home is where the heart is

Raw & Artful documentation of your NOT so cut-and-dried days.

The story of your family evolves every year. Whether you’re bringing a new baby home for the first time, sending that grown baby off to kindergarten, entering the teenage years, or now have more grandchildren than you can count, this is your ever-changing, beautifully chaotic life.

You’re always growing, always living, always experiencing. But what that feels like from year to year changes.

Let me photograph who you are you are right now.

Different from your yearly posed and smiley family session where you see what everyone looks like–instead, a storytelling session shows who your family is and what your story is at this moment in time.

even when it is in the comfort of your home, IT is A STORY WORTH REMEMBERING.

I can promise you this

I won’t ask you to say cheese – unless you want me to of course

I won’t let you feel lost and awkward – you are so safe in my hands

I won’t offer stock standard posing

I won’t judge you or hold any expectations of you

I won’t stop until the job is done.

I will guide you, I will love you, I will play games with you, I will try to win your kids over, I will find the most beautiful light in the most perfect location, I will make you laugh, I will collect precious moments for you.

Lets clear one thing up…

I am not a “sales person”. I dislike the hard sell just as much as the next person. If you do book me I want it to be because your heart feels its right, not because you feel pressured.

If you decide we’re the perfect match then I can’t wait to work with you. If I’m not your thing, hey… thats ok too. My packages and pricing structure are simple and all inclusive with no “hidden costs”. I want you to feel comfortable knowing exactly what it is you’ll be getting for your money. I also offer payment plans for those who prefer it.

For me, family photography is an important investment and I know you wouldn’t be here if you didn’t feel the same. These photos will be cherished for years to come. They will be your children’s favorites hands down. Why? Because YOU are actually IN them!

NEWBORN SESSIONS – LIGHT & SPACE

Parents are often worried about not having a cute enough space for newborn photos, but do not worry about that! ALL I need for a successful newborn shoot is a bed & a window. When you contact me to book, I will suggest we shoot when natural light is best in your home. To determine this just pay attention throughout the day to figure out when the room we want to use is getting the most natural light. I will turn off all overhead lights because they cast an orange glow. So make sure you also turn them off when judging the natural light in the space. Pulaski County and surrounding areas can be particularly tricky for newborn sessions with all the cloudy days, but I make it all work. (Ask me about my newborn session guide if I have not sent this to you yet ❤️)

OLDER SIBLINGS (IT’S ALL ABOUT PATIENCE!)

For sessions with older kiddos & newborns, I know it seems like an impossible task to get these shots to happen, but I promise with patience, we will get them! Try to make sure older children have full bellies by the time I arrive. If older kiddos are acting extra wild and excited, don’t stress! There have been many sessions where it takes quite a lot of time for the older kiddo to get anywhere near the baby, I will just keep working through this time and playing with the older kiddo at the same time. It may take some time (and pretty hilarious to watch) as they finally make their way over to the baby, where we usually get approximately 6 seconds of interaction! But don’t worry, I am a fast shooter!

And YES, dogs and any other pets are welcome! I love animals and have worked with them all from teacup poodles to mastiffs to ferrets to cows to horses. Bring on the animals.

HOW IT WORKS

I photograph the moments that weave your family’s story - the ones that make you feel, the ones that make you breathless, and the ones that sweeten with the passage of time.

New baby in the hospital. New human at home. Playing on a Saturday morning in the back yard.
They are all part of your story.

Sessions are approximately 1.5 to 2 hours long. As much or as little guidance from me as you’d like.
10-15 minutes may be allotted to posed images at the start of your session if requested.

1 Booking

UPON EMAILING/ MESSAGING ME, WE WILL DISCUSS A PERFECT DATE AND TIME THAT WILL WORK OUT BEST FOR US BOTH! THE SESSION AGREEMENT FORM AND A RETAINER FEE NEEDS TO BE SUBMITTED IN ORDER TO OFFICIALLY GET ON THE SCHEDULE. ONCE WE DO THAT, YOU ARE IN AND WE WILL BEGIN THE FUN PART OF PLANNING OUT YOUR SESSION EXPERIENCE TOGETHER!

2. Client Resources

ONCE YOUR SESSION HAS BEEN SCHEDULED AND I’VE RECEIVED YOUR RETAINER FEE, I WILL DIRECT YOU TO MY CLIENT QUESTIONNAIRE SO THAT I CAN GET TO KNOW YOU ALL BETTER. I WILL GIVE YOU INFORMATION ON MY EXCLUSIVE CLIENT FACEBOOK GROUP. ALSO I HAVE INFORMATION LISTED BELOW TO MY WHAT TO WEAR GUIDE AND SUGGESTED RETAILERS TO CHECK OUT WHILE SHOPPING FOR YOUR SESSION!

