Reasons you should invest in family photography

Have you ever had a professional family photo session? If the answer is yes, that’s great!!! I hope you’ve printed some of your family photos and they’re decorating the walls of your home!

If you answered no to that question, what’s holding you back?

I’m writing this blog post to share with you reasons why you should invest in family photos.

documenting your right now

If you have a little one you know they grow tremendously fast. Time doesn’t keep! A reason to invest in family photos is to document your right now. What does your family look like? Which toys and books is your child’s favorite? What does your home look like?

getting photos with your pets

For in home family sessions it can be pretty easy to include family pets, but it’s not to say that we can’t include pets for outdoor sessions! I’ve had several family sessions that included dogs and cats and it’s something I cherish of my own family photos! Pets are our family too.

you deserve to have actual professional non-phone pictures and non selfies!

When you think about your own family photos, who typically takes them? Is it you? Do they also include selfies? I have these too!

But I would recommend once a year you should be intentional and schedule a professional family session with a photographer! You deserve to be in front of the frame just as often as your family members.

a photographer will see your family in such a beautiful way!

This goes without saying that other people, in this case a photographer, will likely view you different than you view yourself or your own family.

By using a lifestyle approach you’ll be directed to do small actions that cause the most candid and real reactions. And typically this helps the families relax and spontaneously have connection with family members that help tell a story in the images!

a photographer will also view your home in an artistic way that you might not have thought about

If you’re thinking you want to hire a photographer for an in home family session, that’s so great! There are SO many benefits of in home sessions.

One of the most fun things about photographing families in their homes is using home elements, couches, color, texture, patterns to compose images and to help see your home in an artistic way that you may not have thought about. I’ve experienced hiring a photographer for my own in home family photos and it can be pretty mindblowing how another person can view your home.

memories to look back on

When your photographer clicks the shutter button at the right time when you’re playing that silly game, or when your toddler makes that scrunch face, or when the family piles onto the bed. You’ll have these images to look back on and to talk about what was happening!

It might not feel like you “need” a professional family photo session. But if you invest in a photo session if your family you’ll be so glad you did!

Location Ideas for your In Home Family Session | Bethesda Maryland Family Photography

As a Bethesda, Maryland family photographer that offers in home and outdoor sessions, I love sharing tips to families that will help them prepare for a lifestyle family session.

In this blog post I have written about some areas in your home that we can include for your next in home Bethesda family session.

living room/couch

We started this family session in the living room. Once we got a few everyone-look-at-the-camera shots we moved onto the more fun stuff!

As a parent to my very own young child I know the importance of getting cute photos of the children. These boys have a very strong interest in cars and trucks so naturally we included the toys into the session.

Lifestyle family photography isn’t about forcing everyone to be somewhere they don’t want to be and forcing them to do something they don’t want to do.

The lifestyle family sessions that I offer as a Bethesda family photographer are laid back and it’s understood that we have to be flexible and not have super high expectations for children. When we allow them to lead the activity everyone is happier!

entrance/front door

The front door is another area that I like to use when I’m photographing a family for indoor family session in the Bethesda Maryland area. There’s usually an abundance of natural light which helps to use for the images, while also allowing room to create more dynamic images with shadows.

I love the dramatic image of the little one standing in front of the door!

a window

When I’m photographing families for inhome sessions there are usually some amazing windows that can be used in an interesting way. I told this mama to sit in the window with her youngest so I could focus on her connection with her baby boy. We didn’t want to exclude big brother so we brought him into the photos too.

an area with toys or books

Kids will be kids and it’s important to have an area set up for the child to engage in an activity. This could be a social game like running, playing chase, hide and seek and/or dancing. It could also be a toy area such as a playroom or nook of a family room to embrace play.

We incorporated this special rocking horse and spent some of the session reading books outside to keep the boys interested and engaged.

outside

I knew upon being in this family’s home that we needed to use their sunroom for family photos. We gathered everyone on the floor and got this gem of a photo. Is it perfect? Probably not. Is it silly? You tell me! I love this one. Each family member is making a genuine expression and it helps to tell the story with two young boys.

While we were in the sunroom we took advantage of the time and got some photos of mom & dad and some with the kids.

The very last photo is included here to show really what to expect from a lifestyle family session. It can be chaotic! And I’m totally here for it.

Interested in scheduling your family photos? Send me a message!

