As a Seattle kids portrait photographer, I specialize in candid, personality-driven sessions that capture who your child actually is: curious, silly, stubborn, gentle, whatever that looks like on any given day. No stiff poses, no forced smiles — just real moments, photographed beautifully.
How do I make children laugh or be authentic while I’m photographing them?
Most likely, I have never met the family before the family photo session. Kids don’t know me and per usual they take time to warm up. How do I bring out those genuine smiles, laughter, poses, and expressions that you know are your children’s true personality? Do I have a formula or is it all by chance? My approach is much like an experienced chef. I know the overall predetermined process of following a recipe and creating a favorite dish over and over. But, I also have to be in the moment, using my imagination to add new spices at the right time, as I watch the prepared meal unfold. As with photographing your children, I may find a flower I didn’t know would be on site, and it becomes that secret ingredient for the perfect photo shoot.
Photographs of Your Children Being Themselves
Most important, when photographing children, you need to have an open heart. To use another culinary analogy, one needs a “joy of cooking and love for the craft and its process”—this applies to photographing families and children as well. Follow a familiar recipe however be open to trying a new particular approach each time you meet with a family or photograph a child. I love what I do! And, when you have passion for something, a positive reciprocity will meet you on the other side. From this reciprocity, I find myself photographing your children while they are expressing their truest selves.
Sibling & Individual Portrait Sessions
Whether you’re looking for portraits of one child or a full set of siblings together, sessions are built around your kids’ ages, personalities, and energy levels. Younger kids often do best with shorter, more playful sessions built around movement and exploration; older kids and tweens tend to enjoy having more say in locations and style. Sibling sessions include time for both individual portraits and shots of the kids together, so you walk away with a full range of images.
Kids Portraits vs. Family Portraits — Which Is Right for You?
If you’re deciding between this session and a full family photography session, here’s the simple version: a kids portrait session focuses entirely on your children — great for updating portraits between family sessions, sibling-only photos, milestone moments, or gifts for grandparents. A family session includes everyone and focuses on your family’s connection as a whole. Not sure which fits? Reach out and I’m happy to help you figure out what makes sense for your family right now.
What to Expect at Your Session
Sessions typically run 30–45 minutes — long enough to let kids settle in and act naturally, short enough to work with shorter attention spans. We’ll pick a location that suits your kids’ personalities, whether that’s a park, the beach, or somewhere closer to home. I follow their energy rather than forcing a shot list, which is where the best, most authentic images tend to come from.
H2: Pricing & Booking
Kids portrait sessions start at $385 and vary based on group size and location. Visit the pricing and packages page for full details, or reach out to check availability.
