My philosophy around capturing families is simple. Natural, organic looking scenic areas, good light, minimal ‘posing’ and lots of cuddles, hugs, and laughs. As a Mother myself, I know how valuable it is to freeze time while kids are growing and changing so quickly.

The best shoots happen for those that come with a ‘go with the flow’ mentality. Kids will be kids and I want to embrace that, not force them into stiff smiles. Posed and perfect isn't what we’re going for. At the beginning of your session i focus on gathering a few of those “everyone smile and look at the camera'“ photos for you but If you're worried about the kids holding still smiles for the whole session or keeping their clothes clean, I might not be the right photographer for you. I want the in between moments. The messy real family love. Bear hugs and goofy faces.

Let the kids run, let them get their jeans dirty, bring the dogs, bribe them with icecream.
No balloons, no props (unless your truly wanting this for your photos). Nothing formal or stressful. These aren't your Walmart portraits. Forget proper and polished, just have fun.

I can promise you this

I won’t let you feel lost and awkward – you are so safe in my hands

I won’t judge you or hold any expectations of you.

I won’t stop until the job is done.

I will guide you, I will love you, I will play games with you, I will try to win your kids over, I will find the most beautiful light in the most perfect location, I will make you laugh, I will collect precious moments for you that will tell your family’s story.

what can you expect?

No family session takes the same amount of time, because no family is the same. I shoot until I know I have what I need. If it’s just Mom and a young baby in her arms then it might be really quick. But if you’re a family of 5 and toddler number 2 is shy or having an off day, then it’ll take a little patience and time. Generally nothing goes over an hour though. I want it to stay fun and engaging for everyone!

I’ll find us an amazing location and let you know when the magic ‘golden hour’ is on your chosen date. My favourite locations all revolve around where we can find the best light and open space to roam. I’m always on the hunt for new gems and it definitely changes with the seasons.

Sessions come with around 70+ digital images in an online gallery, delivered in an average of 2-3 weeks. You can also expect to see some previews within a few dyas of your session!

 1 Booking

UPON EMAILING/ MESSAGING ME, WE WILL DISCUSS A PERFECT DATE AND TIME THAT WILL WORK OUT BEST FOR US BOTH! THE SESSION AGREEMENT FORM AND A RETAINER FEE NEEDS TO BE SUBMITTED IN ORDER TO OFFICIALLY GET ON THE SCHEDULE. ONCE WE DO THAT, YOU ARE IN AND WE WILL BEGIN THE FUN PART OF PLANNING OUT YOUR SESSION EXPERIENCE TOGETHER! 

2. Client Resources

ONCE YOUR SESSION HAS BEEN SCHEDULED AND I’VE RECEIVED YOUR RETAINER FEE, I WILL DIRECT YOU TO MY CLIENT QUESTIONNAIRE SO THAT I CAN GET TO KNOW YOU ALL BETTER. I WILL GIVE YOU INFORMATION ON MY EXCLUSIVE CLIENT FACEBOOK GROUP. ALSO I HAVE INFORMATION LISTED BELOW TO MY WHAT TO WEAR GUIDE AND SUGGESTED RETAILERS TO CHECK OUT WHILE SHOPPING FOR YOUR SESSION!

3. Planning

THE FIRST STEP IN MY PLANNING PROCESS FOR EACH SESSION IS HAVING YOU FILL OUT MY IN DEPTH CLIENT QUESTIONNAIRE. THIS IS WHERE YOU’LL BE ABLE TO INPUT YOUR THOUGHTS AND IDEAS FOR THE SESSION AS WELL AS TELL ME MORE ABOUT YOU AND/OR YOUR LOVED ONES. ONCE I RECEIVE THIS, I WILL BE ABLE TO SUGGEST SOME OF MY HAND PICKED LOCATIONS (IF OUTDOORS!) AND WILL BEGIN HELPING YOU IN THE STYLING PROCESS. THE MORE YOU TELL ME ABOUT YOUR IDEAS AND STYLE FOR THE SESSION, I’LL BE ABLE TO MAKE UNIQUE SUGGESTIONS BASED OFF OF YOUR ANSWERS! 

4. Session Day

I BELIEVE THAT FOCUSING MORE ON FEELING AND LESS ON POSING CREATES MEANINGFUL AND MOVING IMAGES. DUE TO THIS CORE BELIEF, I’VE COME UP WITH A METHOD OF ‘POSING’ THAT COMBINES DIRECTION AND PROMPTS TO FOSTER AUTHENTIC EMOTIONS AND MAKE SESSIONS MORE ENJOYABLE. MOST SESSIONS LAST APPROXIMATELY 60 MINUTES, BUT SOME MAY LAST LONGER DEPENDING ON THE AGE OF THE CHILDREN AND OTHER VARIOUS FACTORS. MY PHILOSOPHY IS NOT TO LIMIT YOU TO A STRICT TIME FRAME, BUT TO GO WITH THE FLOW AND TAKE AS MUCH TIME AS WE NEED TO CREATE THE IMAGES YOU WANT. 

