Family Photos That Feel Like You

When you book family photos, what's you goal? Is your goal to have every photo perfectly posed, with everyone smiling toward the camera? If so, definitely do not hire me to be your photographer (yes, seriously). Because that's not my goal as your photographer. My goal is to provide you family photos that feel like you. And as a Pittsburgh Family Photographer, I don't take that lightly. I take pride in capturing photos that exude joy, love, and connection, and that feel like YOU. Personally, imperfect photos that capture a family's personality - even if no one is looking at the camera - is the goal.

And now, let's get to the real details of getting family photos with your kids. Do you ever worry that your kids won't cooperate during your session? I get it - you're spending a lot of money for family photos and you want them to be perfect. That would make anyone anxious... and if my goal was to have your kids stand still and smile at the camera for each shot, I'd be worried too!

But here's the thing, my goal is not to give you a finished gallery of photos where everyone is perfectly posed and smiling at the camera. My goal is to get you to interact so I can capture your real emotions.

The goal is to capture real moments that feel like you and your family. My goal is not to capture the connection you have with my camera - it's to capture the connection you have with your loved ones.

Before this session, mom emailed me that her oldest is slow to warm up (I've photographed this family a couple times before). No problem, I say - We'll have the kids play for a few minutes when they get to the location so he can warm up. Well, that didn't work. This sweet boy was hiding behind his parents, turning his head away, not wanting to look at anyone.... so what did I do? I pivoted. A LOT. We played games, he ran, and sometimes he forgot I was snapping photos while he was just having fun with his family.

At the end of the session, I told mom the sessions where kids are slow to warm up and "not cooperative" usually end up being the sessions with some of my favorite photos.... and it's true again for this gallery! Just look at the pure joy and love. That's the goal. Photos that feel like you.

So don't worry that you're kid won't cooperate - I'll capture beautiful photos of you and your family just the way you are. When you look back at these photos, you'll see the love and connection you had with each other, not my camera. You'll remember the huge, real smiles. You'll get a gallery of family photos that feel like you. If you're in the Pittsburgh area and you want family photos that feel like you, contact me so I can show you how beautiful your family is, just the way it is - no forcing smiles or stiff poses.