Starting with movement

One of the best ways to help my clients be comfortable in front of the camera (almost everyone feels a litttttle awkward) is by incorporating lots of movement. An easy prompt to start with is having my clients walk away together and walk towards me. Sometimes I will tell my clients to hip bump, have everyone make an animal noise, or even play red light green light- I study my pre-session questionnaire and have the most suitable prompts for my family's personalities and ages.

A group walks along a forest path surrounded by golden fall foliage at sunset.
Silhouettes of hikers walking on a sunlit trail through autumn trees casting long shadows.
Golden sunlight streams through autumn trees onto a winding hiking trail.
A happy dog wearing a brown coat enjoys a walk with companions on an autumn trail.
A group pauses on their autumn hike with their dog wearing a cozy brown jacket.
A family stands together on a hiking trail surrounded by warm autumn colors.
Close-up portrait of smiling faces against a backdrop of fall foliage.
A black and white photo of people walking their dog through a wooded trail.
A candid family moment captured during an autumn hike through the woods.

Updated Sibling Portraits

I have a certain amount of posing combos that I always get- one of the most important being sibling photos and of course individual images of each child. I picture them, all grown up, looking at the images and reminiscing about that phase of their childhood.

Two people sharing a laugh while wearing winter jackets outside on an autumn day.
Three friends sitting on a stone wall surrounded by fall foliage.
Three friends chatting while sitting on a stone wall during golden hour.
Three friends laughing together during an autumn photoshoot outdoors.
Side profile of someone wearing glasses and a brown jacket against autumn trees.
Three friends having a conversation while sitting outdoors in fall weather.
Three friends sharing a laugh while sitting on a stone wall in autumn.
Three people sitting by a lake during sunset in autumn weather.
Someone wearing a blue beanie and denim jacket smiling outdoors in fall.
Close-up of someone wearing a teal beanie and sherpa jacket smiling at the camera.

Incorporate an activity into your family photo session

A fun way to get variety in your gallery AND to have your family enjoy itself is planning an activity, or even a snack. I love when seasonal items like these donuts and apple cider were incorporated. I have the family bring the food and I provide the props- blankets, picnic baskets- I will have it all set up before your arrival into a perfectly curated spot.

A group hiking with their golden retriever through an autumn forest trail.
People and a dog gathering on a blanket in a hillside clearing surrounded by fall foliage.
Friends enjoying a picnic on a blanket near a stone wall during autumn.
A golden retriever and people sharing snacks during an outdoor gathering.
Small group having a picnic on a blanket against stone wall with fall colors in background.
Tall pine trees and stone wall silhouetted against setting sun in autumn landscape.
Friends and a golden retriever sharing an outdoor picnic on a grassy hillside.

Couples Photos during your session

I will ALWAYS ask mom and dad if they want to have photos inter session. So many couples will tell me that these are the first images of them as a couple SINCE THEIR WEDDING (not ok!!!!!). It gives the kiddos a break too, which is a bonus.

Group enjoying autumn sunset picnic by stone wall with golden retriever.
Couple sharing intimate moment on picnic blanket surrounded by fall foliage.
Couple with golden retriever enjoying autumn picnic outdoors.
A couple sharing a candid laugh together in black and white against a stone wall background.
Couple in cozy sweaters sitting on a blanket having an intimate moment during autumn.
Happy couple in matching sweaters sharing genuine laughter during fall photoshoot.
Couple in sweaters sits together enjoying autumn foliage by stone wall.
Couple sits with their golden retriever on stone ledge surrounded by fall colors.
Artistic shadow shot of couple with dog against stone wall background.
Atmospheric sunset silhouette with warm tones and soft focus.

Looking as your family photoshoot as quality time

One of the BEST things you can do, is not to look at your photoshoot as only a photoshoot. This is special and intentional time as a family. I encourage my clients to think of their shoot and creating a time capsule to look back on many years down the road. The best thing you can do is just be yourself and stay as relaxed as possible. Leave the phones in the car and really, really focus on your family. Life goes by so fast and we are all so busy- we need moments where we really savor the stage we are in. I am here to help you do that and to also have priceless photos to walk away with.

Person in orange coat stands by rustic railing amid vibrant fall foliage.
Three people sit together on stone wall overlooking autumn forest.
Family walking dog along autumn path with golden leaves and stone wall.
A golden retriever sits beside a couple enjoying an autumn view on a hillside at sunset.
People hiking through a forest trail illuminated by golden autumn sunlight.
Two silhouettes walking across a grassy hilltop in black and white photography.
Two people embrace while watching the autumn sunset in a field with orange foliage.
Silhouettes of a family and their dog standing on a hill against a dusky sky.
Person in an orange coat walking through a golden autumn field at sunset.
Family silhouettes with their dog gathered on a hilltop during golden hour sunset.

Getting Creative

We had finished the session and this family still wanted to go to a look out point at the park. I decided to tag along and see how I would be inspired. These images turned out to be my favorites of the session. There is something about them that evokes whimsy to me.

Silhouette of someone watching the sunset from an observation deck railing.
Moody black and white photo of someone watching distant figures through fog.
Person in a brown hoodie photographing birds during sunset.
Person in brown coat using professional camera equipment against blue sky.
Silhouetted photographer capturing the full moon from stone wall at dusk.