What happens during a family photography session?

A family photography session is relaxed, fun and very much about being yourselves. I’ll guide you when needed, but I won’t expect everyone to stand still and smile at the camera for the whole session.

We’ll chat, play, walk, cuddle, tickle, explore and generally let the children be themselves. I’ll look for the little interactions and connections between you as a family, as well as creating some beautiful portraits of everyone together.

My aim is for your photographs to tell the story of your family as you are right now – personalities, relationships, laughter and all.

 

What should we wear for family photographs?

Choose clothes that you feel comfortable and confident in, rather than dressing everyone in matching outfits. Coordinating colours and textures tend to work beautifully, without everyone looking identical. Neutral, earthy and soft tones photograph particularly well, but the most important thing is that your clothes feel like you. We talk through this all before your session to make sure your family looks picture perfect! 

 

Where do family photography sessions take place?

Your family photography session can take place wherever feels right for you. I often photograph families in their own homes, but we can also head outdoors to a favourite local spot, park, woodland or somewhere that has special meaning to your family. The location is part of telling your family's story, so we’ll choose somewhere that suits you.

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Can you photograph families at home?

Absolutely. In fact, photographing families at home is one of my favourite ways to create meaningful photographs.

Home is where so much of family life happens – the sofa where you cuddle, the kitchen where you bake, the garden where the children play. These familiar surroundings can help everyone relax and allow me to capture genuine moments and connections. You don't need a perfectly tidy house either! I'm photographing your family, not your interior design, but don't worry, I have tricks to hide clutter!

 

What happens if my children don’t cooperate?

That’s absolutely fine! I used to be a Gymboree Instructor, and have worked with Children for many years, including those with additional needs, so nothing surprises me. I can talk through any concerns you have, and we make a plan that suits your family making sure they feel as comfortable as possible. As a Mum myself I know children don't always do what we expect them to – and that's exactly why I don't base a session around getting everyone to sit still and smile. If they're shy, energetic, grumpy, silly or simply not interested in having their photograph taken, we'll work with it. I’ll follow their lead, give them time and find ways to photograph them naturally. Often, the photographs you end up loving most are the ones where they weren't looking at the camera at all!

 

What age is best for family photographs?

There really isn't a “best” age. Every stage of childhood is worth remembering. Babies change incredibly quickly, toddlers are full of personality, school-age children are developing their own interests and teenagers are becoming increasingly independent.

You don't have to wait for a milestone or a special occasion. Sometimes the ordinary stages of family life are the ones you'll miss the most. But one of my favourite times is just about to start primary school, and another is about to leave for University!

 

Can you photograph grandparents and extended family?

Of course, and I always suggest including Grandparents whenever we can! Family photographs don't have to be limited to parents and children. Larger family groups can be photographed alongside smaller combinations too, so you have photographs of everyone together as well as the individual relationships within your family.

 

How long does a family photography session take?

Most family sessions take around an hour, although I don't work to a rigid stopwatch. The session needs to allow enough time for veryone to relax, especially if you have young children. Sometimes we'll spend longer playing and chatting than actually taking photographs – and that's often when the best moments happen.

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How many photographs will we receive?

I don't believe in limiting your memories to an arbitrary number of photographs. After your session, I'll carefully select and edit the strongest images from the story we've created together. The number you receive will depend on your session and the collection or artwork you choose. We'll talk through your options before you book, so you'll know exactly what to expect.

 

Do you provide prints and albums?

Absolutely! Your portraits are created to exist outside of your screen and the cloud.

I offer a range of beautiful professional prints, framed artwork, albums and other options designed to preserve your photographs for years to come. I can also help you choose the right sizes and products for your home, so you don't have to try to imagine how everything will look from a screen.

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Why are prints important?

Because photographs are meant to be seen, held and enjoyed, not left forgotten on a hard drive or buried amongst thousands of images on your phone.

There is something incredibly special about seeing your family photographs every day – particularly as your children grow up.

A photograph on the wall becomes part of your home and part of your family's history. Years from now, those images will mean even more than they do today.

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What is the best way to display family photographs?

There isn't one answer – it depends on your home and the story you want to tell.

A large statement portrait can be incredibly powerful, while a collection of smaller framed photographs can tell a story across a wall. Albums are wonderful for bringing together the whole story of your session in one place.

If you're unsure what would work in your home, I create wall art mock-ups using a photograph of your own wall, allowing you to see how different sizes and layouts could look before you make a decision. It's all part of the service when you choose me as your photographer!

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How much does family photography cost?

Family photography is an investment in photographs that you'll enjoy now and treasure for generations.

My family photography collections are tailored around the session and the finished artwork you choose, with options for prints, framed wall art and albums.

I'll explain all the options and pricing before you book, so there are no surprises, more information can be found here.

 

Can we have photographs taken outdoors?

Absolutely. Outdoor sessions can be wonderful for families, particularly when children have plenty of space to explore and be themselves. We might go for a walk, play in a favourite park, explore woodland or simply make use of somewhere that means something to your family. I’ll use the surroundings, light and natural interactions to create photographs that feel relaxed and authentic rather than overly posed.

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What makes a family photograph feel natural rather than posed?

Ah ha! That's EXACTLY the portraits I love to create - for me, it's about connection rather than perfection.

I will absolutely include some beautiful portraits where everyone is looking at the camera, but I also want to capture everything that happens in between – the way your children laugh with you, the look you give each other, tiny hands being held, cuddles, games and all those little expressions that are uniquely yours.

Rather than constantly asking you to pose, I'll give you things to do and ways to interact so that genuine moments happen naturally. The result is a collection of photographs that doesn't just show what your family looked like – it shows what it felt like to be together.

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I hope that answers your questions, but if you have any others please feel free to reach out! 

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With love, Rachel xx