Photos for Families
I take photos that look like you and your family…
…not some Pinterest perfect family dressed in matching linen, but the chaotic and lovable mess that is you guys!
Hi, I'm Karen. I take family photos.
I want to capture the real life you. The moody toddler with messed up hair and bad attitude toward strangers. Your 8 year old daughter who lives and breathes dance and only dresses in pink. Your 12 year son who REALLY doesn’t want family photos thanks! Your 17 year old who now towers above you and pats you on the head.
Sessions are relaxed. I talk too much (sorry!) I’ll keep us on the move, I know better than anyone that standing still for too long in front of a camera makes you suddenly realise you’ve got hands! I ask too many questions, and somewhere in there I get the shots. I’ll guide you where and when needed, but if you guys are having fun, I’ll let it go. No fake smiles. Just your people, doing their thing.
What does a session actually look like?
We can shoot at home or outside, wherever your family feels most like themselves. I keep things moving (especially handy if your kids are a tad busy…) and I'll talk you through everything so nobody's just standing there looking awkward.
Why book with me?
I've been doing this long enough to know that the best photos happen when people forget I'm there. I work with your family, not against it. Shy kids, reluctant partners, babies who won't cooperate. I've seen it all. We'll figure it out.
Ready?
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I take photos. But I also do so much more than that. I capture a moment in time. A memory. My sessions are relaxed, unforced and (hopefully) fun.
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I hope that it will feel more like I’m hanging out with your family for a catch up rather than a photography shoot.
I like to move. People are so much less self conscious when moving. So we keep moving.
And I’ll talk. And ask questions. And I’ll chat non-stop.
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Yes. Let's do!
We have 2 main options - in-home or outside.
For outdoor shoots, I have a range of locations around Albury-Wodonga and North East Victoria that I love to do sessions at. I will suggest some if you want. But I'm always keen to learn about new ones, or particularly locations that mean something to you. Tell me! I want to hear it.
The other option is an in-home session. I love the unique feeling of an in-home session. It's your home. It's where you and your family feel the most comfortable. Kids can be themselves, without having to be on their best behaviour out in public! There is something so special about being able to capture those memories for you in your home. And one of the best parts? You don't have to bundle everyone up in the car and stress about being late...
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Ummm, no. I love lived in homes! You'll want to do a quick tidy up, putting toys and clothes away. When I arrive, I'll ask for a quick tour of your house, and I'll suggest 2 or 3 rooms we're likely to take photos in.
So I do suggest clearing off your bedside tables, leaving a lamp and a book, but hide phone chargers, baby monitors, tissue boxes etc. And remember that the your choice of bed linen can be just as important as your clothes! If your rooms are particularly dark I suggest lighter coloured doona covers.
If your lounge room backs onto your open plan kitchen, again just a quick tidy up of bench tops is generally all that's required.
But your house does not need to be ready for the cover of Vogue Living. I have kids. I know what real life is like. And please don't stress, I am the last person to judge you!
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Really, these can be done at any time! If you’re after the whole orange, glowing sunset look, then I suggest we start around an hour before sunset, but otherwise, as long as we’re in an area that has some open shade (ie some trees) then we can make any time of day work.
I understand families and dinner times and early bedtimes and all that. And I’m more than happy to work around your family schedule to make it work.
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I get asked this a LOT. There is no hard and fast rule as to what to wear. This shoot is for you and your family, so my first piece of advice is to wear what you're comfortable in, what represents you. If you NEVER wear dresses, don't feel like you should wear a dress. But if you've decided you love photos with wind blowing a linen dress and that's what you want then do it!
If your kids hate shoes, let them go bare foot (if it’s appropriate). If they love gumboots, I love that too!
Most importantly, wear something comfortable. If you or your kids aren’t comfortable, it will show in the photos. Sorry, I can’t edit that out!
Remember, you want the photos to represent who you are, not what you think you should look like.
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We will reschedule. I will find a spot to fit you in on my calendar at a time and date that suits, and we'll try again! I will reschedule for rain, storms, stupidly freezing conditions or crazy winds. However, clouds and grey days, although not golden and glowing still make for beautiful photos.
And I get it, kids get sick, so do we adults sometimes! If I am sick, I absolutely will not do a newborn session. I don't want to be that person. So I'll call and we'll book it in for another date.
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I will photograph babies of any age. It doesn't worry me if your baby is 1 week or 1 year. I don't spend hours trying to get your baby to go to sleep, I'll photograph them cuddled in your arms, or laying in their cot, or on your bed. They can be awake or asleep. I really don't mind.
I suggest that newborn in-home sessions are done in the mid morning and can take between 1-2 hours, depending on how settled bub is, how crazy the other kids are (if you've got other kids!). I'll stop for feeds and settling.
I will ask you if you want some photos while you're feeding. Feel free to say no if you don't want any. But if you do, these are for your eyes only. These moments are precious and tender, and they are yours.
Oh, and if you do book a newborn session let me know how you take your caffeine, I will arrive bearing coffee for you poor sleep deprived souls!
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If you don’t want me to post any of your photos on social media, please let me know. I’m more than ok if you’d rather not, I understand people wanting privacy, particularly where their kids are involved.
If you don’t mind me sharing, thank you! Word of mouth works so well, particularly for my little business, so being able to share some of our images helps!
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If there is anything else you're unsure about , just pop me through an email and I'll answer it as best I can.
Pricing:
The Essentials Package: $799
$200 booking fee + $599 session fee
Approximately 1 to 1.5 hours on location, 10 professionally edited images, and everything you need to make the most of your shoot, including a welcome guide, online gallery, and access to my print shop.
Additional images available at $60 each, or upgrade after your session once you've seen your gallery.
Extended family sessions (additional family groups): $100 per family.
Optional Upgrades:
After your session, and you’ve viewed your full gallery you have the option to upgrade:
The Keepsake Collection: + $300
Upgrade from 10 to 20 images
The Complete Collection: + $450
Your full gallery of 50+ images, plus an A4 fine art print and a custom slideshow to keep.
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Please note minimum photo package is $799 (see pricing page for more details)
NB: extended family session may incur extra fees and travel outside of the immediate Albury-Wodonga area may incur extra travel fees