Relaxed Family Photos at McCrillis Gardens | Bethesda Family Photography

I have had several family sessions at McCrillis Gardens and I definitely wanted to share this beautiful family’s session on the blog!

If you’re new here, welcome!

I’m a lifestyle family and newborn photographer in the DC area. I offer relaxed family sessions for laid back families looking for photos to show connection and emotion. I offer sessions in Washington DC, Maryland, and Virginia and all in between!

If you’ve been here already and you’re familiar with my work - welcome back! So happy you’re here.

I love having family sessions at this beautiful hidden garden in Bethesda. McCrillis gardens has several beautiful plants, flowers, and scenery right in a little tucked away garden in Bethesda. There are several areas I like to use at McCrillis and they include the foliage, the bridge (of course because I love TEAL), the trees, the greens, and the house to name a few. There are some areas I like to use at each session but I’m very flexible and family sessions can actually vary per family. There are several unique areas and I love incorporating new spots to photograph!

Other sessions on the blog taken at McCrillis Gardens:

5 tips for Successful Family Sessions

What I look for in a Session Location

The twins were new walkers and I wanted to make sure I spent some time documenting this amazing milestone while they were holding onto Mommy and Daddy. We moved around and a few times to have variety at this family session and we ended snuggling on the blanket.

During your family session I will pose and guide you in great lighting and scenery and I will photograph sweet moments of your family interacting with each other. I do tend to take a few “everyone look at me for a second” photos at the beginning, but once we’ve got those we shift over to more relaxed, organic photos that actually show emotion and connection.

Have you recently had your family photos taken? Send me a message and we can schedule your family session!

Urban Photo Session Location Idea in Bethesda, Maryland

Have you ever thought about the best location to have your family photos? There are a few things I like to consider when planning a location for a family session and I figured it would be a great way to showcase this family! Keep reading if you want to learn a few reasons why you should consider an urban location for your family photo session.

1. colors and textures

   When it’s possible, I always try to look for colors, textures, and patterns when I am photographing children and families. I think it makes the photo more interesting. Downtown Bethesda was a perfect area to have a family photo session because of the leading lines, the buildings, and all of the colors and patterns. All of this came not only from the nearby shops, but also from the colorful plants and outdoor furniture.

   An area like this is best to shoot early in the morning before the crowds come. If you and your family are morning people, this is the perfect idea for you!

2. change of scenery

   There are several different types of locations you can choose when you plan your family photo session. Some families may choose a park location because they like the open field and trees. You may choose your home because you just had a baby and you want the intimate space. Having your photo session at an urban location may not seem traditional, but I think it’s great to incorporate a variety of interesting elements that you may not get in a different location.

   The DC area is filled with many areas that are similar to this one in Downtown Bethesda for that urban feel. Let’s think outside the box!

3. interesting art

   One thing you’ll find when you venture out and have your family photos at an urban location is the opportunity to find cool art! This was my second time at this location and I didn’t realize the fun mural on one of the walls. We took the opportunity to bring the boys over there and it was perfect!! They were the perfect size to showcase the wings.

   Do you need help planning the best area for your upcoming family session? Send me a message and I can recommend some areas in the DMV once I get to know your family a little better.

Bethesda Family Photography | Tabitha Maegan Photography

I am a little behind my blogging from my summer family sessions here in the Washington DC area so today I am sharing this sweet family with you! I have booked many sessions that include newborns and toddlers and I couldn’t wait to photograph this family with young twin boys. We had our session at McCrillis Gardens which is in Bethesda, Maryland and McCrillis Gardens is great for a lifestyle family session! At the beginning of my lifestyle sessions I try to get the family close together either sitting or standing and go from there. The boys were a little shy to warm up but they quickly relaxed and it was as if they forgot I was there photographing them.

What I really enjoyed about my time with this family was the ability to focus on their dynamics and close relationship with one another. I definitely got some shots of just the boys together and wanted this lifestyle family session to focus on the interaction between them. This family was so playful!

You’ll notice in a lot of my work that one person may be looking at the camera and that’s on purpose.

I try to have a main purpose for each image, whether it’s a portrait or a feeling. Some of my favorite lifestyle images is when no one is looking at the camera and when the family is interacting and looking at each other.

The lighting was perfect at McCrillis gardens because we were able to get many family images and portraits, and we spent the last bit of our session towards one of the back gardens where the sun was setting. The lighting was incredible and I love the haziness. I definitely like playing with light when the location allows for it.

How do you want to feel when you see images of your family? Leave a comment below!