harrisburg nc family portrait captured against the fall trees in beautiful color

Family & Children Photography in Charlotte, NC

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CHARLOTTE PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHER FOR CHILDREN & FAMILIES

THE MOMENTS THAT MAKE A FAMILY

Family photography should feel natural, meaningful, and full of real connection. Before you’re in front of the camera, we plan your session around the relationships, personalities, and moments you want to remember. From choosing locations and styling to guiding movement and posing, I help your family relax, have fun, and be yourselves — so your images feel authentic, emotional, and true to your story.


charlotte family portrait captured of mother and daughter in uncc botanical garden hugging

The Art of Real Moments for your

Sessions that capture children or families should feel relaxed, meaningful, and true to who you are — not stiff or overly posed. That’s why the experience begins long before the camera comes out. We start with thoughtful planning to understand your family’s personalities, your style, and the kind of images that feel most like home to you. Together, we choose the right location, discuss wardrobe ideas, and create a vision that feels natural and authentic to your family’s current season of life.

During your session, I guide you through gentle posing, natural movement, and interactive moments so nothing feels forced. You don’t have to worry about what to do — I help with everything, from positioning each family member to prompting genuine connection and emotion. My goal is to create a space where everyone can relax, have fun, and simply be themselves.

Whether we’re capturing playful moments, quiet snuggles, or the beautiful in-between expressions that happen when nobody’s thinking about the camera, the focus is always on the connection you share. Every detail — the light, the composition, the way hands fall naturally, the expressions you didn’t realize you made — is guided and intentional.

After your session, you’ll have a viewing session to view your images and choose your favorites. From digital files to prints and artwork, you have full control over which images you select and how you display them in your home.

This experience is designed to feel effortless from start to finish — so you can focus on what matters most: simply being together and preserving the moments you’ll want to remember years from now.

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Charlotte nc children's portrait of a child first birthday photo session in studio with lighting
charlotte family portrait photograph in yellow autumn grass with backlight

Because the littlest people are the biggest part of your

Childhood moves quickly — and each year your child grows, changes, and becomes a little more themselves. Milestone sessions are designed to pause time for just a moment and capture who they are right now: their expressions, their quirks, their confidence, their imagination, and the little details that make this season of childhood unforgettable.

These sessions go far beyond school pictures. Instead of stiff poses or forced smiles, we create a relaxed, playful environment where your child can be themselves. We talk about what they love, what makes them light up, and how they see the world. Whether it’s a first birthday, a big milestone year, the pre-teen stage, or simply a moment you don’t want to miss, your session is crafted around their personality and their story.

Together, we plan a session that fits your child’s age, energy, and interests — from choosing the perfect location to styling outfits and creating a comfortable experience where they can naturally interact, explore, and express themselves. I guide them gently with prompts and movement so we capture a blend of genuine candid moments and beautifully posed portraits that still feel honest.

Childhood portraits are more than a record of what they look like. They’re a celebration of who they are becoming — right now, in this fleeting moment. Your images become artwork that preserves this stage of life in a way that feels meaningful, personal, and true.

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Charlotte family photographer captures childhood milestone images in black and white
charlotte nc children's photographer captures first birthday cake smash portraits
charlotte family and children's photographer captures portrait of sisters at uncc botanical gardens outdoors

The SNP Process

LET’S GET STARTED

Reach out through the contact form and reserve your date. Family sessions book quickly — especially in peak seasons — so the earlier you reach out, the more flexibility we’ll have with timing and location options.

DESIGN & PLANNING APPOINTMENT

We’ll meet (via phone or Zoom) for a quick planning conversation where we talk through your goals, the personalities in your family, wardrobe ideas, and the overall style you want. I’ll help you choose locations, coordinate outfits, and create a plan that feels relaxed and natural so your session flows smoothly.

SESSION DAY

Just show up and enjoy being together. I guide posing, interaction, and movement so nothing feels forced. With gentle direction and flexibility for kids’ personalities, I make the experience fun, easy, and stress-free. Your only job is to enjoy your time together — I handle the rest.

REVEAL & ORDER APPOINTMENT

After your session, we’ll meet for your in-person Reveal & Order Appointment to view your images and choose your favorites. If you have family members out of town or multiple decision-makers, we can schedule a Zoom reveal or share an online gallery so everyone can be involved in selecting the artwork and digital files that best reflect your family.

Investment

Family sessions begin at $150, with final pricing based on the number of family members included, your chosen locations, and whether you're planning an immediate-family session or a multigenerational gathering. At the heart of every session is connection — your family’s relationships, personalities, and the feeling of belonging you share. My goal is to capture all of that in artwork you’ll love displaying for years.

Milestone sessions also begin at $150 and are designed to capture who your child is right now — their expressions, curiosity, quirks, and the little details that change so quickly. Sessions can be simple and natural or more stylized depending on your vision. For themed birthdays, cake smashes, or sessions requiring props, wardrobe styling, or custom setups, pricing may vary to reflect the additional planning involved.

