Think about it for a minute…
…the last time you announced to your family you were getting family pictures taken what was their reaction? Were you met with excitement? Or were you met with groaning and several: "Do we have tos?"
How did YOU feel about the session? Did you instantly start stressing over what outfits you were going to wear? Where was the perfect location? Did you go straight to Pinterest and spend hours and hours scrolling through the feed trying to find the perfect pose?
Over the years we have been accustomed into believing that a family session is something that needs to take place in the middle of a pretty field, all wearing color-coordinated outfits that you will probably never wear again. We all follow this style of wanting to look perfect and have images of our family looking and acting a certain way with that dreamy, backlit glow as the sun is setting perfectly behind us.
Don’t get me wrong, these photos are simply remarkable and of course it feels amazing to get dressed up and do something together as a family. You and your family will never be like the way you are now in this moment again, and it's truly an amazing thing to just enjoy this time together by getting in front of the camera, no matter how or where you choose to do so.
But I want to challenge you to step outside of the box and think about the why and the what it is you are trying to capture with your family session?
WHY DO YOU REALLY WANT TO HAVE THIS SESSION?
WHAT ABOUT THIS SEASON IS SO SPECIAL?
I want you to take a moment and think about why doing a family session right now is so important to you. Really sit back and spend some time pondering over that question. You may find yourself coming to realize that this session is not about what you look like or what location you go to but…
IT'S ABOUT CAPTURING THE PEOPLE AND THE
MOMENTS THAT ARE HAPPENING AROUND YOU RIGHT NOW
It's not about the perfect outfit.
It's not about the stunning locations.
It’s not about the hair and makeup and the pretty props.
Those things are beautiful and fun, but they don't really capture anything you can't scroll through Pinterest and see a million other examples of. And isn't capturing YOUR story and YOUR memories kind of the point?
Instead of obsessing over the props and perfect light, we need to focus on the unconditional love, the hugs, the tears, the quiet reflections, the tantrums, the routines. YOUR STORY is what will make your family session special.
YOU MAY LOOK AT THIS SESSION AND SEE BORING
But I see you and your family just the way you are, and I take what I see…the mundane…the mess…the realness…and turn your story into a piece of art. Art that your children can look back on to remind them what it was like at this point in their life.
What if we could capture how you feel when you wake up with kids’ feet in your face? You roll out of bed to make pancakes and bacon, and then snuggle on the couch after breakfast.
How about preparing dinner and the struggles of getting said dinner eaten; children running around the house as you try and coral them up to take a bath.
THIS IS THE STUFF OF MEMORIES
Whether they be posed or unposed, styled or not, I believe family sessions of all kinds are beautiful and important.
BUT IMAGINE WHAT COULD HAPPEN WHEN WE STOP FOCUSING ON THE PERFECT AND START FOCUSING ON THE REAL?
Real moments in the home where you spend the most time with your family.
Real moments where you can not only see but feel the LOVE behind your family.
Real feelings and emotions that make up who and where you are at right now.
LET'S CAPTURE MORE OF THAT
Are you ready to preserve your family story? Are you brave enough to step outside of the box and try something different for your next family session? If your answer is YES to all those questions then contact me today! I can't wait to tell your story and start getting REAL.
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