How Motherhood Changed the Way I Photograph Families | Northern Virginia and Washington DC Family Photographer

When I first started photographing families, I focused so much on making every photo look perfect. Everyone looking at the camera. The kids with perfectly brushed hair. Smiles just so.

Then I became a mom myself. And everything changed.

I learned that real family life is not polished and posed. It is sticky fingers on your cheek, a toddler’s belly laugh, and quiet moments when you think your heart might burst.

Motherhood made me see just how quickly seasons change. How tiny hands grow bigger every night. How the days that feel exhausting are the same days you wish you could relive once they pass.

Documenting the Real Moments…

Now, when I photograph families in the Northern Virginia area, I look for truth and connection before anything else.

I care more about capturing the way your child runs into your arms than getting a perfect pose. I watch for the little gestures… the way your baby reaches for your face or how your partner looks at you when you are not watching.

Family photography should feel like your family. Imperfect, real, and filled with love.

Your Story Matters More Than Perfect Smiles

I know what it feels like to show up to a session worried if your kids will cooperate or if your hair is just right. As a mom, I promise you, the real moments matter so much more than perfection.

These photos will live on your walls and in albums for your children to flip through when they are grown. They will not care if you had flyaway hairs or if someone was barefoot. They will see how loved they were and how happy you were to be theirs.

What It Feels Like to Work With Me

When you book a family session with me in Northern Virginia or Washington DC, expect it to feel more like play than posing.

We will pick a location that feels relaxed, whether that is a favorite park in Loudoun County, a hidden garden in DC, or right in your own backyard. I guide gently but let your family lead the way.

My favorite moments happen when you forget the camera is even there.

Ready to Document Your Family’s Story?

A family session is all about preserving the love, laughter, and little moments that make your family yours. Whether we’re at your home, your favorite park, or exploring somewhere beautiful in Northern Virginia or Washington DC, my goal is to create timeless, heartfelt images that feel true to you.

Ready to make some magic together? Contact me now to book your family session. Want to see more of my work and get a peek behind the scenes? Come say hi on Instagram — I’d love to have you there!