Why book a family session? I mean, really… we have phones, we constantly photograph our kids, what can we gain from hiring a photographer to do the same thing? Okay, I think you know I have some big answers to this.

But before I get into answering that, lets talk about Jaime, Mark, Violet & Briar. As a family they were on the verge of a big move from Guelph, Ontario to St. Stephen, New Brunswick. They were leaving their first family home, where all the big moments happened. First words, first steps, first birthdays… So much love in this little home of theirs. It was a really exciting time for them, moving to another province, starting new jobs, settling into a new home and routine. But it would be disingenuous to say that there wasn’t some sadness mixed in with all the excitement.

So when we decided on family photos, we knew we were marking a really pivotal moment in their families history. We were showing the love and warmth they had created in their home, on their little street, and trying to crystallize that just what it felt like that day, only a week before they were starting on their new adventure.

From a more nuts and bolts perspective, here is what I was thinking about. We were going to be outside, so I wanted the home, the garden and the street in the photos. Mark hates getting his photo taken, so I had about 5 minutes with him before it was more of a momma/daughter photoshoot. Fair enough! We can do a lot with 5 minutes. I wanted some nice portraits of the girls, trying to encapsulate just who they were at this time in their life. Violet, a big burst of colour and energy, Briar, mostly giggles and a little more rough and tumble… This was going to be fun. But we only had about 20 minutes before dinner time, so let’s get to work.

Every time I do a family session I am reminded of just how much I love doing them. The energy, the fun, the complete chaos… it’s all so beautiful to witness and document. And here’s the thing, your family is probably full of energy ad fun and chaos too, and thats amazing! I know my family is. As I’m typing this my stepson is yelling about some random thing happening in his game, the cat is scratching up a chair he’s decided belongs to him and the dog is twitching away in his sleep, a momentary respite from searching for things to chew on or chasing the cat. Life is busy, chaotic, sometimes frustrating, and totally worth photographing.

It doesn’t always have to be for a big event, either. It’s enough to just want some nice photos of your family… and the investment is absolutely worth it, I promise. So, if you think it might be time to document some of that chaos, or a new addition to your family, or just a nice late summer evening so you can have some nice photos of this moment in life, get lets chat.