My family sessions are one hour in length. These sessions are designed to capture the entire family! Which means that any and every combination of people you want in a photo together will happen during your session, time permitting. Generally we will begin with a few posed portraits.  Then I’ll encourage a more relaxed portion of our session, to give you a chance to have fun and make some new memories while I snap some casual, candid photos.

If you have young children feel free to bring a few props along with you to our session.  Small chairs, crates and blankets are often a nice addition with little ones. Please don’t stress out if your child isn’t cooperating… please don’t yell at them or make threats… as tempting as it might be (trust me I know that feeling). Your enthusiastic and positive energy along with my gift of distraction will always create lovely images. They will do all the fabulous things that children usually do such as pick up sticks, or jump off a rock… it’s totally normal. I let them work out their nervousness, take a few shots and then redirect to the next series of poses.

Take this as an opportunity to get a few great individual shots of everyone! Perfect to use for social media, invites, as well as share on birthdays! If you prefer a more casual lifestyle images you are welcome to use my studio as a location option! There are several rooms set up for this purpose. Once booked you will be emailed several great location options and be given the option to make suggestions if you have a place in mind!

I do recommend that you give yourself at least a month, closer to two before graduation so that you can send out announcements with the pictures we take. Senior portrait pictures are also ideal for graduation invitations. If you need the pictures for your school’s yearbook, you’d of course want to take that into consideration, as well.

For my senior girl’s portrait sessions, I often work with you to select the best outfits, accessories, props and locations to create a cohesive look. I shoot on location and have a nice array of pre-scouted locations to choose from. I’m also open to shooting at new places, so definitely share your suggestions.

If you are worried about what you might bring, no worries, friend. There are so many options.

Uniform: Are you going into the military? This is a great way to showcase who you are and where life is taking you. Not in the military? Uniforms could go for a workplace, band, or hobby uniform. Wear your favorite cooking or painting apron, concert-going outfit, or school uniform. 

Instruments: If you play an instrument, bring it, play it, rock it out! I want to see you in your element and capture this. 

Sports equipment: If you play basketball, football, volleyball, or any other sport, bring it with you. We could shoot the session on a baseball field or wherever you would like to incorporate your equipment! Bring your softball hat, glove, or knee pads. The options are endless. 

Food: Yes, food. You must be crazy to disagree. It is so much fun to bring a box of sprinkled donuts, a whole pizza, or the biggest cheeseburger in the city! 

Vehicle: You never forget your first car, or maybe borrow grandpa’s classic just sitting in the shop waiting for a great photo shoot! These personal items are timeless!

I am here to help you take the best photographs ever imagined! Regardless of what you end up bringing, I have the skills to work with it and make you comfortable. Let’s get it!

It’s the little things that can make a huge difference in the outcome of your photo shoot!  

1. Have your outfits prepared and laid out the night before. Make sure you iron and steam them to remove any wrinkles! If you are bringing a change, please don’t just throw them in a tote bag, this makes a huge difference in your images… Hang them up for a wrinkle free finish!
2. If you think of any new ideas for shots, or locations, feel free to message me! It’s a good idea to write these down, so you don’t forget!
3. Have your nails done the day before, and this goes for both guys and girls! For girls, make sure they are to your liking and no chipped polish!
4. Have a camera-ready face. For the girls, try to have a professional makeup artist do the job. They are skilled with foundations and products that won’t shine in photos or rub off on your clothes. For the guys, trim up the stray eyebrow hairs that stick out and dab on some chapstick. Dry lips are a no-no!
5. Schedule your hair appointments the week of the session, not the morning of! You don’t want to run late, and you definitely don’t want a recipe for disaster if the stylist doesn’t style it the way that you want! 

I just loved this outfit!  I’m pretty sure I need to have a skirt like that at some point in my life.

Breathtaking.

I always recommend that a friend comes along to my senior shoots.  They know perfectly how to make the client laugh naturally.   Plus it’s always a great extra shot that they can share!

Sometimes littles may not be interested in smiling on cue… this is totally normal!  Don’t stress out…  we will try several fun activities to get them into the swing of things.

Aren’t grandbabies the best?  They grow up so quickly and it’s lovely to have images to hang on your walls throughout the years!

So much love!  They laughed their way through the session, making things easy to shoot!

Lower park in Chico is a pretty spectacular location to shoot year around!  Fallen trees, pathways & filtered light never fail to produce solid images.

These steps remind me of the old building my studio is going in… nothing is square.  You straighten one thing up and something else looks a bit crooked.  Regardless of these settled steps, they framed her perfectly!

We wandered around the gardens that were already prepped for winter.  The stonework and frame of the lower levels were striking!

Dreamy winter golden light is unlike no other…  simply breathtaking!

Had to share a sweet pic of me holding my sweet little grandson Mason shortly after he was born.  Such a precious time in life!

We started in Marysville, CA and took a moment to pose next to a truck parked near the levy in the historic downtown area.  The gate to the garden in front of the huge mural honoring Chinese history in town was closed so we wandered around to see what we could find!

I love the lines of a great old brick wall.  You never fail to have an amazing head shot while leaning up against it’s rustic beauty.

Next stop, downtown Yuba City!  There are many great grassy areas to shoot in, a beautiful fountain nearby & some pretty fabulous buildings to check out!

I just loved this off the shoulder outfit.  Never be afraid to bring an outfit that you don’t get the opportunity to wear very often.  Bold colors and shapes pop off the images!

The sun was sinking quickly but we managed to get a few great shots near an abandoned bridge.  Her lacy jacket soaked up the sun and had incredible detail.

When you book your session, you will get some great advice on outfit selection as well as the perfect location for your senior session!  Book yours today!  I’ll leave you with a fun one she shot for her dad.