I grew up in my dad’s Midwest photography studio, carrying Hasselblad film backs around in my pink vinyl fanny pack. I watched families come through and noticed the same struggles pop up. I wondered why some sessions were stressful (obviously before I had kids of my own!)
Many people entered their portrait session with a host of misunderstandings & self-consciousness. Some worried about their clothing choices or kids' behavior. Headshot clients often hid unease about aging. Most wondered if it would be worth the money and effort.
After years of thinking and testing, I identified common mental and physical stresses of my photography clients. I then streamlined my process to ease photography stress, especially in the area of decision-making, so you enjoy the experience and love the results.
Everyone has at least one attractive feature (often more) and since I’m an artist free from your own personal biases, I can see it easily. I can find it, showcase it, and craft a portrait that’s authentic and amazing. As I work, I listen for your feedback so you know you have a voice in the matter.
If you’ve ever tried wrangling kids into matching outfits, convincing a busy spouse to pause their day, or coordinating older kids’ packed schedules, you know the hassle of a portrait session can feel overwhelming. However, childhood doesn't last forever! The satisfaction of knowing you've captured it with timeless photos makes it all worthwhile.
Here’s just a few things I do differently. I pre-plan lighting, setup, and composition details to save you time. Most sessions are under 30 minutes, but my prep with you beforehand keeps it from feeling rushed. Controlled lighting and a comfortable space means everyone looks their best, no matter the weather or chaos outside.
Even though I always have a plan, I also have plan B, plan C... and one for every letter of the alphabet! Kids don't always follow the script, but I stay one step of ahead of them. One benefit of a studio session is my controlled area of light. It's designed to keep kiddos in cinema quality lighting so when they throw out their own pose ideas, I capture it perfectly.
Parents know time moves fast—too fast. Raising kids is a whirlwind, but it should also feel deeply rewarding. That’s why I create professional portraits to capture those fleeting, once-in-a-lifetime moments. My streamlined process saves you time and effort, delivering timeless photos that let you pause, reflect, and feel the joy of these days forever.