3. Planning

THE FIRST STEP IN MY PLANNING PROCESS FOR EACH SESSION IS HAVING YOU FILL OUT MY IN DEPTH CLIENT QUESTIONNAIRE. THIS IS WHERE YOU’LL BE ABLE TO INPUT YOUR THOUGHTS AND IDEAS FOR THE SESSION AS WELL AS TELL ME MORE ABOUT YOU AND/OR YOUR LOVED ONES. ONCE I RECEIVE THIS, I WILL BE ABLE TO SUGGEST SOME OF MY HAND PICKED LOCATIONS (IF OUTDOORS!) AND WILL BEGIN HELPING YOU IN THE STYLING PROCESS. THE MORE YOU TELL ME ABOUT YOUR IDEAS AND STYLE FOR THE SESSION, I’LL BE ABLE TO MAKE UNIQUE SUGGESTIONS BASED OFF OF YOUR ANSWERS!

4. Session Day

I BELIEVE THAT FOCUSING MORE ON FEELING AND LESS ON POSING CREATES MEANINGFUL AND MOVING IMAGES. DUE TO THIS CORE BELIEF, I’VE COME UP WITH A METHOD OF ‘POSING’ THAT COMBINES DIRECTION AND PROMPTS TO FOSTER AUTHENTIC EMOTIONS AND MAKE SESSIONS MORE ENJOYABLE. MOST SESSIONS LAST APPROXIMATELY 60 MINUTES, BUT SOME MAY LAST LONGER DEPENDING ON THE AGE OF THE CHILDREN AND OTHER VARIOUS FACTORS. MY PHILOSOPHY IS NOT TO LIMIT YOU TO A STRICT TIME FRAME, BUT TO GO WITH THE FLOW AND TAKE AS MUCH TIME AS WE NEED TO CREATE THE IMAGES YOU WANT.

5. Image Delivery

REGULAR SESSIONS TAKE UP TO 2-3 WEEKS. ONCE THEY’RE FINISHED, YOU’RE IMAGES WILL THEN BE FULLY HAND-EDITED WITH OUR PROFESSIONAL SOFTWARE. ONCE YOU’RE IMAGES HAVE BEEN EDITED AND ARE READY FOR YOU, YOU WILL BE SENT AN ONLINE GALLERY VIA EMAIL FOR DOWNLOADING YOUR PHOTOS IMMEDIATELY. EVERY COLLECTION COMES WITH PERSONAL USAGE AND PRINTING RIGHTS, SO YOU CAN SHARE WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY ON SOCIAL MEDIA, CREATE BEAUTIFUL ALBUMS TO HAND DOWN TO YOUR CHILDREN AND HANG YOUR MEMORIES PROUDLY ON THE WALLS INSIDE OF YOUR HOME.

6. Enjoy

THE SESSION MAY BE OVER, BUT THE ONE THING ABOUT PHOTOGRAPHS, IS THEY LAST FOREVER. I ENCOURAGE MY FAMILIES TO CREATE AN ALBUM FOR EVERY SESSION THEY HAVE, AND ENCOURAGE YOUR CHILDREN TO ENJOY AND LOOK THROUGH THEM! CHOOSE A FEW FAVORITES TO FRAME AND HANG ON THE WALLS INSIDE OF YOUR FAMILY’S HOME. THEN, KEEP IN TOUCH UNTIL YOUR NEXT SESSION! I VALUE MY CLIENT’S AND THE RELATIONSHIPS I BUILD WITH THEM AND THEIR FAMILIES. FOR THIS REASON I DO OFFER SPECIAL INCENTIVES AND EVENTS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR THAT YOU’LL HAVE ACCESS TO VIA MY PRIVATE FACEBOOK GROUP.

what to wear

WORKING WITHIN THESE SUGGESTIONS AND COLOURS IS THE BEST WAY YOU CAN HELP ME DELIVER SOMETHING IN LINE WITH THE WAY I LOVE TO SHOOT. I UNDERSTAND THAT GETTING YOUNG KIDS DRESSED CAN BE A WORKOUT. IF IT’S EASIER, YOU CAN ALSO EMAIL ME PHOTOS OF WARDROBE IDEAS IN ADVANCE. I’D LOVE TO BE INVOLVED!

