When is the best time for a family lifestyle session? {Everett family photographer}

Shooting in people’s homes, rather than outdoors gives us so many more opportunities to work around your family’s schedule when it comes to your shoot. Here are some frequently asked questions when it comes to timing of photo sessions.

How far in advance should you schedule?

Although I am occasionally available for last minute shoots, aiming for 4-6 weeks before you want your photo shoot is always the best option.

What is the best time of year for at home lifestyle sessions?

With lifestyle sessions in your home, there is no bad season. The cooler months are great because you don’t need to bundle up to be outside, but the summer is equally great because we can still have your shoot at a decent hour, without having to keep the kids up late for a golden hour shoot.

What time of day should the session take place?

In home sessions can take place at much more reasonable times than outdoor sessions. I typically like to start morning sessions at 10am, or afternoon sessions at 2pm, but I can be flexible to accommodate your schedule.

Raising Boys - Part Two {Seattle Lifestyle Photographer}

The night before Oscar’s surgery, you sat there with that sad, scared look on your face.You were worried that the surgery would change him and your baby brother wouldn’t be the same anymore. You cried and cried, and we reassured you that everything would be okay. I hope you didn’t notice that I was scared too.

Deep down, I knew you were going to be just fine, but handing you over to the surgeon was one of the scariest things I’ve ever done.

You wanted this baby brother for so long and your fascination with him has never faded.

Sometimes you wake up happy. Most times you don’t. You don’t like to be on your own, so the second you realize you are, you cry out for mama to come get you. It normally only takes you a few seconds of seeing me before you’re back to your normally happy self.

I’m looking forward to having your brothers home for the summer. I really do enjoy the long lazy days of summer. No getting up early, no making lunches, nor rushing out the door so that we’re not late for school. As much as I’m looking forward to having everyone home, I think I’ll miss out mornings when it’s just the two of us.

In Search of Newborn Twins {Seattle Lifestyle Photographer}

I’m currently searching for a family who have just welcomed, or are about to welcome newborn twins for a complimentary in home lifestyle photography session.

About You:

You are first time parents of newborn twins and you live in a character filled home with lots of natural light. You appreciate art and take pride in your home. You want family pictures that embrace this fleeting time in your life.

What’s in it for you?

You will receive a complimentary in home lifestyle newborn session and approximately thirty digital images for you to print however you wish.

What do I need from you?

I need about an hour to an hour and a half of your time. In exchange for the complimentary photo session, I will need you to sign a model release that will allow me to use these images on social media, on my website and in print and online advertising.

If you feel like your family would be a good fit, please fill in my contact form and I will get back to you. Tell me a little about your family in your message.

At Home with a Beautiful Family of Four {Seattle Lifestyle Photographer}

Over the years, I have come to adore in home lifestyle sessions. I love them for both family and newborn sessions, but there are so many reasons why I believe you should have an in home newborn session. The first reason is that you never have to leave your house with your tiny newborn. I come to you so that your family can stay where it is most comfortable. The other big reason is that we can capture baby in his or her own environment. We can photograph their nursery. That room that they will be read to and sung to and eventually go to sleep all by themselves in. Another reason is that if there are older siblings, they are often much more comfortable in their own space. They don’t need to be present for the whole session and the chance of them acting up is lower if they are able to go and play with their own toys.

There is so much I love about this lifestyle newborn session. Some of my favorite images are those of big brother playing with his newborn baby sister in her crib. She’s lying there as happy as can be, and he was playing with cars. It was the sweetest thing. These type of images you just can’t get in a studio.

I am always taking newborn sessions on. I love them and find it hard to say no :) So, if you are on the search for a newborn photographer and appreciate my lifestyle approach, I would love to talk to you about documenting these early days for your family. Please reach out and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can.

Photographing Summer {Seattle Family Photographer}

Can you feel that warm breeze in the air? Finally, it feels like summer is almost here in Seattle, and if you’ve been following me for a while, you’ll know that summer is my absolute favorite time of year to photograph my own children. There are many reasons why. I absolutely love the sun and our Seattle summers are full of it. When the kids are out of school, I have way more opportunity to photograph them. Because there is no school, we often let them stay up late which means I can be shooting at sunset, my favorite time for outdoor photos. I love to shoot film and warm sunny days are perfect on film. Summer is a time of vacations, long lazy days and bright colorful clothing which adds some playfulness to images.

Going into summer, I like to write a photography bucket list. I also sit down with my boys and write a summer bucket list, and the two often go hand in hand. For example, if the boys want to fly kites on the beach, then my photography bucket list will include taking images of them flying kites on the beach, but I also add other goals, such as shooting after the sun goes down. Above is my 2019 summer photography bucket list. Please feel free to use it as inspiration. Some things I’ve put on it are literal, others you can use any interpretation you’d like.

