Families are so dear to me! Each is so unique, just as the people that make them up. They are always growing and changing in one way or another with the different seasons of life and I want to help capture snapshots along the way of this journey called life. My heart is to capture both posed and more spontaneous moments that reveal personalities and how you interact with one another too. I love it when clients get excited and say, "That's them!"
Patience
I glean from my experience as a special needs mom to be patient and understanding with little ones. I have had comments from clients during a session about how amazed they are about how patient I am working with littles. I have also worked with others that have challenges like anxiety and behavior/cognitive differences including children who have autism, anxiety, apraxia, ADD/ADHD, and more. Let me know of these differences ahead of time. This will allow me to prepare and understand "in the moment" and how I should respond appropriately. I may approach a situation or the session differently to accommodate your family. I want you to relax. I understand different development levels. You never have to feel embarrassed or the need to explain anything to me. This is a judgment-free zone! I am here to support you and to give you the best experience I can. We are not striving for perfect, but real-life, beautiful moments!
Family with Older Children
Caring
I ask for a lot of information in my questionnaires, but it is solely to enhance and customize your experience. Understanding can provide the opportunity to help participants become more relaxed, comfortable, and engaged which will usually result in better and more genuine images... my goal for you! I prefer not to show up to a session as strangers, but for there to be some familiarity. Every person deserves to be known! If you would rather not share about your family, that is fine! I just may not be able to get genuine reactions by talking about interests or be able to get participants to relax as well as I may be able to. I can still take beautiful images!
Multi-Generational with Young Children
Fun + Personality
Whenever possible, I want sessions to be fun. I want you all to interact and play. That is how I am able to get your personalities and "that's them" expressions.
Active, Fun, Soccer-Loving Family
Supporting You Through Insecurities
Unfortunately, a lot of us have insecurities. I can understand that and our society and culture do not help! As I have grown in my faith, I have become more comfortable accepting who I am, but that can change with different seasons of life. Not everyone is there and I want you to know I support you. I hope to encourage others to accept themselves as they are while balancing it with seeking to do what is good, right, and best (a common compass for my life with Christ as the focus) and we do that by being good stewards of our bodies but without guilt and shame. We have freedom from that! Should you still struggle with insecurities, please don't hesitate to let me know. It is common and you can trust me to keep it secret. I truly care about you and your heart, without judgment. It helps me to know ahead of time when choosing lenses, posing, and lighting situations, all of which affect perspective and distortion positively or negatively depending on the goals. I document what is; I can't change that. I am hesitant to alter a person's body during the editing process because, to me, an image is no longer a memory. If you would like me to, I will consider doing it, but there will be an additional fee for the advanced editing. I will edit temporary things like removing acne, reducing the shadows that cause wrinkles, or minimizing flyaway hair upon request. I do not automatically edit permanent things that make you who you are. If you want other alterations before you print your images, just ask!
Family with Young Children
Parents Only!
Ideally, parents should be the center of any family, not the children. When life hits reality, I think this is something we need to be intentional about. It was hard for me, particularly when the kids were little. This is why having at least a memory or two of just the parents is an important goal of mine. It doesn't have to be cheesy like a prom pose. I like resting with one another, a partner to lean on. I know life is not always easy, but having an image like this is an important reminder of God's design for the family.
Multi-Generational Family with Older Children