WHILE HEELS OR A FANCY DRESS MIGHT LOOK GREAT IN A LOUNGE, IT’LL LOOK OUT OF PLACE (AND UNFOMFORTABLE) WITH THE TYPES OF LOCATIONS I USE.
KEEP IT CASUAL.

For Mom’s

Your clothing should allow for some movement. You don’t want anything to cling too tight to your body, you want to feel loose. I love flowing fabrics. The words I like to use when describing mama style are
- boho
- neutral
- florals
When selecting a dress for maternity sessions I always look for something sheer that the light can come through showing the belly underneath. A few of my favorite pieces are vintage slip dresses and nightgowns I’ve come across. I also try to find dresses that either pull open exposing belly or unbutton in the front!
Pick a color palette you love! Darker color palettes, neutrals, mustards, fall tones, etc. look amazing. I always help my clients choose colors that compliment my edit style as well. Usually warm neutral tones, or deep rich colors that contrast against the skin. Pick 3-5 colors and find clothes that compliment each other!
I love to mix different textures. Wool, lace, sheer, flowy, smooth, delicate, knit, velvet. All of these blend beautifully together and can pick up light differently adding so much to an image.
*Stay away from anything bright or neon, with logos, out of season clothing (plaid in summer) or too tight.*
Make a day of self-care! Get your makeup and hair done early, come to your session, and then get a sitter for date night
**SOME SHOPPING SUGGESTIONS!**
FILLYBOO
JENS PIRATE BOOTY
THE BEE AND THE FOX
AERIE
TARGET
LOCAL THRIFT SHOPS
LOCAL VINTAGE STORES
FOREVER 21
COVEN AND CO
FREE PEOPLE
CHELSEA & VIOLET
FOR LOVE AND LEMON
DRESS AND MUSE
AMAZON
SHEIN
ROOLEE
MADEWELL
VIC COLLECTION

For Dad’s

The rules for men’s clothing are just a little different.

You’re not aiming for loose flowy. Loose, or baggy clothing, will look unfitting and ultimately not show off your best features or face.

Choose clothing that isn’t too tight or too loose, doesn’t need constant readjustment, is a little more dressed up than casual (think knit sweater, cool jacket with layers) and a form fitting pant.
Adding texture like a sweater, leather shoes, beanie (beanies can easily be a yes or a no!) adds some visual interest as long as it doesn’t take away from you.
*Stay away from anything bright or neon, with logos, out of season clothing (plaid in summer) and keep keys, phone, wallet, etc. out of your pockets.*
- **Urban Outfitters**
- **Forever 21 Men**
- **Goodfellow & Co (Target)**

For Kids

I love gender neutral colors on kids! Try to steer away from the bright pinks, the ultra frilly, or the character shirts/shoes. Clothing that makes less of a “statement” generally lets your child’s face and personality shine through!

I love a timeless look that is going to look adorable 20 years from now.
Dress for the weather!
Shops:
- Lulu and Roo
- Zara Kids
- Hello Little Page
- Ruffets and Co
- Kid Wild
- H&M Kids
- Two Littles and Lou
- Briar (bonnets for newborns and babies)
- Spearmint
- Rylee and Cru
- Jamie Kay Clothing

Interested a longer session? A documentary style session that helps capture a day in your life as a family, in this very season of life that you are in right now, in this very moment?

WHAT IS A DAY IN THE LIFE SESSION?

This is something that is uncommonly heard of however is something I am so excited to start offering my clients. I will start from seeing the insane morning bedhead (complete with eye rubbing and giggle squeals) to capturing the crazy pillow fight inside the fort blanket just before bedtime stories - I will happily photograph your complete day (or however much of it you’d like).

Any day. A probably-nothing-special-happening-but-still-the-kind-you-want-to-remember-forever day.

There's beauty in that. In the common and and the ordinary. Because it's the moments in between that end up meaning so much to us.

I WANT TO DOCUMENT A DAY IN YOUR LIFE.

And tell the story of your ordinary.

HOW IT WORKS

I photograph your life as it is now with authentic storytelling. We create a documentary about your life.

The best Day in the Life sessions have nothing special planned - just families going about their day-to-day, visiting their favourite places, and loving eachother as they always do. But anything is welcomed! You could be having family over to visit, celebrating a birthday from getting ready, cake, to party; nothing is off limits here!!!! In terms of how long I'm with you, you have the option of a half day (4 hours), a full day (6 hours) or a full day split into morning and evening (8 hours)

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