Capturing Life’s Moments: Your Family Photography Journey

It breaks my heart when a family gets in front of my camera and tells me it’s been years since they’ve had a family photography session. As a mom of 2 boys, I know firsthand how fast things change and how much they grow, and I can’t imagine not having photos of all four of us + our two pups in one frame.

While your phone is perfect for catching everyday smiles, there’s something magical about stepping in front of my camera and letting me create artwork from your family’s story with everyone represented.

Here’s what I recommend when it comes to family photography based on my 15 years of experience as a photographer, wife, daughter, and mother.

For Couples: Every 2 Years

I’ve photographed couples who realized their last professional photos were from their wedding day—sometimes 10+ years earlier! Life moves quickly, and those in between chapters deserve documentation too:

1. The way you look at each other over morning coffee
2. How you’ve grown together through challenges
3. The home you’ve built and the life you share
4. Those quiet moments that make your love story uniquely yours
5. When you get a new fur baby

One couple I photographed wanted to document their final months in their first apartment before buying a home. Those images became their most treasured years later, capturing a simple but meaningful chapter in their story.

Maternity: Each Pregnancy

Every pregnancy journey tells its own beautiful story. I’ve worked with moms who felt most beautiful during pregnancy and others who needed gentle encouragement to document this fleeting time. I especially love capturing expecting mothers with her older children gathered around her bump, whispering secrets to their future sibling.

Newborns: Each Baby

Those tiny fingers and sleepy smiles change so quickly. When I visit your home for newborn sessions, we capture not just your baby, but the whole emotional landscape of those early days:

1. The nursery you carefully prepared
2. The way your partner cradles your little one
3. The wonder in the siblings’ eyes
4. Even your favorite spot for midnight feedings

I still get messages from parents years later saying, “I can’t believe how tiny she was!” These images preserve details your memory might someday blur.

Growing Children: 1-2 Times Annually

I’ve watched children grow up through my lens, from newborns to graduates. Each stage brings unique magic:

During the first year, we might capture their first smile at 3 months, sitting up at 6 months, and those wobbly first steps around their first birthday. For school-aged kids, I love documenting their changing personalities.

Your Family Photography Plan:

Here’s how we capture your family’s journey. I like to think about it in terms of developmental milestones instead of age; let’s break it down.

Maternity (between 28 to 34 weeks)

Your bump is nicely visible and well-defined, and you’re generally past morning sickness and early pregnancy discomfort, and you have hit the uncomfortable final weeks. Plus, there is a good buffer in case the baby comes early! For multiple pregnancies, scheduling a bit earlier (26-30 weeks) is often recommended as you’ll likely be larger sooner and may experience more discomfort later. We’ll capture that beautiful glow and anticipation, whether you prefer the controlled environment of my studio or the natural beauty of your favorite park. One client even requested photos in her carefully prepared nursery—those images now hang above her daughter’s bed.

Newborn (between 3 days old and 2 months old)

I’ll come to your home and capture those fleeting newborn details in the comfort of your space. So many people ask when they should do newborn images, and it’s a personal decision. For my kiddos, I like them to be 2-3 weeks old and give myself time to recover. I tell all my clients to reach out whenever they feel ready because you never know how the birth will go or how you will feel. We usually do newborn sessions on a weekday morning since you and your partner can take some time off work to enjoy the newborn snuggles.

Crawlers (7 to 10 months): This is a super special session because your baby is moving independently, crawling, sitting up, clapping, and filled with giggles and smiles. This is my favorite time to photograph your kiddo, but unfortunately, not many people remember to book this session. I recommend scheduling this ahead of time so your photographer can remind you.

Walking (9 to 18 months): Your little one has been here for a year, and you’ve been in the thick of it. Once your baby starts walking, let’s schedule a session. I recommend adding video to your package so we can capture the movement of their first steps on film! Their full personalities come out during this session. This is a good session to do in a new location. I recommend a favorite place you guys would like to go together.

Planning Your Own Family Photography Sessions

I’ve watched families follow this journey, and their homes tell their stories through carefully curated photo walls that grow with them. Though the days sometimes feel endless (especially during those sleepless newborn nights!), I promise the years pass in a heartbeat. Let’s make sure you have beautiful images to remember every chapter.

When was your last family photography session? Let’s discuss creating the next beautiful piece of your family’s visual story, click here to schedule your family session today. Need outfit ideas for your family session? Get all the inspiration here! Don’t want to remember to schedule all of these and enjoy a huge discount? Let’s talk about signing up for The Luminary Club. My family membership!