5. Image Delivery 

REGULAR SESSIONS TAKE UP TO 2-3 WEEKS. ONCE THEY’RE FINISHED, YOU’RE IMAGES WILL THEN BE FULLY HAND-EDITED WITH OUR PROFESSIONAL SOFTWARE. ONCE YOU’RE IMAGES HAVE BEEN EDITED AND ARE READY FOR YOU, YOU WILL BE SENT AN ONLINE GALLERY VIA EMAIL FOR DOWNLOADING YOUR PHOTOS IMMEDIATELY. EVERY COLLECTION COMES WITH PERSONAL USAGE AND PRINTING RIGHTS, SO YOU CAN SHARE WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY ON SOCIAL MEDIA, CREATE BEAUTIFUL ALBUMS TO HAND DOWN TO YOUR CHILDREN AND HANG YOUR MEMORIES PROUDLY ON THE WALLS INSIDE OF YOUR HOME. 

6. Enjoy

THE SESSION MAY BE OVER, BUT THE ONE THING ABOUT PHOTOGRAPHS, IS THEY LAST FOREVER. I ENCOURAGE MY FAMILIES TO CREATE AN ALBUM FOR EVERY SESSION THEY HAVE, AND ENCOURAGE YOUR CHILDREN TO ENJOY AND LOOK THROUGH THEM! CHOOSE A FEW FAVORITES TO FRAME AND HANG ON THE WALLS INSIDE OF YOUR FAMILY’S HOME. THEN, KEEP IN TOUCH UNTIL YOUR NEXT SESSION! I VALUE MY CLIENT’S AND THE RELATIONSHIPS I BUILD WITH THEM AND THEIR FAMILIES. FOR THIS REASON I DO OFFER SPECIAL INCENTIVES AND EVENTS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR THAT YOU’LL HAVE ACCESS TO VIA MY PRIVATE FACEBOOK GROUP. 

LETS TALK ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF LIGHTING!

Lighting is key. It has an influence on just about everything I do to make an image. The best time during the day for outdoor lighting is a half an hour after sunrise and an hour before sunset. Lighting is usually harsh during midday.

What is Golden Hour? This is the magical time roughtly an hour before sunset. It is, without a doubt, my favorite time of day to shoot. When the sun is at a low angle, it provides a magical quality of light that makes photos pop. Since this time is closer to sunset, it helps to diffuse lighting. How this is created is when the sun is at a low angle during  golden hour, sunlight is traveling through more of the atmosphere, which softens and reduces the intensity of direct light.

Morning light is generally soft and doesn’t have as much brightness as the light we see at high noon. It appears warmer in photographs. Keep in mind that the seasons play a crucial function in the intensity of light as well. On a bright day in the summer season the light is very intense and very white. This means that there may well be a lot of contrast in your scenes, such as vivid areas and deep shadows. This might be suitable if you want to include shadowed areas to tell your story.

If we are shooting indoors, I prefer late mornings because that is when homes are usually lit up the best. Making sure there are plenty of natural light sources coming from your windows in your home is key to lifestyle sessions.

what to wear

Working within these suggestions and colours is the best way you can help me deliver something in line with the way I love to shoot. 

If you can, bring multiple options with you and get dressed at the location. That way I can help you decide what will work best given your location and the weather that day. However, I understand that getting young kids dressed can be a workout. If it’s easier, you can also email me photos of wardrobe ideas in advance. I’d love to be involved!

While heels or a fancy dress might look great in a lounge, it’ll look out of place (and unfomfortable) with the types of locations I use.
Keep it casual. 

YES!
neutrals and earthy tones
denim jackets
hats! 
for him - boots or blundstones
for him - a neural t-shirt or a subtle plaid pattern

NO
neons or bright primary colours
( red, royal blue, sunshine yellow, grass green or bubblegum pink )

NO
white shirts for either partner - beige is great, it photographs softer, camo

restricting fabrics (stiff clothing means stiff photos)  
anything with logos or writing
running shoes or sneakers


Sorry, maybe that was blunt. I promise I just want you to have amazing images.

Haven’t filled out our Family Client Questionnaire, click the link below to do so

Education:

Below are some certifications of workshops I have completed through the Photography Academy that I attend. These courses have truly helped me master my skills of capturing true emotions and authentic connections in my photographs. I am so proud of these certifications and all of the hard work that I continue to put into my education for this business.