Family Session Guide

Family sessions aren’t about perfect smiles or everyone looking at the camera.

They’re about connection.

The way your child reaches for your hand. The giggles between siblings. The quiet moments cuddled together. The little details you’ll want to remember years from now.

My goal is to create a relaxed experience where your family can simply be together while I document the moments that matter most.

Let’s create something meaningful.

Choosing The Perfect Location

The best location is one that reflects your family’s personality and allows everyone to feel comfortable.

Whether you love open fields, waterfront views, forest trails, urban charm or a cozy in-home session, we’ll choose a location that fits your vision and feels true to you.

Choosing the Perfect Location

Some Popular Options

  • Open fields with grass

  • Beaches and waterfronts

  • Forest trails and wooded areas

  • Historic downtown streets

  • Parks with open space for children to explore

  • In-home lifestyle sessions (this includes your backyard, front of the home and your street)

Click here to browse our location guide for inspiration.

Lighting plays a huge role in creating the warm, dreamy look you see throughout our portfolio.

Golden Hour Recommended ‍ ‍Golden hour takes place shortly after sunrise or before sunset and provides the softest, most flattering light.

This is ideal for: -Families with older children -Sessions focused on warm, glowing imagery -Open field and waterfront locations

Morning Sessions Morning sessions can be wonderful for families with younger children who do best earlier in the day.

Morning light is bright, fresh and often works well in parks, forests and in-home settings.

Young Children & Babies When planning your session, we’ll work around nap schedules whenever possible to ensure everyone arrives happy, relaxed and ready to have fun.

When Should You Schedule

Colours That Photograph Beautifully

  • Cream

  • Beige

  • Oatmeal

  • Taupe

  • Soft browns

  • Sage green

  • Dusty blue

  • Warm rust tones

  • Muted blush

The goal is coordination, not matching.

Choose outfits that complement one another while allowing each family member’s personality to shine. Soft, neutral tones photograph beautifully and help keep the focus on connection rather than clothing.

What To Wear & Outfit Coordination

  Think Textures  

Texture adds depth, movement and visual interest to your images. Consider incorporating:

  • Knit sweaters

  • Linen dresses

  • Flowy fabrics

  • Layered pieces

  • Denim jackets

  • Cardigans

Clothes that You Should Try to Avoid

  • Neon colours

  • Bright logos

  • Big logos (front & back)

  • Large graphics

  • Busy patterns

  • Busy colours

  • Identical matching outfits

Styling For The Whole Family

For partners keep things simple, timeless and comfortable. Neutral button-down shirts, knit sweaters, well-fitted jeans or chinos, and neutral footwear photograph beautifully. whenever possible, avoid bright athletic clothing or heavily branded items.

For littles, comfort is key. Choose outfits they can move, play, cuddle and explore in comfortably. Some favourites include linen rompers, overalls, simple dresses, neutral sweaters and soft cotton basics. If your child is younger, bringing a backup outfit is always a great idea.

What To Wear and Outfit Coordination

Preparing For Your Session

A little preparation goes a long way in creating a relaxed and enjoyable experience for everyone involved.

To help your session run smoothly, consider bringing water, small non-messy snacks, a favourite comfort item, extra diapers and wipes, a change of clothes for little ones and weather-appropriate layers if needed. To avoid stains and distractions in your images it’s best to skip brightly coloured snacks, candy or anything particularly messy.

Most importantly, don’t stress about perfect behaviour. Children are meant to be children, and some of the most meaningful photographs come from the in-between moments of them running, exploring laughing, cuddling and simply being themselves.

Arriving a few minutes early can help everyone settle in and start the session feeling relaxed. Once we begin, focus less on getting children to smile at the camera and more on connecting with each other. You will be guided through prompts during your session such as snuggling, playing, telling jokes, holding each others hands. Relax and enjoy the experience together, and I’ll capture your genuine moments that will happen naturally.

If you’re deciding between outfit options or would like help coordinating with your partner, feel free to

send them my way ahead of your session. I’m always happy to help you choose what will photograph

best.

If you’re deciding between outfit

options or would like help

coordinating with your partner, feel

free to send them my way ahead of

your session. I’m always happy to help

you choose what will photograph best.