Family Photography

A family of three standing outdoors during daytime, with a rainbow in the cloudy sky behind them. The father is holding a young girl, while the mother looks at him and smiles.

What Are these Sessions Like?

Loose. A little chaotic. Not a lot of "everybody look here and say cheese," though we'll get a few of those because your mother wants one and that's a completely legitimate reason.

Mostly we walk somewhere pretty and I talk to you the entire time. About your kids, your week, the thing you're annoyed about, whatever. The talking is the technique. People forget to be photographed when they're mid-sentence.

I'm after connection. The way your son grabs your hand without thinking about it. The look your daughter gives your husband that she gives nobody else. The particular shape your family makes when it's just standing around being a family. Twenty years from now nobody will remember the outfits. They'll remember that they felt like that.

The galleries I hand back feel less like photographs and more like a memory of your own. Honestly, these are the sessions I’d hire for my own family.

Santa Cruz family photographer session with a family of three walking hand in hand along a wall

About eleven minutes into most family sessions, something breaks. Not badly. Somebody's kid announces he is done, or the four-year-old goes boneless in the sand, or the baby needs to eat right now, and there's a moment where the parents look at each other with an expression I have come to know extremely well. It says: this was a mistake and we have paid money for it.

That moment is my favorite part. Because right after it, everybody stops performing.

The stiff smiles go. The dad who was holding his shoulders up by his ears drops them. The kids realize nobody is going to make them stand in a line, and they run off, and somebody chases somebody, and there is a shriek of the good kind. And I start actually working, because that is when you finally look like yourselves.

I'm not photographing a family portrait. I'm photographing your family.

Santa Cruz family photographer capturing three young girls in white dresses running on a foggy beach

What If the Kids Don’t Behave?

You are worried about your kids. Everybody is worried about their kids.

You are worried the toddler won't cooperate, the eight-year-old will do the fake squinty smile, the teenager will radiate contempt from every frame, and the baby will scream. Some of that will happen. All of it is fine.

I do not need children to sit still, look at the camera, or behave. Kids who are allowed to move produce infinitely better pictures than kids who are being managed. So my honest ask of parents is this: let me handle them, and go be with each other. The most common thing that goes sideways in a family session is a well-meaning parent standing behind me saying look at Kate, look at Kate, LOOK AT KATE, which has never once worked in the history of photography.

Threenagers, I've got. Teenagers, I've got. The kid who hides behind your leg for the first fifteen minutes and then won't leave me alone, I've definitely got.

Santa Cruz family photographer silhouette of a family holding hands at golden hour sunset

Locations

Beach. Natural Bridges, Seabright, Panther Beach, Bonny Doon, or the stretch of West Cliff where the cypress lean out over the water. Good for movement, running, big open light.

Redwoods. Henry Cowell and Nisene Marks. Completely different mood. Green, still, quiet, no wind, cathedral light coming down in shafts. Wonderful with small kids because the space is contained and they can't sprint into the ocean

The Boardwalk. Not for everyone, and genuinely joyful for the right family. Carousel, corn dogs, that particular saturated old-California color. If your kids are at the age where the Boardwalk is childhood, this is worth considering.

Your house. At-home sessions are underrated and I love them. Pancakes, the couch, the backyard, the dog. If your family's real life is indoors, let's photograph indoors.

Coming over the hill? Plenty of families drive over from the South Bay or San Mateo County, usually because they want beach or redwoods rather than another park session. Give yourself extra time on 17 or 1 in the late afternoon, and note that coastal golden hour runs later than you're used to inland. I'll send exact timing when we set the date.

Work With Me

Santa Cruz family photographer session with family standing in a historic barn doorway

What to expect

Yes, as long as the dog doesn’t stress you out and take distract you from what we are doing. I’ve experienced sessions where the dogs are anxious and make the session miserable for everyone- I don’t recommend it!
You just brought a new human into your house who demands all your time and attention- it’s a miracle that you’re function. If your house is a total mess, that’s ok. I am very good at moving clutter aside to find a nice spot for our photos. That said, I typically aim for 2-3 locations in your house (the baby’s room, your room, and a nicely lit public space), so if you have it in you tidy up beforehand, that will make it all the less stressful for you.
Wear whatever makes you comfortable- I recommend wearing what makes you comfortable and feels like you instead of what’s trendy. That said, I curate Pinterest boards to help clients generate some ideas and am happy to share them. In general, avoid logo shirts, baseball hats, and bright running shoes- these do not fall in the timeless apparel category. Typically letting mom, or whoever organized the session, chose her/his outfit first and then pulling colors/tones from that outfit for everyone else’s attire is a smart plan.
Yes, I hear that from literally every client who books. I keep things as laid back and chatty as possible to distract everyone from what’s actually happening- and guess what? It works! My #1 feedback from clients after a session is that their husbands commented that they actually enjoyed themselves. I call that a win!
I will contact you approximately 4 weeks after your session with your final, edited gallery. For full sessions, you will be able to download all of your digital images (you can except at least 50-75).
For mini sessions, you can select 10 images to download from a larger gallery and have the option to purchase the whole gallery or additional files if you so choose. My gallery store also includes prints and products that I’ve hand selected for my clients, which you can view and purchase straight from your private page.
Absolutely! I love building relationships with my families. I do recommend booking early, especially in the fall, as well as joining my email list so you have first dibs on weekend mini sessions that I plan for holiday cards.