I look forward to photographing this family each year. Some examples of the sessions we have done together include newborn, 6 month, and 1 year photos. I’m so grateful for families that return each year to document how their families grow.

This blog post includes information about lifestyle family photography with two young children!

If you have two young children you know that it might be a little unrealistic to have super high expectations of how the children will act on the day of their session. Children often have their own agenda and it’s not unusual for them to want to explore a little bit during an outdoor family session.

As a Northern Virginia family and newborn photographer, Tabitha Maegan Photography offers laid back sessions for families that are looking to embrace the “right now” even when it feels chaotic.

At the beginning of each lifestyle family session I find it helpful to take the family portraits with everyone close. When possible, I love when the parents are holding onto the little ones. We only get a few years when they are this age so I make sure to tell parents to hold them for a few photos!

If the children aren’t really interested in the posed portraits of the family, we move onto another idea. Instead of forcing smiles, we go with the flow and embrace their feelings and emotions (within reason).

We spent some time getting portraits of each of the boys. Portraits of children can include them standing or sitting and looking at the camera and smiling, but portraits can also look like a child not wanting to leave their mother’s arms because they feel safe. We will make it work! They are both portraits and both beautiful.

During outdoor family photo sessions in the Northern Virginia area, it’s important to know that kids will explore, they might get fussy, they might laugh uncontrollably, but I guarantee one thing you’ll have a chance to present with your little one.

There’s usually time during the family session when children want to be with a preferred parent or want to play a game. These types of interactions create genuine connection and emotions. As your family photographer, one of my jobs is to document those moments. For you, for your children. For this moment in time.

It’s such an honor meeting new families and seeing families return. I get to play with the kids, talk with the parents, and help to photograph this moment in time.

I find that when parents and children are more relaxed during the session, we get the best family photos.

Can you imagine what a session of your family would look like?

Send me a message and let me know ideas you have for your family photos and we can take a look at our schedules!