Everyday Life - Lockdown Style Family Photo Session

This lockdown life has been good for me in terms of photography and getting creative! Since I’m not able to get close to people physically when I’m photographing these days, it’s harder to pose and give direction. Especially when really small children are involved. SO… I’ve been documenting more lifestyle/real-life and going back to the roots of what made me fall in love with portrait photography!

Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy taking a nice family photo with everyone looking at the camera. That’s what parents want, usually, and I also appreciate those types of photos with my own family as well. But, what makes my heart soar the most is when I take a bit of a fly-on-the-wall approach. When people forget that I’m even there, that’s when I make some of my most favorite photos I ever take. They show genuine emotions & reactions. They’re not “too posed” or stiff. People let their guards down. They’re too busy just being themselves and not worrying about how they might look on camera. Typically, this is pretty easy to do with kids in general because they aren’t as self-conscious about how they look and their attention spans are shorter so they forget I’m there quicker! ;)

If you’re photographing your own kids at home these days, try this approach instead of asking them to smile! They’ll appreciate it and you’ll hopefully love those in-the-moment photos even more. Time goes by so quickly, let’s document real moments in real life.

Stay safe, friends.

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Cape Cod Family Beach Photo Session - Destination Family Photographer

Last summer I flew out to Cape Cod to photograph family photos for a sweet boy’s first birthday. I grew up with Kris in our tiny Wisconsin town and we reconnected via Facebook after college and major life changes & moves. Kris now lives in Switzerland with her husband Mike and their one year old little boy! Her husband is from Boston and his parents live half the year in their Cape Cod home. Kris flew me out to document her little guy turning one while they were visiting in Cape Cod last August. Her parents also came to visit, and we did an extended family session at Quisset Harbor at sunset time. It helped me realize that I need more sunset beach sessions in my life and that I need to go back to explore more of Cape Cod!

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boy sits in the rocks for his one year old birthday photos at the beach in cape cod
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mom and dad holding baby boy for a sunset portrait at the beach in cape cod

Bring the Grandparents for a Group Photo!

I make sure to get photos of them by themselves too! Often, they have not been photographed together in ages.

extended family portrait at the beach at sunset in cape cod
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couple portrait at sunset at the beach in cape cod
mom and dad laughing while dad throws baby into the air at the beach in cape cod at sunset
Family portrait on the rocks at the beach at sunset in cape cod
dad holding son’s hand in the water at the beach in cape cod
mom holding son’s hand in the water at the beach in cape cod
mom holding son’s hand in the water at the beach in cape cod
mom and dad hold little boy’s hand while walking along the beach at sunset in cape cod
silhouette of a couple sitting on the beach at sunset in cape cod
mom throwing baby into the air at the beach at sunset in cape cod
little boy holding rock at the beach in cape cod
Extended family walking along the beach at sunset in cape cod