When families reach out to book a session with me, I can almost always sense a little anxiety behind the emails.
And I get it. There's a lot that goes into planning a family photo shoot. You're coordinating schedules between yourself, your partner, and however many kids you have. You're trying to figure out what everyone should wear. You're getting yourself ready, getting the kids ready, and probably convincing your spouse that yes, this is actually happening.
And then there's the worry that lives rent-free in every parent's head before a session: What if my kids don't cooperate? What if we spend all this time and money and walk away with nothing because someone was grumpy or melted down?
I've seen that stress show up in so many ways. Families arrive with bags full of combs, extra lipstick, backup outfits. There's this frazzled energy, like they're bracing for battle.
But here's what I wish every parent knew before they booked: the whole point of a family photo shoot with me is to have fun.
Not to perform. Not to sit perfectly still. Not to force smiles or get your kids to act like tiny robots.
Just to have fun. To spend time together. To let your kids be exactly who they are.
The Moment Everything Shifts
Every single session, I see the same thing happen.
The family shows up a little frazzled. Hair combed, everyone looking great, but there's this underlying tension. Parents are already mentally preparing to manage their kids, redirect them, apologize if they don't listen.
So one of the first things I do is talk to everyone, especially the kids, and say: We're going to have fun today. There will be moments I want you to look at me, and if you can do that, it makes that part go faster. But mostly? We're just here to have a good time.
And then we start.
I ask the kids about their favorite things. We play music they love and let them dance around. We play games. I follow their lead.
That's when I see the parents start to relax.
They stop worrying about whether their kid is listening. They stop saying "Hey, pay attention." They start actually engaging with their kids and having fun with them.
That's the shift. And it happens almost every time.
Still worried about the kids behaving? I wrote a whole blog post about this: Why Kids Don't Need to Behave for Beautiful Photos in Phoenix
What Makes This Feel Different
A couple of things I do might be a little unconventional, but they make a real difference.
First, I ask parents questions before the session. I want to get to know their kids and their family dynamic. What do they love? What makes them light up? What's their favorite song?
That way, when we're together, I'm not a stranger with a camera. I can connect with their kids because I already know a little about them.
Second, I come prepared and patient. I keep a list of prompts and games we can do during the session, so I'm not scrambling or making it up on the fly. But I'm also completely fine if we veer off course. If a kid needs a minute to do their own thing, that's fine. If they don't want to do something I suggest, also fine.
I tell families at the start: If there's anything I'm asking you to do that you don't want to do, just tell me. You don't have to do it.
That little bit of permission helps families open up and just be themselves.
After the Session: What Happens Next
Once the session wraps, I know everyone's excited. They want to see their photos now.
I totally get it. Because I hand-edit every single image, it does take some time. I give families a four-week timeline for when to expect their gallery. Then I work really hard to beat that, so they get their photos earlier than expected.
For full sessions, I send a sneak peek within 24 to 48 hours. Just one edited photo to show them the beauty of what we captured together. A little something to hold them over.
When the full gallery is ready, I send an email with the link and usually a text too, just to make sure it doesn't get buried in an inbox.
I follow up afterward to make sure everything feels right. The goal is to make families feel supported through the whole process, not just on session day.
The One Thing I Wish Every Parent Knew
The photos I'm trying to capture are about moments and memories, not perfectly posed portraits.
When we lean into the chaos of your life instead of fighting it, everything gets easier. More fun. More meaningful.
I'm not trying to get your toddler to sit still and smile at the camera. I'm trying to capture how they look at you when you're playing together. How they hold your hand. How they laugh when you tickle them.
Those are the photos you'll look back on in ten years and remember exactly how your kid was in that season. Not just how they looked, but who they were.
And that takes all the pressure off. You don't need perfectly behaved kids. You don't need to stress about whether everyone's cooperating.
You just need to show up and be together.
So, What Should You Actually Expect?
Here's what the experience really looks like when you book a session with me:
Before the session: You'll fill out a short questionnaire so I can get to know your family. You'll pick a date and time that works for you, and I'll send guidance on what to wear and how to prepare. No pressure to be perfect. The session prep checklist I put together is a good place to start if you want to feel extra ready.
During the session: We're going to have fun. I'll work with your kids, follow their lead, and create space for everyone to just be themselves. No stiff poses. No forced smiles. Just connection.
After the session: You'll get a thank-you from me and a sneak peek within a couple of days. Then your full edited gallery within four weeks, ready for you to relive all those memories.
When you look at those photos, I hope you see your family exactly as you are. The chaos, the sweetness, the in-between moments that make this season so worth remembering.
Not sure where to have your session? Check out some of my favorite locations for family photos in Phoenix to help you decide.
Because that's what I'm here to capture.
+ view comments . . .