Winter Wonderland: Why In-Home Family Photography Sessions Shine During the Cold Months

As the snowflakes fall and the fireplace crackles, winter brings a unique charm to our homes. It's a season of coziness, connection, and love. And what better way to capture that magic than with an in-home family photography session?

Benefits of Winter In-Home Sessions

1. Cozy Atmosphere: Your home is already filled with warmth and character. Let's harness that coziness to create authentic, inviting photos.

2. Golden Light: Soft, natural light streams through your windows, casting a beautiful glow on your family.

3. Intimate Moments: Winter's chill encourages snuggles, hot chocolate, and quality time. I'll capture these tender moments, preserving your family's love.

4. No Outdoor Worries: Forget about bundling up or worrying about the weather. Relax in your own space, and let me work my magic.

5. Slow Down and Cherish: Winter's pace is slower. Embrace this season's tranquility, and let's create beautiful memories.

What to Expect

- A relaxed, lifestyle photography approach that feels like a warm hug

- Guidance on how to prepare your home for a stress-free session

- Capturing genuine moments, laughter, and love

- Beautiful, timeless photos to treasure

Book Your Winter Wonderland Session Don't let the cold weather keep you from preserving your family's love.

Schedule your in-home family photography session today and:

- Secure your preferred date and time

- Enjoy a stress-free, cozy experience

- Receive stunning photos perfect for holiday gifts, cards, or simply cherishing

Seattle In-Home Family Photography | Winter Sessions

Contact me to book your session and let's create winter wonderland memories that will warm your heart for years to come.

The Magic of Fall Family Photo Sessions: Why Booking Early Matters

Hey there, mama! As the leaves start to turn and the air grows crisper, I know what's on your mind: Fall family photo sessions! There's something special about capturing your family's love and connection during this cozy season. But, let's get real – Fall is a popular time for family photos, and booking early is crucial to securing your spot.

So, why are Fall family photo sessions so popular? Here are a few reasons:

- Golden light: The soft, warm glow of Fall's golden hour is simply irresistible. It adds a magical touch to your family photos, making them feel cozy and inviting.

- Cozy atmosphere: Fall is all about snuggling up and getting cozy. Your family photos will reflect that warmth and love, capturing the true essence of your relationships.

- Seasonal charm: From pumpkins to leaves, Fall offers a picturesque backdrop for your family photos. It's the perfect time to incorporate seasonal elements that will make your photos feel extra special.

Now, about booking early... As a lifestyle family photographer, my schedule fills up quickly during the Fall season. By booking early, you ensure that:

- You secure your preferred date and time

- We can plan a session that fits your family's style and needs

- You'll receive your photos in time for holiday gifts and cards Don't miss out on the chance to capture your family's love and connection during this beautiful season.

Book your Fall family photo session now, and let's create some magic together!

Why Spring is a great time for family photos

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 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.

Is Spring a Good Time for a Family Photo Session?

Spring is a wonderful season to have your family photography session here in Seattle. So many people believe that Fall is the best time, and while it is beautiful, here are my top reasons why I think you should try having your family photos done in Spring over the other seasons:

The sun sets at a more reasonable time

The sun in Seattle sets so late in the summer, meaning that your kids have to be kept up late. Kids typically handle it fine, but if you’d rather not keep them up so late, a Spring session may be just what you’re looking for.

The weather is normally nice, but not too hot or cold

Last year, I did back to back family sessions on the hottest day of the year in King County. Not only was I sweating, but so were my families. In Spring, you can wear a cute dress and bring a pretty cardigan if you need an extra layer. You will have more fun during your session if you’re not sweating or freezing.

Your photographer won’t be completely booked up

Everyone wants family photos in the Fall, but the Spring isn’t as popular. The chance of getting the date you want is higher if you book your family photo session in the Spring. Which brings me to my next point:

If it does rain, you’ll have more chance of getting a new date sooner rather than later

Almost all photographers are booked solid in the Fall, but if you have your photography session in the Spring and you need to reschedule, your photographer likely has much more availability.

High chance of flowers

I’m never going to promise flowers with the unpredictable weather patterns we have in Seattle, but if you love flowers, Spring might be the best option for your session.

I would be so honored to photograph your family this spring. Please take a look at my portfolio and if you think we’d be a great match, let me know!

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.

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.