My Best Tip for Your Next Family Session | Washington DC Photographer

I have to share something really exciting that I did recently: I hired a photographer to take our family photos for the first time.

Yep, the first time ever. Crazy, right?

Over the years I've been the one documenting our family's daily life (after all, I'm the one wielding the camera), but I decided it was past time for me to get in the photos too.

And I'll be honest, it was an eye opening experience to be on the client side of a photography session for once. Leading up to our session I was a bundle of nerves.

All I could think was:
Would my son like our photographer?
Would my hair cooperate?
Was I wearing the right thing?

And the worst: Why didn't I get serious about losing 20 pounds earlier?!!?

Crazy nervous, I tell you.

But you know what happened in the end? I loved it. Every single second of it. Even when my son was being a cranky-pants, even when my hair was out of control, and even though I didn't lose a single pound first.

And even more, I love the images I have now that captured it all. Even better: I'm in the photos too. Because not only do I have these images to look back on, but now my son will have images with me in them look back on too.

And you know my biggest family photo tip? Relax and have fun. I know, I know. Easier said than done, but as soon as you let go and embrace your beautiful family imperfections (crazy hair) and all, the better your photos will be.

I hope that was helpful and makes your next family session much more FUN - because that is what it should be. If you have any suggestions for how you like to prepare for your sessions, or any other questions you would like answered, contact me and let me know.

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Kate Juliet Photography specializes in natural maternity, newborn, baby, and family portraiture in the Washington DC and Northern VA area.
All studio sessions include access to the studio wardrobe for mothers and babies to borrow clothing for your session.
Contact me to begin planning your custom portrait experience.

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Adorable Baby Kingston | Fairfax VA Newborn Family Photographer

After doing his mom's maternity session I was so thrilled to meet adorable baby Kingston! I met this handsome new family member at his home in northern VA. Baby boy Kingston has a wildly adorable big brother named Leo and they are just too sweet together. I have to say, Leo is one of my most favorite little guys that I have ever photographed. He was a blast at his mom's maternity session and that definitely carried over to his little brother's newborn session too. I seriously love toddlers, they are so much fun.

I have recently started incorporating more lifestyle images in my newborn work and I am so happy to be doing it. My newborn sessions include a mix of naturally posed newborn images, and lifestyle images capturing the new family together in their home. I love capturing families how they are everyday in their own homes. It also gives me an opportunity to incorporate treasured items in a session. I love the colorful blanket we included here. It's not only gorgeous, but it's meaningful as well, and I love capturing that for my families.

Here are some of my favorite images from baby Kingson's newborn session, enjoy!

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Outdoor Field Family Photography Session | Arlington VA Family Photographer

I first met this family last year for baby girl Griffin's newborn session last year and I was so incredibly happy to see them again this Spring for an outdoor family session in my favorite field location. I knew they would be so much fun to work with and they did not disappoint! Griffin has gotten so big since the last time I saw her, she is definitely in toddler territory now! She spent most of the session exploring and trying to keep up with her two older brothers. Her brothers in turn were so amazing with her. I always love seeing how older siblings interact with their younger counterparts. It's such a special relationship and it never fails that the older siblings are so in tune with what the younger ones need. These two brothers were no exception. They were so fun to be around and I loved getting to hang out and play with them for an hour. They ran around, they competed to see who could jump higher, and I had a blast watching them all together.

Here are some of my favorite images from our session together, enjoy!

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I don't take these photos just for you | Washington DC Newborn Baby Photographer

It's been a whirlwind around here lately. I love photographing mothers and babies, so many gorgeous families, but I think it's time I confess something that might change the way you view what I do:

I don't take these photos just for you.

I love showing moms how beautiful and gorgeous they are. They, you, are my client and I will always take the opportunity to show you how amazing and wonderful you are with your children. But the honest truth is, I don't do it just for that.

I take these images for your children and grandchildren to have one day.

I take them so one day you can share stories with your children of how they were when they were small. So they know how you were with them. So they can see how from the very beginning they were loved so very much.

I do it so your grandchildren know what their parents looked like. To show how all of you have the same color hair, that dimple in your right cheek, or the same eyes. These images are proof that you were young once, just like them, and that you too were a parent who had no idea what you were doing, but you loved them so hard that you tried everyday to do better than you did yesterday. 

I do it because photographs aren't just images to be looked at. They are stories that you share. They are memories and shared histories.

They are how we remember and are remembered.

And I think that's worth capturing.

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