As meaningful as it is to have beautiful family photos that paint an authentic picture of your family and the love between you all, it’s common for parents to stress about making sure the pictures are as perfect as they can be. After all, family portraits are a financial investment and you want to make sure you love them! As a Mercer Island family photographer, I take the work and stress off your plate and take care of all the details. But one concern many parents still have is how they can make sure their kids smile well for the camera. Don’t worry, I have plenty of tricks up my sleeves, but here are a few tips on ways you can help.

Spring is such a beautiful time for outdoor photo shoots! The landscape is coming alive all around you and all the spring colors in the flowers and trees create a stunning backdrop for portraits. If you’re planning to take advantage of this gorgeous season for family portraits, maternity photos, or other custom photography, I’m here to plan your dream photo session with you. To give you a head start, here are a few tips for what to wear for spring photo shoots.

Family photos serve so many great purposes. They create an opportunity for a fun family outing, give you a lifelong reminder of this chapter in your family’s story, and give you a way to get stunning custom decor for your home. There’s another handy perk too: they make fantastic gifts. As much as your loved ones might enjoy seeing your family portraits on social media, they’ll be thrilled to be able to enjoy them in their own home too. During this season when you’re looking for special gifts for your loved ones, check out these popular ideas for premium photo gifts.