Happy Vibes Oh, so welcome!

I realize preparing for a family session can be exceptionally stressful. I have hoped to remove a bit of that stress with the Style and Select styling service. However, I realize that clothes aren't all that stress a mama out on photoshoot day. Everyone wants what I lovingly call the "grandma photo" (because that's the picture Grandma wants on. her fridge), when everyone looks and smiles happily and authentically directly into the center of my camera lens. However, the most authentic and happy your kiddos will be, is when they are interacting and playing with you. I always start with the "grandma picture", and more formal portraits, but the pictures I've grown to cherish most of my family are the ones where we are interacting and at play. The smile my daughter gives when I'm dancing with her, is much better than the smile she gives when I tell her to "say cheese." So if you look over and your children is sticking their tongue out at me, it is probably because I told them to make a silly face. These pictures might not be the ones you hang, but they are helping your kiddo loosen up and get comfortable with me and my camera.

I've also found it is more effective to redirect, or change up our location a bit if a child is struggling or having a meltdown, rather than disciplining more harshly. I joke often that photoshoots are the only place that bribery is a perfectly acceptable and appreciated parenting tactic (just save the chocolate and skittles for later so we don't stain their clothes mid session).

Also, PLEASE do not worry about what I think about the quality of parenting you bring to the table, or your children's photoshoot behavior! I have seen everything over the years, including my own kids coming unraveled! So, I won't judge your kids or your parenting if you don't judge mine (haha).