The Joys of Family Lifestyle Photos!

As my children grow older, I have formed such a passion for family photography. I just love being a little piece of peoples lives, being able to capture such precious moments. Since I have transitioned to lifestyle photography, its like a breath of fresh air.

Through the years working at studios, I obviously picked up lots of habits. One of the ones I have been trying very hard to break is moving very quickly during sessions. I have felt so rushed in the past just from having to shoot so many 15 minute sessions at the shoot and burn studios. Lifestyle sessions not only help me slow down, but families as well. They don’t have to be stressed about getting their kids to sit still and smile at the camera the whole time. Kids and parents can just play together, enjoying the time. Not only is it more relaxing but the photos turn out more beautiful! They turn out more heartfelt, I feel parents tend to love them more because they aren’t fake. Fake as in, little Timmy was crying the whole time, everyone was stressed out, we got one good family photo and that’s all I think about when I look at it. Believe me…I have often been there photographing my own kids.

Not only did I have to break the rushy rushness, but I had to break the habit of posing. Letting sessions take their course naturally. Yes, I still guide my families and tweak things but really the most beautiful moments happen on their own, then I find the right angles and lighting to capture them. On this next photo I played peek-a-boo from behind my camera and then Emma played with her little sister. How sweet! When I used to capture strict poses everyone would get stressed and end up telling big sister no (making her disheartened) to get her to get back to looking up. This is so much more fun for the kids, parents and me!

So here I am, feeling refreshed in my art form. I’ve made the determination to find the joy in every session I am a part of. I hope the families I work with can find warmth in these experiences and make picture day a lot more joyous!

Mom said Aubrey has only made blank faces in the photos they have gotten in the past, glad she enjoyed her session!