It's so tempting to have AI write this and list out in a pretty, organized way why mini sessions are NOT the best option for your family but here I go from the heart - my own experience as a family photographer for over 10 years as to why you should avoid minis for next year and why I will no longer offer them, even if it hurts my business. It's been a mental and emotional battle in determining if I want to end the days of offering mini sessions and especially Fall Mini Sessi

Sweaters, Hats & Scarves Serve a Purpose More Than Just Staying Warm

I know I am a family photographer, so you might think my opinion is a little (or a lot) biased. And that's true. BUT I've tried to remain conservative with this timeline as it is based on how fast children are growing at certain stages, how often their looks and personality is developing and how often we should be capturing these moments and milestones.

As a toddler mom, I know exactly what you're thinking when I suggest a 7:30 or even 8:00 p.m. session. Because I think it, too, when making any plans. "That's bedtime." Believe me when I say that I get it. We've worked hard as mothers to build routines because they matter. A well-rested child usually means a happier child, and no one wants to intentionally throw off bedtime. So why would I ever recommend doing just that? Because the soft, golden hour lighting will give you wa

Best Family Photo Locations in Portland for Young Children

If you've ever thought, "We'll book family photos when my toddler is a little easier," I get it. Because I'm right there with you. I'm a toddler mom, too, and my days are filled with constant snack negotiations, chasing her around and wondering where she got her endless energy from because it wasn't from me or her dad lol, and wondering how someone so small can cause such destruction in just two minutes! So when parents tell me they're nervous their toddler won't cooperate du

How to Find the Right Family Photographer in Portland for Your Family

When you bought a lot of flowers from Trader Joes to make flower crowns, and you did do that for a Columbia River Gorge spring wildflower photography session, but then you leave the remaining flower crowns in the car for two days before remembering you accidentally forgot about them, and then find out that they survived miraculously and want to use them before they dry up completely, so you make one that fits your daughter's head perfectly and go out into a field with her aft

I've been getting raw goat milk from this farm for awhile and it is the best! This is Davinia Acres and I highly recommend them! We started out with the children and the chickens and the ponies while mama finished getting ready in the house. Then we headed over to the baby goats! Some were just a day old - did you know they come out knowing how to walk almost immediately? I learned a lot about goats while visiting their farm! We then went through the barn and over to their cr

I can't tell you how much I love photographing an older sibling exitedly awaiting the arrival of their little brother or sister. It doesn't get much sweeter than that, does it? And this family certainly delivered on that sweetness. This mama brought several outfits for her maternity photography session in Portland, which by all means, is fine by me! Do an outfit change if you'd like to get even more variety in your final gallery! Some photographers charge extra but I do not a