Frequently Asked Questions for Family Portraits

What do we wear?

I always recommend to wear clothing you’re comfortable in. Clothing that you can move and play in! That goes for the parents as much as the kiddos. The idea of having a Mama not be able to play with her kids because her dress is too restrictive or precious makes me sad! If your little girl is in a dress make sure you have cutie bloomers or shorts underneath so she can twirl and spin and jump without the worry of underwear or diapers showing.

One good rule to follow is to have Mama in something flowy and patterned ( fabric and clothing styles with movement can add a fun element to photos ) kids in either solid colors or simple patterns like stripes and spots and Dad in solid neutrals. Make note of the different patterns in your outfits and make sure they compliment each other rather than create visual chaos!

What location should we use and at what time?

I shoot all over Orange County as well as Los Angeles ( with a small travel fee ).

One of the most popular choices for my clients is the beach. There’s something about the freedom of an open expanse of sand and rolling waves that brings a special kind of magic to family portraits.

I usually try to shoot at the beach during the last or first hour of daylight of the day. Having said that, the beach isn’t ideal for all families. During the spring and summer months start times can be too late for the youngest members of the family … also some parents just don’t fancy a car full of sand after their session!

If the beach isn’t for you I also have several parks across Orange County that I use including OC Regional Parks for which I have a photo permit for. The parks across Orange County change with the seasons and always have something beautiful to offer. Whether it be a meadow of green grass, wildflowers or fall leaves. Parks are also more flexible in regard to lighting and often work early to mid morning and mid to late afternoon which gives us more options when it comes to scheduling around nap times.

The other option ( which might be my favorite! ) is an in home session. Home sessions are especially ideal for newborn sessions but definitely not limited to families with babies. When you photograph a family at home, you’re not just documenting faces—you’re preserving their world. The couch where everyone piles in for movie night, the kitchen where laughter happens over breakfast, the nursery carefully prepared with love—these spaces tell a story no studio ever could.

There’s also a sense of ease that comes with being at home. Kids feel freer, more themselves. Parents are more relaxed. That comfort shows up in the photos as genuine smiles, soft moments, and real connection instead of stiff poses.

In home sessions can generally be scheduled at any time of day.

How do I wrangle my wild toddler and get my kids to co-operate?

Trusting the process ( and me! ) during a family session with little kids and less-than-thrilled teens, is less about controlling the moment and more about letting it unfold in a natural way.

Start by letting go of the idea that everyone needs to be perfectly behaved or smiling at the same time. Don’t focus on getting the “perfect photo”. During my sessions, I often find the magic comes from interaction, the in between moments when your shy baby is clinging to you while you stroke their hair or when a toddler randomly pokes Dad and makes him laugh.

Some of the best images come from the in-between moments—the giggles after a tickle attack, the quiet reset in a parent’s arms, the chaos that always feels joyful!

At some point during the session I'll capture the attention of everyone and get you all looking towards the camera but it’s best not to fixate on it.

With little kids, follow their energy instead of fighting it. If they want to run, explore, or be silly, that’s your entry point. Tickle them, spin them around, throw them in the air.

With older kids, poke them, give them a kiss on their cheek, whisper something funny in their ear.

I like to keep things moving during a session and tend to let the kids dictate the pace. If sitting on a blanket for longer than 2 minutes at a time is too much that’s fine! You can sit and snuggle for a little while then jump up and play tag then regroup.

Photographing families with little kids is generally chaos but embrace it! What may feel chaotic or uncooperative in the moment often translates into images that feel joyful and genuine.

In the end, these sessions aren’t about getting kids to behave—they’re about capturing your family in the moment they are in. And that, even when it’s messy, is where the beauty lives.

How many images will I receive and when will I get them?

I have two different portrait session options. The 45 minute Mini Session comes with 8 retouched digital images. The Full Session comes with 15 retouched digital images, as well as 3 printed images. ( One 8x12” and two 5x7” prints )

With both sessions, galleries are typically delivered within 2 weeks sometimes a little longer during busier seasons. Once you receive your gallery of approximately 120+ images you then choose your favorite images. If you decide you would like more than the 8 or 15 that come with your package you have the option to purchase additional retouched digital images.

Once you send me your list of favorite images it then takes me another approximately 2 weeks to retouch them.

Rush requests are sometimes available but not always. I am the only employee of this business and sometimes there just aren’t enough hours in the day!

For events a sneak peek will be delivered within 48 hours of your event with the full gallery delivered 2 weeks later.