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!

Why Lifestyle Photography?

How I Became a Lifestyle Photographer

When I first started photography, I used to scroll Pinterest and Instagram looking for the perfect poses, the ones that I thought everyone wanted and expected. I would nervously show up to family sessions with a mental list of every pose I thought I had to get. I would leave a photography session either with pride that I had captured what I needed, or I’d be kicking myself for not getting everything on my list. I ran my photography business like this for a while and to be honest, it was exhausting. Family and newborn sessions stressed me out, but photographing my own family was a completely different story.

In January of 2015, I did a workshop all about lifestyle photography. It changed the way I photographed my children. Instead of stressing about them being perfectly dressed and perfectly posed, I started to photograph them exactly as they were, and not only did I see a huge improvement in my photography, but I started to love and treasure the moments I was capturing for my family. Below is the first photo I took during that workshop. Nothing amazing, just a quiet moment captured in an unposed and natural way.

I felt happy with my personal work but I was still trying to be a “perfect” photographer when it came to my family and newborn sessions. I knew there was a huge disconnect there but I didn’t quite see what it was. Slowly, after lots of workshops, a ton of photography sessions, and a whole lot of soul searching, I realized that I needed to relax more when I photographed families and newborns. I needed to forget about perfection and focus on the love and connection between family members. Once that happened, my whole approach to family sessions changed and I was able to start enjoying paid sessions as much as my personal shooting. Still photographing outdoors at beaches and fields, I was happy with the direction my photography was moving, but there was something missing. I realized how much I enjoyed in home lifestyle sessions. I noticed how much personality was in a family’s home and how much more comfortable the kids (and often the parents) were in their own space. I saw the beauty in a family’s space and felt like I needed to show a family the beauty that I see in them. Back in 2018, I nervously made the decision to switch over to a mainly in home lifestyle business model (don’t worry, I still do a handful of outdoor family sessions in the warmer months). I posted a couple of model calls for in home sessions to build my portfolio, and announced on social media that I was making the switch. I felt like I was going to lose a ton of families, but the response has been better than I could have imagined. People seem to have realized the benefit of not trekking for ages to get to an epic location, they realized that there is so much beauty in their every day and that it should be celebrated. They’ve realized that there is no better backdrop than the four walls in which they are most comfortable.

I have lots of resources if you’d like to learn more about an in home photography session like when is the best time or why I think you should have an in home session.

My Top Tips for Traveling to a Warm Weather Destination with your Family

Spring Break is almost here!

Yes, I know I’m a photographer and that is what I’m best at, but if there’s anything I love as much as I love photography, it’s traveling with my family. As many of my photography clients are gearing up for Spring Break, I’d like to share my top tips for traveling to your warm weather destination.

Tip One - Take the overnight flight

Yes, I know, there are many who will disagree with me but overnight flights are the way to go for our family. All four of my kids sleep better on the plane than they do at home and it allows us to arrive to our destination in time to change, take a quick swim, have an early dinner, go to bed at a reasonable hour, then wake up refreshed and ready to go on the first full day of vacation.

Tip Two - Take a portable clothesline:

When you’re heading somewhere warm, you’re more than likely going to be wearing a lot of swimsuits. We travel with a portable clothesline that we set up on our balcony to dry the swimsuits so the kids always have a dry one available.

Tip Three - Go for the All Inclusive

All Inclusives are fantastic for families. Got a picky eater? Order something new if they don’t like the first option. Got a foodie? No need to worry about them ordering the most expensive item on the menu. You can let them try new things. On our last trip to the DR, my kids discovered virgin pina coladas. An all inclusive resort is a great place to try new foods and drinks.

Tip Four - Don’t Pack too much into your Vacation

Heading to a tropical destination normally involves a whole lot of pool/beach time and relaxation time. We try to limit the amount of excursions to two for each week of vacation. This allows you to still get out and explore a new place, but it also gives you plenty of time to relax and enjoy taking a breather.

Tip Five - Travel with Carry On Only

When you’re heading somewhere warm, this is an easy one. You don’t need to carry winter coats or boots so you should be able to fit everything in your carry on. We have our kids take a carry on each and we will split the baby’s stuff between all of our luggage. For a week each kid packs two swimsuits, two pairs of shorts, two t-shirts, one pair of nice pants and a polo (for fancy dinners), a hoodie, and two pairs of pajamas.

When should I have my family photos taken?

If you’re thinking about having a family photography session, you may be wondering when the best time to have one is. The answers will depend on where you live. This blog is going to be about when to have family photos taken in the greater Seattle area. This will also apply to the majority of towns in western Washington. I believe that there is no wrong time for family photos so I’m not going to say I prefer one time of year over another, but hopefully this will help you decide what works best for your family.

What time of year should I have my family photos done in Seattle?

We all know that Seattle weather can be cold, rainy and gray. If you want your family session done at your house, then we never have to worry about rainy days. Winter is the perfect time for a cozy, snuggly in-home photography session. However, if you want your session outdoors, it’s probably best to avoid having family photos done in November through March. Spring is a great time for family photos as the weather has normally started to improve, and sunset (the best time for family photos) isn’t too late. In summer, we’re most likely to get that beautiful golden hour light, however, in Seattle sunset in the summer is pretty late. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do it, just that you may want to make plans to make it easier if you have little kids. Take a look at some tips on late sessions with young children. Everyone loves Fall images! It’s the busiest time of year for most photographers. Sunset isn’t too late, autumn light is beautiful and flattering and the leaves are such beautiful colors. Fall does fill up quickly so if you want a fall family session, you’ll want to schedule it early.

