Session | Family

Family Session  $500

Your session fee includes

• photography time
• online private gallery
• one kick butt wall print 20×24

Got any questions?  So did these peeps.  Scroll down to read all about it.

What is your style ?

I have a casual, more documentary style of photography.  Perhaps a bit laid back?  Maybe?  But my  main goal when photographing your family is to keep it fun.  It should NEVER be painful, uncomfortable, and most of all, it should be YOU.

Okay, stay with me.  You are cleaning out your junk drawer and you come across some photos you tossed in there back in 2001 and you stop and for a moment, you can’t breathe.  It’s that look on your child’s face and expression that melts your heart.  It’s that smile that your husband gives you when he’s seriously enjoying himself.  It’s that belly laugh from your best friend, whatever image it is that you found in that junk drawer, it’s that feeling you get from looking at a long forgotten moment.  A moment that is immediately in your consciousness and heart the second you see that image.  You remember.  You remember the time and place, the conversation, everything about that moment, the still image can bring up in a second.

You swoon.

You get emotional.

You miss that moment.

I LOVE those feelings you get from looking at photographs from moments in your life, moments in your heart.  I want to create those moments in beautiful portraits of your family.  YOUR FAMILY.

My kids are total brats, and I’m scared they won’t sit still.  What should we do?

I LOVE photographing families.  And I love kids!  I have 2 myself.  But did you know I taught preschool and have a college degree in early childhood eduction?  Yep.  Teacher certified. That said, I hated the stifling environment of the classroom for preschoolers and taught my class completely hands on and FUN!  I bring that fun to my family session.  You will find me talking to you and your family a lot, with special attention in engaging your children in the moment.  This is so important to me.

Please allow me to keep them focused on me, rather than being firm with them; I have a few tricks to help kids forget the camera is even there, thus producing more natural expressions and smiles from them. If you have younger children, I may tell some jokes or act silly, with teens, I may pull them off to the side and get to know a bit about them first. I know family portrait-time can be thought of as a stressful time, but I want you to enjoy more than your images, but also the experience of making those images.

I take horrible photographs and hate the idea of posing for the camera.  Why are we doing this?

Then don’t pose.  Seriously.  I hate it, too.  And most folks unless they are in the entertainment industry do not look good posing.  They look fake, and not REAL  They don’t look like themselves.  This is why I gravitate towards the natural posing that families do.  I  may offer posing suggestions as needed, that get you guys started, but once we get in the groove, you enjoying your kids, me enjoying YOU, the rest just happens.   Also, attitude is everything. EVERYTHING.  So, approach this as a fun thing to do with your family.  NO grumps allowed.  And once done, you’ll wonder why you waited so long.

Clothing Suggestions

Please don’t feel the need to match and wear white or all black tops.  YUCH.  This is so 80′s, 90′s, been there, done that sort of thing.  Instead, I highly suggest clothing for each family member that has the same tone, not necessarily color. Please, and this is very important, be wary of stripes, plaid, words and logos on your family’s clothing. These things can be a distraction and I’ll have trouble finding the YOU in your family.

Oh, and bare feet are great for family sessions, but in an open field in west texas, we are asking for tears on a two year old.  So, maybe just comfortable shoes?  HOWEVER, brainstorm!  Look around your home and see what colors you love.  Dress up in what you LOVE, too.  And if you have a temperamental kid that wants to bring his spiderman costume and star wars sword?  LET HIM!  WE can work around this and even work it into the shoot!

Also, keep in mind the finished result and where these images will be displayed.  If you decorate with lots of warm tones, you may want to dress in warm tones.  If you have an eclectic mix and color and style in your home, by all means, dress that way!  Show off your individual styles.    After all, this is for YOU about YOU, so look like YOU.

Family Activities

Sometimes a family gets nervous when thinking about “posing for the camera” and the last thing we want is a STREESFUL session, so many times activities help get the session going.  Here’s a list of things to help you brainstorm what works for your family.

• bowling
• a game of Frisbee or golf
• outdoor activities such as tag or a simple game of catch
• walk to the park
• picnic at the park
• Joyland or amusement park
• a simple bike ride
• attend a sporting event, even one of your child’s

the main thing is to BE TOGETHER enjoying EACH OTHER!

You got me, I want my family to be photographed by you.  What next?

Great!  I book family sessions on Wednesday evenings and sometimes weekends.  Simply CLICK HERE to book your Family Session.