Whether we’re celebrating a first birthday, marking a big year, or documenting the in-between seasons of childhood, every milestone session is approached with the same thoughtful planning as family sessions. We’ll talk through ideas, choose a setting that fits your child’s personality, and create an experience that feels comfortable, playful, and authentic.

I know that preparing for photos can feel overwhelming — coordinating outfits, choosing a location, and hoping everyone cooperates — which is why I guide you through every step. I help you plan your color palette, style your wardrobe, and select locations that match the mood and final artwork you envision. During the session, I direct posing and interaction while staying flexible with kids’ energy and personalities so nothing feels forced.

After your session, we’ll meet for your in-person Reveal & Ordering Appointment to view your images and select the artwork or digital files that best fit your home and your family’s style. If you have family members out of town or multiple decision-makers, we can schedule a Zoom reveal or offer an online viewing option so everyone can participate.

This experience is relaxed, guided, and designed to bring out the best in everyone — so you can focus on simply being together while I take care of the rest.

Session Fees

Starting Packages $150

charlotte family portrait photographer captures family photos in uptown urban area of charlotte

Bringing your portraits to life

Your family portraits deserve to live in a form as beautiful and intentional as the moments they capture. I offer a curated collection of heirloom artwork crafted with premium materials, archival finishes, and timeless design — pieces that become part of your home and tell your family’s story for years to come. From handcrafted albums to statement wall art, every product is thoughtfully created to showcase your images with elegance, longevity, and a level of detail worthy of your memories.

Family sessions often include multiple generations, growing kids, or seasons of life you’ll want to look back on — which is why I focus on artwork that lasts. Whether you imagine a gallery wall, a coffee-table album, or framed prints for your home, we’ll select pieces that fit your style and the way you want your home to feel.

And for families who love sharing their portraits with loved ones, you’ll also have access to digital options within your collection — perfect for posting, sending to relatives, and celebrating your images online while still preserving them as heirloom artwork you can enjoy for decades.

harrisburg nc family portrait product framed image on wall

General Family FAQ

Family & Children Portrait

Frequently Asked Questions

  • I help you select locations that match your family’s style and the mood you want your portraits to have. Options include natural outdoor settings, parks, urban textures, lifestyle-inspired environments, and simple setups for children’s milestones.

  • I guide you through styling during our planning conversation and help you choose a color palette, tones, and wardrobe options that photograph beautifully. Families receive outfit ideas and guidance to make everything look coordinated and natural — without feeling overly matched.

  • Yes — I guide posing, spacing, and interaction for families, and I direct children with prompts that bring out natural expression. I pay close attention to hands, posture, and little details so everything feels polished yet relaxed.

  • If the weather becomes an issue, we can adjust the start time, move to a backup location, or reschedule. Your images should look and feel their best, and I’ll help you make the right decision.

  • I offer immediate-family sessions, extended/multigenerational sessions, and milestone sessions for children. Your session type depends on your goals — whether you want an updated family portrait, images of your growing kids, or a celebration of a specific age or birthday.

  • Most family sessions last 45–90 minutes, while milestone sessions typically range from 30–60 minutes depending on your child’s age and personality. Extended family sessions may require additional time.

  • Yes. Extended and multigenerational sessions can be added, and we’ll discuss group size and structure during planning so the session feels organized and comfortable.

  • Don’t stress — kids are kids, and I plan for that. I work with their energy, not against it, using gentle prompts and natural interaction to keep the experience fun. I mix structured posing with candid movement to bring out genuine expressions. You don't need perfect behavior — you just need to show up and be yourselves.

  • Absolutely. I guide your family with gentle posing, interactive prompts, and natural movement so nothing feels stiff or forced. I watch hands, posture, angles, and spacing — all the little details that make portraits feel polished while still capturing real connection.

Planning & Preparation FAQ

Contact Me

Children & Milestone FAQ

  • Milestone portraits are wonderful at any age, but the most popular stages are 6 months, 1 year, ages 3–5, and the pre-teen years. These sessions highlight the expressions, quirks, and personality shifts that change so quickly.

  • Simple milestone sessions don’t require props, but you’re welcome to bring meaningful items your child loves. Styled sessions (cake smashes, themed birthdays, custom sets) may include additional planning, props, or wardrobe styling and may be priced accordingly.

  • Yes — parents and siblings can absolutely be included. Just let me know during planning so we can design the session to flow well for your family.

IMAGES, ARTWORK & INVESTMENT FAQ

  • You will typically see your images within about 2-3 weeks. Most families choose to attend an in-person Reveal & Ordering Appointment, but Zoom reveals or online galleries are available if you have family out of town or multiple decision-makers.

  • Yes. All purchased images include natural, professional retouching that refines details while keeping your family looking like themselves — never overly airbrushed.

  • You can choose from heirloom albums, framed wall art, prints, canvas, and digital files. Everything is produced with archival materials and custom-designed to fit your home’s style and the way you want to enjoy your images.

  • Family and milestone sessions both begin at $150, with final pricing based on locations, family size, and whether your session includes styled setups or additional planning. You’ll select your images and build your collection during your reveal appointment.