When I first began, family photos were an obligatory hassle parents endured for a single updated portrait to share with their extended families each year. The posed, forced-smile photos earmarked how much the kids had grown and new additions. Although those portraits made for beautiful holiday cards, they were never my client's favorites.

Their favorites were snapped in between poses. When the kids were goofing off and they couldn’t help but laugh at them. Those perfectly imperfect photos are what they pinned to the fridge, framed on nightstands, and reminisced over when family would come to visit.

I decided to focus on what my families truly cherished the most—genuine connection. Now my sessions are centered around documenting those moments and posed portraits are merely a footnote.

The best place for those moments is where they happen the most ... at home. It only took one at home session for me to see the value in meeting families exactly where they’re at. Coming to them brought a true sense of ease and comfort to getting their photos taken. The parents are less stressed, the kids have more fun, and the photos are rooted in the magic of their daily life.