EMBRACING THE REALNESS OF FAMILY PHOTOS
There’s something really special about family sessions that don’t go perfectly to plan. No perfectly curated outfits, no calm breeze, no pristine hair—but instead, moments that feel wildly real. When I met up with Kellie, Liam, and their two gorgeous boys for a beach session, the wind was relentless. Hair in mouths, sand everywhere, baby blankets flipping inside out… and yet, it was perfect in its own way.
Kellie and Liam were such good sports. With a 12-week-old in arms and a two-year-old racing circles in the sand, they didn’t try to fight the wind—they embraced it. We laughed through hair-whipping gusts, caught moments in between flying curls, totally leaning into the joy of it all. The result? A gallery of images that feel raw and real. Because that’s exactly what this stage of family life is—chaotic, unpredictable, and so deeply beautiful.
Family photos don’t need to be polished. They don’t need to look like everyone stood still for a perfect Pinterest moment. In fact, the magic usually lives in the in-between. In the way a toddler grips his dad’s fingers, or how a mum instinctively tucks her baby tighter when the wind picks up. These are the details we forget unless we freeze them in time.
My goal is never to force a smile or pose you like a statue. I gently guide when needed, but mostly, I let your family be just that — a family. What shines through most in your photos is connection.
After the family session wrapped, the boys went off with their grandparents, and I had the chance to sneak in a quick engagement session with Kellie and Liam. It was such a beautiful contrast—going from the joyful chaos of parenting to a few quiet, intimate moments just the two of them. The wind was still wild, but there was a softness to the way they moved together. It felt like witnessing two sides of their love story in one afternoon.
This session was a perfect reminder that sometimes, the most meaningful memories come from letting go of perfection. The wind will blow, the kids will wriggle, someone will definitely get sandy—but within that beautiful chaos, real moments shine through. And those are the ones worth keeping forever.
If you’re dreaming of a family session but worried your little ones won’t sit still or that the weather won’t play nice—let this be your sign: that’s exactly the session worth having. I’ll be there to chase the light, catch the chaos, and help you hold onto a moment in time that already feels like it’s flying by.
