Three Things I Tell My Families Before I Start Taking Pictures

Getting into the right headspace makes all the difference. Life moves fast, and it’s easy to treat family photos as just another item on the to-do list. And in some ways, it is—getting the Christmas cards out, updating the gallery wall so your toddler isn't still a newborn in every frame, or finishing that annual photo book.

By the time you've booked the session, picked the outfits, chosen the location, and managed to get everyone out the door on time—it already feels like a small miracle. But once you arrive at your session, that’s when it’s time to let all of that go. Put down the checklist. Release the stress. Don’t worry about perfect smiles or ideal behavior.

Instead, just be with your people. Soak in their laughter. Notice how small their hands still are. Run around with them. Laugh. Kiss your spouse like you really mean it. Let the moment happen.

My goal? To help you be fully present. That’s why I start every session with a little three-part pep talk—to get us all in the right mindset before I ever start taking pictures.

Part 1: Space of Gratitude

I want your heart to be rooted in gratitude during our time together. Remember—your younger self once dreamed of these days. So pause, breathe it in, and really see it. You and your love created these incredible little humans, and now it’s time to celebrate and capture exactly who they are in this season of life.

When we lead with gratitude, everything shifts. Our mindset softens, our stress lessens, and we stop worrying about the what-ifs—what if someone melts down, what if we don’t get that “perfect” shot. That part? That’s on me.

Your only job is to be. Be here. Be with them. Be present in the beauty and chaos.

Part 2: Let the Kids Lead

First and foremost, my priority is to let your kids be exactly who they are. These sessions are a discipline-free zone—no pressure, no forcing smiles, no stiff poses. Just space for them to be themselves.

We’ll follow their lead, adapting as we go. If something doesn’t click, we’ll shift. No stress, no big deal. The goal is for your children to feel like they're simply having fun with the people they love most—not like they're performing for the camera.

Because that’s when the magic happens—when your kids are free to be silly, sweet, wild, shy… whatever makes them them. That’s what I’m here to capture: their real, beautiful personalities, just as they are in this moment.

Part 3: Lean into Each Other For Comfort

Throughout our time together, I’ll be gently guiding you with prompts and poses—but there may be quiet moments where you find yourself thinking, “What now?” In those pauses, I encourage you to lean into one another. Embrace the way you naturally connect.

Think about how you usually engage with your child—what makes them laugh, what lights them up, the games you love to play. Those small, familiar moments are often the most meaningful.

Feel free to go off-script. This session isn’t about perfectly following a plan—it’s about capturing the heart of your family, just as you are. Your unique connection, your quirks, your love—that’s what makes the photos come alive.

My Hope

My goal in sharing this with you in advance is to put your mind at ease about our time together. You don’t need to show up with everything perfectly in place, and your children definitely don’t need to behave like little angels for us to create beautiful images.

By embracing these three simple mindsets, you’ll create the space for your child to relax and respond naturally—and that’s when we capture the real, meaningful moments that reflect your family’s unique story.

I can’t wait to spend this time with you!