Lifestyle Family Portraits

It’s basically the opposite of stiff studio portraits with everyone frozen in forced smiles. I’m there to capture the in-between stuff – cuddles, chaos, giggles, snack breaks, all of it. Less "look at the camera" and more "look how you are together."

Outdoors in beautiful Northland light or at your home (yes, even if it’s a bit messy, that’s not a problem). I’ll help you pick a spot if you're unsure. Think beaches, foresty corners, wild grass fields, or just the backyard where your dog digs holes.

If it’s just a bit gloomy, we roll with it – cloudy skies make for great light. If it’s a sideways-rain, nope-we-can’t kind of day, we’ll reschedule. No extra charge. You’re not locked into anything miserable.

Yep. Totally okay. I don’t expect kids to perform – they can run wild, warm up slowly, bring a favourite toy, whatever works. I’ll guide gently and adapt on the fly. Your job? Just love on your people and let me handle the rest.

Pretty much everyone says this. Don’t stress, I’ll gently direct you through things so it never feels cringey or awkward. Think movement, cuddles, chats, little prompts – not stiff poses. You’ll be too busy having a nice time to worry about angles.

Pets? Totally fine. Grandparents or extended family? Yes, but you'll need to book the Extended Lifestyle Family Session to make sure we’ve got enough time and space to include everyone properly. More people = more moments to photograph = more time needed. Just let me know who’s coming and I’ll recommend the right option for your crew.

Think comfy but considered. Not too matchy-matchy, not too flashy. Neutrals, earthy tones, and layered textures always photograph well. Avoid giant logos and neon if possible. After you book, I’ll send through a styling guide and help if you’re stuck.

Yes. All kinds, always. Blended families, same-gender parents, multicultural households, chosen families, single parents, bonus parents, grandparent carers – every dynamic is welcome and celebrated. Just be yourselves.

Around an hour, but I don’t set a timer. If we’re vibing and the light’s still good, we’ll keep going a bit longer. If the kids are done after 45 mins, that’s okay too.

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Life happens, I get it. If someone’s unwell, just let me know as soon as you can and we’ll reschedule.
First time? No stress, no penalty. If it happens more than once, I may ask for a doctor’s certificate or apply a rebooking fee, just to protect the time I’ve set aside for your session. Thanks for understanding!

Absolutely. If you’ve got a favourite spot, great. If not, I’ve got a shortlist of local gems– some well-known, some tucked away. We’ll chat about what suits your vibe.

Yep, I photograph all over Northland and beyond. If your session is outside Whangārei, a travel fee will apply – calculated based on distance. Just flick me a message with your location and I’ll let you know the exact cost (or we can keep it simple with “plus travel” if you’re just in the early stages of planning).

Yes, and they’re beautiful! Proper matted prints, frames, fine art albums… all designed to last longer than your camera roll. You’ll get access to all the options once your final gallery’s ready.

Send me a message and tell me a bit about your crew. I’ll check dates, send over the session details, and once you're ready, it’s just a session fee and a contract to lock it in.

I keep it real. I’ll edit for colour, light, and little distractions (like that rogue tissue in your pocket). But I won’t change how you look. If you’ve got a specific thing you’re self-conscious about, let me know and I’ll photograph you with care.

Sure do. You can book them separately or roll them into a family session if that feels right. Maternity sessions can be just you or the whole gang. Newborn sessions happen at home, usually sometime in the first few weeks.

Yes, some of your final photos will be in both colour and black & white (where it suits the vibe). If there’s a particular one you want in B&W, just ask.

Yep, can do! Just flick me a message and we’ll work something out.