A Beautiful Summer Night at NCMA

Another family lifestyle session at sunset at the Raleigh NCMA for a family of young kids is in the books. Although our school starts on August 23rd, some schools in the area have already gone back. This family was getting ready to send their first born daughter to Kindergarten when we took these photographs a few weeks ago. Her mom wanted to mark this transition of life with a Mommy + Me session at sunset. I thought it was such a sweet idea to mark this special season a life with some photographs to look back on for a lifetime.

I am getting ready to send my daughter, Penelope to Kindergarten in a couple of weeks and I totally feel all the feelings about it right now. Excited, sad, worried, and bittersweet. She’s growing up and I can’t slow it down. If you follow me on Instagram, I just posted in my stories the other night a picture of Penelope sleeping in her Aurora costume when I checked on her before I went to bed. She had changed into the costume sometime after I had tucked her in. It was a moment when I remembered how innocent she is and how when she goes to elementary school that will slowly start to change as she is exposed to new kids and new experiences. I’m not ready for her to leave this bubble, but I am ready and excited for her at the same time. It’s very confusing. It is definitely bittersweet time for moms of Kindergartners. If you know one feel free to ask them how they are holding up. Don’t worry- I’ll be fine. I’ll just be over here crying in my wine. 😭

If you are interested in doing a family session with me get in touch here to begin the booking process.

My Themes for Photographing Family Sessions

Every session is different, but I always try to hit a few themes with my posing and perspective. I do this without telling my clients. It’s a process I think through in my mind. Instead of having a checklist of poses, I like to think of how I will show certain emotions though the interactions of your family.

Here are a few examples of the themes I love to photograph:

Love.

I am who I am, which is a sucker for love, so every session I’m striving for connection and expressions of your love as a family. I can guarantee that I’m going to ask you to hug, kiss, snuggle, and sniff each other (just kidding! sort of! ;) It’s just something I have to capture every time!

Love is my favorite theme, so be ready to get cuddly, ok?

Fun.

We have fun at the sessions. It’s not all stiff sitting and perfect posture. During our session you guys will hug, snuggle, maybe lie down, pick up the kids, maybe throw them in the air, hang them down low, swing from side to side, and dance! There will also be a few games. Don’t worry, it’s easy stuff!

Laughter.

Of course when we’re having fun we are going to get some laughs, and this is one of my favorite types of pictures to capture. Having fun with your family is the best. Who else knows all the silly inside jokes and all the best tickle spots??

Calm.

Even with the wildest kids (not that I’ve photographed “the wildest kids” I don’t know who they are?!), there are moments of calm in every session. Moments where the kids hug their parents and are genuinely happy to be with their parents and siblings.

I think many parents assume the photo session is going to be a disaster. They think “someone will melt down, kids are going to be uncooperative, and someone will be running around and not listening, my partner is going to be annoyed” but that is not the case in my experience. Most kids (and partners) ;) are really cooperative. They love just spending time with their parents. Sure, some might need to take a break and then come back, and that’s why I always recommend 1 hour sessions for younger kids.

I always say to parents to reassure everyone that the session will be fun. Try to get the family pumped to have a good time and you will have calm, happy kids!

Joy.

I guess this could be combined with fun, but have you ever had a kid not experience pure joy when they are be lifted or tossed in the air? It looks like the best time ever.

If you are looking for a lifestyle family photographer in Raleigh, Durham, Cary, or Wake Forest please send me a message! I would love to photograph you!
Contact me here