What time of day should I have my family photo session?

This will depend on whether your family photos are scheduled to take place at home or outdoors. If your session will be at home, I recommend starting at 10am. By this time, the sun won’t be directly above the house so you’ll be getting light coming in through the windows. If you have little kids, they’re normally happiest at well rested by mid-morning. If your family photo session is taking place outdoors, the best light is in the hour before sunset, commonly known as “the golden hour”. This is the prettiest and most flattering light. Obviously, the actual time will depend on the time of year. As mentioned above, it can be difficult for young children but it’s certainly doable.

Once you’ve decided what time of year you’d like your family photos, let’s get you officially scheduled. I can’t wait to meet you!

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.

How Should I Dress My Baby for a Newborn Photo Shoot

Now that you’ve booked your newborn photography session, you may be wondering how to dress baby. Here are some of my top ideas for baby’s outfit.

A plain colored sleeper:

If you want to keep it simple, a plain colored sleeper is perfect. These are great for the colder months as baby will stay warm and comfortable. I adore Bonsie Baby. They have a great range of colors and the front opening makes them fantastic for skin to skin. I used these for my youngest baby and highly recommend them for every day wear as well as for your newborn session. Colors that photograph well include oat, peony, fog, and avocado.

A plain colored onesie:

For your summer babies, you may want to dress them in a plain onesie. You can pick these up almost anywhere. Pinks, greys, light blues, and creams are all beautiful options for newborn pictures.

If you want something a little more fancy:

I absolutely love the clothes from Jamie Kay. They have the cutest little bloomers and onesies, as well as knit overalls and cardigans. If you are doing an outfit like this for your newborn photos, it’s really important to make sure it fits your baby well and isn’t oversized. When outfits are too big, they can take swallow the baby. We still want your beautiful baby to be the focus during your photography session.

You should have a swaddle on hand for your baby’s session

I personally love the quilts from Brixton Phoenix. The are larger than a typical swaddle and there are many beautiful prints.

Keep your home colors in mind while dressing baby:

If you’re going to display your photos fro m your newborn session (and you should), you’ll want to keep your home’s decor in mind. This is why neutrals are so great.

The most important thing is to keep in simple. You baby is so beautiful, more beautiful than any outfit so let’s focus on that sweet face, rather than what they’re wearing.

Can a newborn session be held outdoors?

While the majority of newborn session are held at home, every now and then I have someone ask if we can do their newborn session outdoors. At the end of the day, they’re your photos and I want you to love them so if that’s what you desire, then that’s what we’ll do. There are some things to keep in mind though:

The weather

Little babies can’t regulate their temperature so shooting outdoors at any time other than summer is probably going to be too cold for them. If you do wish to have an outdoor newborn session in the cooler months, you’ll just want to make sure baby is well wrapped up.

Time of day

The best lighting for outdoor sessions is the hour before sunset. If your session is in summer, this could be quite late. If staying up until sunset isn’t feasible for your family, we will need to find a place that offers shade.

Have a helper

This isn’t so necessary if you just have the one baby, but if you have a toddler or two, it could be helpful to have an extra pair of helping hands. Since you’re recovering from childbirth, you won’t be able to move or chase toddlers as quickly as you used to.

Bring a swaddle or blanket with you in case of wind

It’s always handy to have an extra blanket in case of cold/wind. This will help baby feel comfortable.

Consider wearing something nursing friendly

If you are nursing, you want to make sure your outfit is easy to nurse in.

As for any session, try on your outfits before the session day

There is nothing more stressful than putting on your outfits and discovering they don’t fit. Please make sure you try on outfits on the day to eliminate any stress on session day.

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.

Should I have a fresh 48 session or an at home newborn session?

Now that photographers are allowed back into hospitals, you may be wondering whether you should have a Fresh 48 session or an at home newborn session. Both options have benefits. Here is what I love about each option:

Fresh 48 Sessions

Fresh 48 sessions take place in the hospital, in the first day or two after baby’s arrival.

1. Little details you’ll find only in the hospital can be captured such as, the hospital bracelets, the plastic bassinet, the little hat.

2. There are so many little things that only a tiny baby has that can be photographed like the umbilical cord stump and flakey feet.

3. You don’t need to do anything special for your session, no cleaning up, no special outfits. I’ll photograph you exactly how you are.

4. Fresh 48 sessions are quick. With all that is going on in the hospital, I can be in and out with all the necessary images in no more than thirty minutes.

5. The time spent in the hospital is so special but fleeting. A photo session is the perfect way to remember what life was like those first few hours of babies life.

In home newborn session:

Newborn lifestyle sessions can take place at your home any time in the first month of baby’s life:

1. By waiting a week or two after baby’s birth, mothers often feel more put together and ready for photos.

2. We can incorporate spaces you’ve put so much time and energy into, such as the nursery.

3. Baby’s are still tiny and will often sleep for the majority of the session so you can still get sleepy images (most of the time), just like a Fresh 48 session.

4. If there are siblings, they can be involved. Pets are also welcome!

5. Everyone is relaxed and comfortable in their own home.

Still can’t decide? How about both! A Fresh 48 + newborn bundle is $1,275.00. A $350 retainer is required to book with the remainder being split into two payments due at the time of the sessions. Any questions? Send me a message.