A Golden Hour Family Session on the Beach {Seattle Lifestyle Photographer}

It is always such an honor to have the same families come back to me time and time again. I have been honored to photograph this gorgeous family several times, including both pregnancies and both babies as newborns. It’s so fun to be able to watch them grow.

A Motherhood Session on the Beach {Seattle Lifestyle Photographer}

I was so honored to photograph this lovely mama with her two girls. She told me that she had never had professional photos taken with her children and that just before she had seen me advertising my motherhood sessions, she had posted an article on Facebook about how mothers aren’t in enough images with their kids. It is so true. As mothers, we tend to be the photographers in the family. We document their days and become the memory keepers. We are great at snapping images of our spouses but we rarely ask them to do the same for us. Images with our kids are so, so important. We don’t want our kids to look back at their images and wonder where we were all the time. Professional pictures are great and of course, I recommend all mamas to get them, but it’s equally important to make sure you’re having every day moments captured too. Set your camera up on a tripod, or hand your phone off to someone but make sure you’re documenting yourself, as well as them. I hope you enjoy looking through these images of this beautiful family.

A Week of our Lives {Seattle Lifestyle Photographer}

I try to photograph my children daily. As a family lifestyle photographer, photographing my own kids gives me plenty of opportunity to learn and grow as an artist, and at the end of the day, I am left with beautiful memories of their childhood. Here is our last week.

Every night while Daddy is away, I creep into your room and bring you into bed with me. You’re normally the first one up, but this morning you slept past sunrise.

You’re the only one who likes to sleep in. Every morning, we have to wake you with minutes to spare before we leave for school. Not even smoke alarms can wake you. It’s funny how tiny you look when you sleep.

You and Oscar found an old portable DVD player that no longer works, but yet it kept you both entertained for ages. I love seeing you play together but what I love more is that little arm around Oscar’s neck.

I can’t imagine a day when I will tire of taking sleeping photos of you. I don’t know what it is about those little legs in that position, but it gets me every time.

It’s rare to have all three of you relaxing on the couch before school.

The Man Bun. I know it’s not going to last forever so I’ll just enjoy it while it does.

Busted. But you look so cute.

You couldn’t choose, so it’s Vegemite and butter on one side, and Nutella on the other.

Welcoming Baylor {Seattle Newborn Photographer}

It’s no secret that I adore Fresh 48 sessions. That brief hospital stay before they head home and the first milestone is reached. Everything is so new, and life seems to stop still and all that matters is you and that fresh little baby. Fresh 48 sessions require me to be on call, as most mothers only get twenty four hours in the hospital. The time of day and how much notice I’m given will determine what time I will get there. This little boy was less than two hours when I got to meet him. His mama desperately wanted me to film the moments that his three older brothers met him for the first time. It was such an honor to be able to do this for them. His two big brothers were clearly extremely excited to meet him. Their smiles said it all. Number three was still figuring out what was going on, but you know the four of them are going to be best buddies. I’m honored to share these images with you.

When to Schedule Your Lifestyle Newborn Session {Seattle Family Photography}

As a lifestyle newborn photographer, my goal is always to make your newborn photo session go as smoothly as possible. Here are some answers to the most commonly asked questions:

How far in advance should I book my newborn session?

It is always best to book your newborn session when you are still pregnant. Knowing that babies are unpredictable and come when they’re ready, I will only book a certain amount of newborn sessions each month. We will pencil in your due date, and once baby arrives, you can let me know and we will narrow down the best date. Most moms book around the 6 month mark, however, if your baby is already here, please still reach out because I may have some availability.

How old should my baby be when we have the session?

The beauty of lifestyle sessions is that your baby doesn’t have to be sleeping for the session like most posed newborn photographers prefer. Posed photographers like to get babies in for the session in the first ten days as babies tend to sleep more in that time. For a lifestyle newborn session, it doesn’t matter if baby is a few days or a month old. I typically do in home newborn sessions in the first 2-3 weeks, but we can do it anytime in that first month. This is great if you’ve had a difficult recovery or if baby had a rough start.

How long does an in home lifestyle session take?

Sessions are relaxed and I never want you to feel rushed. I am typically at your house for about an hour and a half. If baby needs to take a break then we will do so. I don’t like to rush sessions so if we need longer than that, then I will stay longer.

What time of the day should we have our newborn session?

I will talk to you to best determine the time based on your families needs. Most sessions take place around 10am, but I am flexible if that doesn’t work for your family.

If you have any other questions or are ready to book, please get in touch. I can’t wait to chat with you.