The Family Session Experience: Everything You Need to Know about Working with Me
Hey there! If you’re here, you’re probably thinking about booking a family photo session—and I totally get it. Getting your picture taken can feel awkward, nerve-wracking, and, let’s be real, sometimes a little forced. You might be worried your kids won’t behave, your partner will look less-than-thrilled (especially if it cuts into game time), or that everyone will end up looking stiff and uncomfortable.
That’s where I come in.
I’m a Memphis family and newborn photographer—and, as a mom of two, I completely understand those worries. (Confession: I’m a photographer and I actually hate being in front of the camera, unless it’s someone who can make me feel at ease!) That’s why my sessions are all about capturing your family’s authentic bond. I want you to feel comfortable, relaxed, and most importantly—like yourselves. No forced smiles, no awkward poses. Just real moments, real laughter, real closeness, and real connections.
Hi!
I’m a Memphis family and newborn photographer—and, as a mom of two, I completely understand those worries. (Confession: I’m a photographer and I actually hate being in front of the camera, unless it’s someone who can make me feel at ease!) That’s why my sessions are all about capturing your family’s authentic bond. I want you to feel comfortable, relaxed, and most importantly—like yourselves. No forced smiles, no awkward poses. Just real moments, real laughter, real closeness, and real connections.
A Fun, Laid-Back Photography Experience
When we’re together, think of it less like a photo session and more like a playdate with a camera tagging along. I’ll guide you through fun games, get you dancing, singing, running around—whatever brings out those genuine smiles and belly laughs. My goal? To create an experience your family actually enjoys. Most kids I photograph don’t want the session to end (yes, really!), and even the most reluctant dads usually walk away saying, “That wasn’t bad at all.”
No two sessions are ever the same because every family is beautifully unique. Even if I photograph your family year after year, every session will reflect your evolving connections, dynamics, and memories. I’ll help create moments of connection that allow me to capture those little sparks of emotion—the laughter, the chaos, the quiet tenderness—that tell your family’s true story.
You can read about my stress-free approach here.
From Booking to Delivery: How It Works
1. Inquiry & Booking Head over to my website to inquire about your session. Once you complete the inquiry, you will receive you an email with a booking link. From there, you’ll secure your session by paying a deposit and filling out a short questionnaire that helps me get to know your family.
2. Choosing Your Location Not sure where to have your session in Memphis? No worries! I offer location suggestions in the questionnaire, or I’m happy to help brainstorm the perfect spot. If you don’t select a location on your questionnaire, I will reach out a couple of weeks prior to our session and we can work together via text, email, or phone (whatever is best for you) to finalize the location and make sure we are all set! Some families may want to have their photo sessions in the comfort of their own home—this is a great way to capture memories in a meaningful spot. These sessions can be booked the same way as outdoor sessions, but please note the time will be late morning, instead of golden hour. I typically start in home sessions around 10:30am when the sunlight is streaming into the home best.
Two of my absolute favorite spots for family outdoor photo sessions are the Memphis Botanic Garden and various locations around Shelby Farms. Both offer such a beautiful variety of backdrops that it’s easy to create a diverse, visually stunning gallery from just one session. Both locations let us mix it up—whether you want lush gardens, open fields, or a hint of urban scenery, these spots offer it all. Plus, they give us the space to let your family relax, explore, and be yourselves, which always leads to the most beautiful, authentic images.
3. Prepping for Your Session Wear whatever makes you feel comfortable and confident—but if you need help deciding, I’m just a message away. Click here for some tips on what to wear to help you plan. Pro tip: Bring some small, mess-free snacks (mini marshmallows or Smarties work perfect and are easy to edit out if I need to) to keep little ones happy during the shoot.
4. The Day of the Session We’ll meet at our chosen location right on time (or a little early if your kids need a minute to warm up). Since I shoot outdoor sessions at golden hour, your session might be later in the evening—especially in the summer—so a late nap can help littles stay happy and energized. Please do not let your kids fall asleep in the car on the way to the session!
We’ll start with a relaxed family photo to help everyone get comfortable, then dive into smaller groupings and playful prompts. We’ll laugh, dance, and make some truly joyful memories. Most sessions last 45 minutes to an hour.
5. After the Session Within a day or two, you’ll get a sneak peek of your session—because I know how hard it is to wait! Your hand edited full gallery (40+ hand-edited images, typically a lot more!) will arrive in your inbox within three weeks, both in color and black-and-white. You’ll be able to download your favorites—or the whole gallery—in high resolution for prints or smaller files for social media.
You’ll also have access to professional prints straight from your gallery, including my stunning fine art deckled-edge prints—trust me, they’re showstoppers. If you need help selecting images or choosing custom framing options, I’m here to help every step of the way. If you want to work together to choose which photos to print, and how to frame them in your home, email or text me and we can set up a time to work together to bring the vision you have for your heirloom prints to life.
What families say about working with me
“Caitlin has captured my family of 5 two different times- once for a sibling shoot, and most recently, for a family session. She has so much patience with my 5, 3, and 1 year old kids and no matter their mood, she has captured the best pictures that I will treasure for a lifetime. I highly recommend Caitlin!”
“Caitlin is amazing, and we are so glad we found her. She makes our sessions so much fun, and has a lot of tricks up her sleeve to make my kids love having our photos done. She puts the entire family at ease and makes it a truly enjoyable experience. The photos speak for themselves and are truly some of my most treasured belongings.”
“Caitlin is extremely talented. Our photos were a wink from God when we needed it most.”
so, if you’re looking for a Memphis family photographer who makes the process relaxed, fun, and genuinely enjoyable, I’d love to connect. Let’s capture those messy, beautiful, authentic moments that make your family you.
