We have all been there, posting in Facebook groups, asking friends, endlessly searching Google in your search to finding the perfect family photographer to capture your family photos.
Choosing the right family photographer is a big deal—you want someone who can capture your family’s personalities, make the process fun (instead of stressful), and create photos you’ll actually want to print out and frame.
The good news is finding the perfect family photographer doesn’t have to be overwhelming.
Whether you’re booking your first session or looking for a new photographer to capture your vacation time in Bear Lake, I’m breaking down everything you need to know—so you can feel confident in your choice and get the beautiful family photos you deserve.
Q: What should I look for when hiring a family photographer? There are so many to choose from!
Not all photographers are the same, and family sessions require a special skill set! When searching for a family photographer, consider these key factors:
- Style: Do you prefer bright & airy, warm & earthy, or true to color editing style? Look at each photographer’s photos to find a style that you just fall in love with.
- Experience with Kids: If you have little ones, choose a photographer who has worked with young kids often and knows how to make sessions fun and natural (not stiff and awkward).
- Location Options: Do they shoot outdoors, in-home, or in a studio? Do they give you the option to choose? If you don’t have a clue on where to do your photos do they provide options to help you decide? Find a photographer that will help make the process as stress free as possible for you and your family.
- Personality: If your photographer can make you feel comfortable, it will show in your photos. Find someone who feels like a good fit! You can do this by exploring their website & social media accounts to really see if they are someone you will vibe with.
As for my approach and answer to these questions: My editing style is more on the true to color side with a hint of more warmer and earthy colors. I have worked with a wide age range, all the way from a few week old baby to 90 years old! I’ve got tips and tricks to help everyone feel happy & confidant in front of my camera. I have a locations guide that I send when you book with me to help you choose the perfect location for you and your family and they include both indoor and outdoor locations.
Q: What can I expect during a family photography session?
A great family session should feel fun, relaxed, and natural—not like an overly posed formal school portrait that fills stiff and has no personality. There are many ways that many different photographers achieve this but here is what it would look like if you booked a session with me.
Here’s how it typically flows:
- Before the Session – We’ll plan a location, time, and outfit ideas so you feel totally prepared. I do this by continuing communication with you from after you book all the way till your session. I will send guides and emails to really help you feel so confidant and ready for your family photo session.
- During the Shoot – Expect movement, laughter, and some prompts to get genuine smiles! Don’t worry about making kids “pose”—I’ll guide them in a natural way. I tend to play games and say silly prompts to get the kiddos to feel comfortable. (And don’t worry, we will get that ‘perfect posed’ photo for the wall in all of this as well.)
- After the Session – I’ll edit your images and deliver them within 6 weeks of your session. You’ll receive a gallery where you can download, print, and share your favorites! And have your memoires to look back on for years and years to come!
Just like the Lundy Family (pictured below). They felt prepared and ready coming into their session and we were able to get the posed family photo, genuine smiles from the kids, and had some fun and silly moments as well!
Q: What should we wear for our family session?
This really is the #1 question families ask me when preparing for family photos: “What do we wear?!”
Here are a few of my top tips:
- Start with choosing Mom’s outfit first. Pick something you feel confident in, and build everyone else’s outfits around it.
- Choose a color palette, not matching outfits! Think 3-4 coordinating colors instead of everyone wearing the exact same thing.
- Avoid big overbearing logos & bright neon colors. These can be distracting and take attention away from your faces!
Need more outfit ideas? Don’t worry! I have you covered. I send out a very detalied outfit guide when you book your family photos with me. I also have an Amazon board to help you get some quick ideas for choosing outfits! Check it out HERE!
Q: How do I prepare my kids for the session?
Parents always worry about their kids not cooperating—but I promise, we’ll make it awesome!
The key is to set the tone before the session even starts. Talk to them ahead of time and let them know it’s going to be fun, not a stiff “stand-still-and-smile” kind of thing. If they think of it as an adventure instead of a chore, they’ll be much more relaxed.
Make sure they’ve had a snack beforehand—nothing derails a happy mood faster than being hungry. Or even bring some quick, non messy snacks for between shots. It can even act as a little extra motivation, bringing a small reward for after the session can be a real game-changer!
And don’t stress if they want to run, jump, or explore. Some of the best photos happen when kids are just being themselves! After all your session is all about capturing your memories!!
Like during the Olsen’s family photos their kids were so excited to play in the sand and water while on the beach of Bear Lake.
Q: How much does a family photo session cost?
Family photography is an investment in your memories, and pricing varies based on experience, session type, and what’s included.
My sessions start at $350, and all packages include:
100+ fully edited images Guides that I send to help you feel prepared and ready!
If you’d like full pricing details, check out my pricing page Here, or contact me Here!
Family photos aren’t just about smiling at the camera—they’re about capturing love, connection, and the stage of life you’re in right now.
Whether your kids are tiny or growing fast, these moments deserve to be documented in a way that feels natural and timeless.
If you’re in the Bear Lake Idaho/Utah area or nearby and are still on the search in finding the perfect family photographer, I would love to be considered! So, let’s chat and book your session! Slots fill up fast so don’t wait. I can’t wait to work with you!
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