family session $650
includes:
photographic time for your immediate family
online gallery for sharing, viewing, and downloading images
print-ready digital files
YOUR files, forever, to print, to share, YOURS
a fun time with your favorite people on the planet!
Okay, now a little bit about me and our time together…I have a degree in Early Childhood Education. Yep. I’m a teacher. Taught in private and public schools AND preschool was my absolute favorite! So, I’m extremely comfortable with children of all ages.
I have photographed over 500 families, 250 graduates, can’t remember how many babies, and over 250 weddings.
the only thing you have to do is be yourself. Nothing more, nothing less. And I’ll be me. If I’m photographing your family, just tell everyone I am simply a friend of yours, coming over to hang out a bit.
for family sessions, please do not feel compelled to dress the same. HELLO! No one walks around like that in real life, do they? This is a visual investment and you want to look your best so you will feel your best. Wear clothes that you feel great in! The better you feel the better you will behave and look. Kids as well.
we will have so much fun laughing and spending time together. It’s so much easier than you think!
I’m going to fall in love with you. I always do. Can’t help myself. I simply LOVE people.
The main focus will be on the subject at hand, your family. I want to photograph YOU as naturally as possible. People are beautiful when they are REAL. You know, real moments, real laughter, real hugs. Sure, I will guide you some, but the main purpose is to photograph you connecting, your relationships, and how you are all together. Of course, there will be some "camera-aware" images, because those are important. I get that. But it's the moments in between that are so very precious. THOSE are what I want more than anything. So, relax and let me “worry about the kids”. I’ve done this a few times before and I got this. I truly do.
DIGITAL FILES. I realize in this day and age that the files are important. With all session options, the files are included. They are your images to share with your world. Please do! They also include a print release for personal use, so please, feel free to print your images. Let's get those images off your phone and on your walls! You can print from your digital files or you can place orders directly from your gallery. Many options are available and it can sometimes be overwhelming, so of course, I'm here to help!
All sessions take place in the Lubbock area. For sessions outside the Lubbock area, a travel fee is involved. Gas folks, just gas. Unless you live in Hawaii of course. :) And in that case, just please, please, please take me with you. The session is on me. LOL
Got any questions? So did these peeps. Scroll down to read all about it.
F.A.Q.
Q. 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, or 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 be brought 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.
Q. 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 education? Yep. Teacher certified. That said, I hated the oppressive 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 on engaging your children at 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.
Q. 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
Q. 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 who 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 styles. After all, this is for YOU about YOU, so look like YOU.
Q. Okay, so we can photograph my family, but what about "my bigger family"? No worries. I can handle a BIG family! Large family groupings simply require communication, sometimes drugs, and for sure planning. Okay, kidding about the drugs. Sort of... We can talk ahead of time and you can share everyone's quirks and faults and positive traits. We will also find a place that doesn't require a ton of transportation between locations. We want everyone happy and enjoy each other. I love starting at the "childhood home" or farm and going from there. Brings snacks! And a cooler of beer/drinks.
Q. Family Activities, what should we do? Sitting on the couch is kind of boring. Sometimes a family gets nervous when thinking about “posing for the camera” and the last thing we want is a STRESSFUL 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
a birthday celebration
the main thing is to BE TOGETHER enjoying EACH OTHER!
Q. You got me, I want my family to be photographed by you. What next? GREAT! Simply select an appointment time with the scheduling link above. (scroll up). If you don’t see a time that works for you, reach out!