text or email with any updates (induction dates, c section dates, once you’re headed to the hospital etc). Once baby arrives you, or your support person should reach out to me as soon as possible and we will then decide on a time for me to come to the hospital.

What I’m doing to keep baby safe:

I am fully vaccinated and up to date on all vaccines including:

Covid 19

Influenza

TDaP

I will be wearing a mask to all Fresh 48 and in home newborn sessions. My oldest child caught RSV as an infant and I believe it’s so important to do what I can to prevent spreading any germs.
I will use hand sanitizer when entering your room and I won’t handle your baby.

What’s happening with visitors in hospitals?

Most hospitals in the greater Seattle area are now open to visitors. You will want to double check with your hospital to make sure visitors are allowed.

What is included with a Fresh 48 session?

Fresh 48 sessions include forty digital images for you to share and print as you wish. If you want a Fresh 48 session on it’s own, the price is $650 with a $150 retainer required at the time of booking. If you wish to book a newborn session too, the package deal is $1,175 with $300 due at booking. You will also receive high quality 4x6 prints of every image in your gallery as a gift.

Are you ready to schedule your Fresh 48 session? Please reach out to me so we can get you on the calendar!

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.

Why You Don't Need a Giant Home for an In Home Family or Newborn Session {Seattle Family Photographer}

It’s a common misconception that people who have in home family or newborn photography session have giant, light filled homes. While I think families with large, light and airy homes should have their family or newborn session in their home, I want you to know that you definitely don’t need that to have a beautiful in home session. Often in Seattle and surrounding areas, homes are older, smaller and don’t have great light. When you pair that with the number of dark and dreary days we have, more often that not, my photography sessions end up being in darker homes. If you do have a more spacious home, then we will definitely showcase it in your photos, however, if your home is small and dark and you’re not sure if it will photograph well, then this is the post for you! I am going to share with you a session that we did in one small corner of the house. This beautiful family had just moved into their house and as a result, they were still unpacking and hadn’t begun to decorate. We went ahead with their newborn session when their baby was 8 days old and I reassured them that all I need is one or two good windows to make the magic happen. When I arrived, I was taken on a quick tour of the house. I saw this little corner and knew that it would be my spot. We did have to clear it out a little bit (remember, they just moved AND had a new baby) but it was the perfect corner to do almost the whole session. Disclaimer, we did move outside for a few images but I'd say a good eighty percent of their session was done in this small space. I hope when you see this newborn session, that you realize that no matter the size of your home, that we can totally do a session in it. Family and newborn sessions are all about the love and connection you have with one another, and although many people love to use their home as the backdrop to their family photos, the focus is always on the family itself. Your home is the place where your family is most comfortable so it makes sense to have your session there. Are you ready to create your own cozy and heartfelt family love story? Reach out today! I’d love to get you on my calendar!