Family Photography in Jacksonville & St. Augustine

One of the things I love most about family photography is seeing how families interact with each other. Every family is a little different. Some are quiet and reserved, some are loud and playful, and some have so many people involved that just getting everyone in one place feels like an accomplishment.

I photograph families throughout Jacksonville, St. Augustine, and Northeast Florida, from parents with young children to large gatherings with grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and multiple generations. My goal is to make the experience organized and enjoyable while giving you photographs that you’ll be happy to have around your home for years to come.

I’ll Help Keep Everyone Organized

Family sessions can involve a lot of moving parts, especially when there are young children or a large extended family involved. I know that getting everyone dressed, ready, and in the same place can already be a project.

Once we’re together, I’m happy to take the lead. I’ll give clear directions about where to stand, where to look, and who’s up next. With larger groups, that helps us move through the photographs efficiently instead of leaving everyone wondering what they’re supposed to do. I usually start with a photograph of the entire family and then work through smaller groupings. Depending on who’s there, that might mean individual households, grandparents with grandchildren, siblings, each side of the family, or a group of all the cousins. If there’s a particular combination that’s important to you, we’ll make sure to include it.

Young children can be unpredictable, and that’s completely normal. One little trick I use is asking the adults to keep looking toward my camera while I work on getting the child’s attention. That way, when the child finally looks up, everyone else is already ready for the picture. Sometimes that means making funny noises or moving around a little to get a reaction. Whatever works!

The Fun Moments Matter, Too

Of course, I want to get the photographs where everyone is looking at the camera. Those are important, especially when you’ve managed to get the whole family together. But I also love the candid moments.

I’ll often encourage parents to play with their children rather than simply stand still and smile. That might mean lifting a child into the air, a little tickling, or just giving everyone a chance to laugh and interact naturally. Those moments often end up being some of my favorites because they show a little more of what your family is actually like.

I think there’s room for both. You can have the classic family portrait for the wall and the photographs that remind you how much fun everyone had together.

A Few Tips Before Your Family Session

My biggest recommendation is to make sure everyone is comfortable, especially the kids. Clothes that look great but feel itchy, shoes that hurt, or outfits that make it difficult to move around can quickly become a distraction. Comfortable children generally have a much easier time enjoying the session.

When choosing what to wear, I usually recommend coordinating outfits rather than dressing everyone identically. A shared color palette tends to look more natural in photographs than having everyone in the exact same bright color or busy pattern. Simple matching outfits can certainly work, too. The goal is just to make sure the clothing doesn’t distract from the people in the photographs.

If you’re bringing younger children, it’s also a good idea to have snacks or something to entertain them while we’re photographing other family members. That can be especially helpful during extended family sessions with lots of different groupings.

Family Photography Collections

I offer two family photography collections:
45-Minute Family Session — $385
90-Minute Family Session — $450

Both options give us time for posed family portraits and more natural interactions. If you’re planning a large extended family session with lots of different group combinations, the longer session may be a better fit.

Photographs are delivered through an online digital gallery with a print release. I don’t place a set limit on the number of photographs delivered, although the final number varies by session.

Photographs That Become More Meaningful With Time

One of the most rewarding parts of being a photographer is hearing from families years after their session. I’ve had clients reach out after losing a grandparent and tell me how grateful they are to have photographs of them with their children or grandchildren. Those messages mean so much to me.

It’s easy to think of family photos as something you schedule, get dressed up for, and check off your list. But over time, they become a record of who was there, how everyone looked, and what life was like during that chapter.

I love knowing that the photographs I take end up framed around people’s homes or in albums on coffee tables, where families can enjoy them long after the session is over.