Let’s Chat.
You probably have already gathered that family photo sessions with me are different than what you might be used to, so here are a few clarifications and explanations.
To answer a few questions:
Timing.
Our session will take long as it needs. I aim for about 90 minutes, but we can take longer or wrap up faster. The end result - a full story told in photos - will be the same. Diaper changes, a pause for snacks or nursing, tiny tantrums, and pulling on little socks all take time. I’m happy to remain flexible and go with the flow, in fact, it’s actually all part of the process.
Clothing.
Wear your clothes.
Obviously, right? But I mean YOUR clothes, the ones you wear every day, not the ones you rushed to order before our shoot in hopes that something will fit or look right. The one thing I ask is that you don’t have writing on your shirts, or pictures on the front of tees. Also, neon doesn’t photograph well. Patterns and textures are fine. These photos, by design, are meant to be casual. Children should be dressed in play clothes that they love. This can be an area of concern for some, especially for someone who has had a baby, so bring this up on our consultation call.
The “every day” is a huge part of my process, so whatever you would wear on a trip to the library is what you should put on.
Usage.
The license for your photos is for personal use only, and I retain the copyright.
If you are using them for any commercial use, including but not limited to on a revenue-generating website / e-commerce site, as an author photo, in a magazine publication, on your social media site as an influencer (typically defined as 10k+ followers), or for a for-profit business, we will need to work out the details in advance with separate licensing, and often a different pay structure. Limitations extend to behind-the-scenes footage as well.
I’m open and well-versed in collaborations like this, we just need to work it out in advance.
Privacy & NDAs.
I’m happy to sign an NDA for notable people or folks with security concerns as needed. I do offer a generous print credit to families as a “thank you” for being featured in my portfolio, but if your privacy is of concern, I do understand and respect that. We can do full or partial, depending on what you’re comfortable with.
For photos where babies and children are more exposed (a traditional bare baby butt photo, for example) I use a high level of protectiveness and discernment.
This is a good place to put that I am a “safe adult” for children. If they wind up in the tub or peeing on the lawn, I am very careful in my actions and words to make sure everyone is feeling safe, even as I’m snapping away. These photos, of course, would only be for you.
For my pregnancy session, can I be naked?
Yes!
Location.
I nearly-exclusively photograph families at home, inside.
We can go outside for part of your session - the yard, the sidewalk, the garden, or your property - but the majority our photos will be indoors. The exception to this is if you have a space in mind that you are completely in control of, that isn’t open to the general public, and that is meaningful to you as a family. Examples are your studio space, your stable with your horses, or your boat.
Traditional Photos.
Yup, I get it. You need “the shot”.
I’m very protective of my image as an artistic photographer and don’t want to take stiff photos of everyone posed “just so”. You’ll never hear me bellow “Look at the camera LOOK AT THE CAMERA!” and I don’t allow it to happen over my shoulder, either. Also, if your baby or toddler is wrestling with an accessory such as a hairbow or hat because they’re just not feeling it, I’m going to ban it from the set. I don’t care how cute it is.
That said, I am very inspired by the clear, organic smiling portraits that serve as a warm “historical record”. This is a corny example, but the ones the British royal family releases each year are a good example of organic and still posed with clear, happy faces. These are the kind of milestone photos I take of my own children, and I strive to get a handful of these in each session, too. It’s not our main focus, but we’ll get some if everyone cooperates.
LGBTQIA.
Queer kids, queer adults… I love ya. All pronouns and gender expressions seen, accepted, and enthusiastically photographed. Come as you are.
Boundaries.
Kindness rules.
You have to be nice to me. You have to be nice to the kids, and you have to be nice to your dog. You can’t call names, or yell at your kids, or berate them, or jokingly yell at your spouse “suck it in honey, you look like a whale!” I would appreciate it greatly if you were also nice to yourself.
Weapons aren’t allowed.
I know different families have different ideals, but my studio doesn’t allow whips, guns, throwing stars, etc. If you want to have a thoughtful conversation about this, I’m open.
Immediately family only. Usually.
Sessions are open to members of the household only. You can’t spilt a single session with your sister’s family, or buy a two-session bundle and have me photograph two families.
That said, if grandma is visiting from overseas, or lives with you, of course she can be in the photos! Please let me know - additional people are at my discretion, and may incur an additional charge. If I arrive on set and the situation is different than we discussed, I may charge additionally, within reason, or even decline the session or part of the session. Open and honest conversations are always welcome.
A few sweet photos with an au pair or beloved nanny are considered part of what I do if they’re part of your family’s day-to-day life.
Clothing changes.
This isn’t a fashion shoot, so I don’t allow multiple “looks”, as it destroys the integrity of the shoot. If a child under 12 wants some photos in a tutu, astronaut costume, or princess dress we can definitely accommodate them at the beginning or end of our shoot. If the baby poops their outfit, sure, we’ll change them, and if you want to end the session with a bath or running in the sprinkler, they can strip down or switch to bathing suits. If you want some pregnancy photos nude and some dressed, let’s do it. But outside of that, we don’t do multiple looks, and everything is discussed beforehand (knowing, of course, that kids are going to be unpredictable!)
Cheerful compliance.
Every adult and teen in the photos are expected to adhere to a standard of “cheerful compliance”. If someone is visibly rolling their eyes at the family photos, complaining, or checking their phones because they can’t pull themselves away from work for 90 minutes, I reserve the right to change the focus of the shoot to the more cheerful members of the family.
If the under-12 set is having a tough time, we’ll work as hard as we possibly can to make it work, up to and including scheduling the shoot for a different day.
The truth is that I will turn myself inside out if I have to for your family session and give my all, and expect the same enthusiasm from everyone in the photos who should know better.
Phones off, y’all.
