A joyful toddler girl laughs while being lifted by her father in a sunlit forest, with her smiling mother nearby.
Two parents lovingly kissing their adorable baby on the cheeks outdoors in a warm family portrait.
A mother and two young children lying on a white blanket on green grass, smiling and cuddling together outdoors.
A smiling woman holds a young girl as they touch noses in a warm golden sunset light outdoors.
Three happy children hugging and smiling outdoors on a sunlit forest path during autumn.
A young boy holds a wooden toy airplane while sitting with his mother and sibling on a blanket outdoors.
A father tenderly kisses his baby girl's cheek while holding her in a sunlit forest setting.
Family of five walking on autumn forest path, smiling, surrounded by golden fall foliage and warm sunlight.
A smiling father hugs two laughing children outdoors near a tree in a warm autumn family portrait.
A mother kisses her smiling young son on the cheek while holding him outdoors among red autumn foliage.
Smiling baby in overalls holds parents hands while learning to walk outdoors in a sunlit forest setting.
A smiling woman poses with two young children among lush green and red berry bushes in a garden setting.
Black and white photo of a happy family with three children hugging their parents in a backyard.
Two parents kissing their baby on the cheeks in a sunlit forest clearing with lush green grass.

Family Session Guide



Yay, you’re booked!


I know getting everyone ready for family photos can sometimes feel like a bit of a mission, so I’ve put everything you need to know in one place.


But honestly, don’t overthink it. Your kids don’t need to be on their best behaviour, nobody needs to practise smiling, and you definitely don’t need to spend the drive there telling everyone to behave for the photographer.


Come as you are. We’ll let the kids be kids, have some fun and I’ll guide you through the rest.


You’ll find all the handy stuff in here — what to wear, what to bring, what to expect and a few things that’ll help you get ready for your session.


Can’t wait to photograph you guys!

Smiling baby in overalls holds parents hands while learning to walk outdoors in a sunlit forest setting.

WHAT TO EXPECT

RELAX, I’VE GOT YOU

 

Family sessions with me are pretty relaxed. I’ll give you plenty of direction, so you don’t need to worry about knowing what to do.


We’ll walk, play, cuddle, chase the kids around and probably embrace a bit of chaos along the way. Your kids don’t need to sit still or smile at the camera the whole time. In fact, I’d rather they didn’t.

 

Mother embracing two young children among vibrant red berry bushes in a lush garden setting.

WHAT TO WEAR

KEep it simple

 

You don’t all need to match. Pick a few colours that work nicely together and go from there. Neutrals, earthy tones and soft colours photograph beautifully, and adding different textures always looks good.


Try to avoid big logos, really bright colours and super busy patterns.


And if you’re stuck, send me a photo of what you’re thinking. I’m always happy to help.

 

A woman in a white gown holds a baby between brick pillars surrounded by lush greenery.

NEED SOMETHING TO WEAR?

I’VE GOT A FEW OPTIONS

 

I have a small client wardrobe with a few dresses you’re more than welcome to borrow for your session.


If you’d like to wear something from it, just let me know. You’re welcome to come and try things on beforehand, or I can bring a few options along to your session.


And don’t feel like you need to buy a whole new outfit just for photos. I’m always happy to help pull something together with what you already have.

 

Mother with freckles tenderly kissing her baby wearing a pink bonnet in autumn leaves.

ABOUT THE KIDS

LET THEM BE KIDS

 

Please don’t worry about whether your kids are going to “behave” for photos. They don’t need to sit still and smile at me for an hour.


Try not to put too much pressure on them beforehand. Tell them we’re going somewhere to hang out and have some fun rather than giving them a big rundown about having to be good for the photographer.


Make sure they’ve had something to eat, bring a snack for the little ones if you need to, and leave the rest to me.


Shy, wild, clingy, grumpy, loves the camera... I’ve seen it all.

 

A young boy holds a wooden toy airplane while sitting with his mother and sibling on a blanket outdoors.

WHAT TO BRING

YOU WON’T NEED MUCH

 

You really don’t need to bring a lot. Water and a couple of non-messy snacks for little ones are always handy.


If it’s cold, bring warm layers that we can pop on between photos. And depending on our location, comfortable shoes for the walk in are a good idea — you can always change once we get there.

 

A mother and two young children lying on a white blanket on green grass, smiling and cuddling together outdoors.

THE WEATHER

I’LL KEEP AN EYE ON IT

 

Don’t panic if the forecast says cloudy or there’s a chance of a little rain. Cloudy skies can give us beautiful light, and a bit of rain is often something we can work around.


Wind is actually the one I watch the closest. Once it starts getting up around 25km/h or more, it can be much harder to work with than a bit of rain... hair and dresses flying everywhere, kids getting cold and, at the beach, sand blowing around.


I’ll keep an eye on the forecast leading up to your session and make the call if I think the weather is going to affect your photos. Sometimes that might not be until the day of your shoot because, well… New Zealand weather.


If we do need to reschedule, we’ll find another date that works.

 

A joyful baby smiles while being held up by a parent outdoors under a cloudy sky.

IF SOMEONE IS SICK

JUST LET ME KNOW

 

If anyone is feeling unwell leading up to your session, flick me a message and let me know.


I photograph lots of newborn babies, so I’m pretty careful around sickness. We can always work out another plan if we need to.

 

Two young siblings sitting on a wooden fence at golden hour in a green field, smiling for a portrait. Katie Charlotte Photography

ON THE DAY

A COUPLE OF LITTLE THINGS

 

Try to arrive a few minutes early so we’re not rushing, especially for evening sessions when we’re working with the last of the light.


Once we start, you can leave the kids to me. You don’t need to stand behind me telling them to smile or look at the camera. Sometimes the best thing you can do is forget about me and just hang out with your family.


If you’re running late, just send me a message as soon as you can.

 

BEFORE WE MEET

TELL ME A LITTLE ABOUT YOUR FAMILY
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What are they like? Shy, outgoing, cuddly, independent, absolutely full of beans? What makes them laugh? What are they obsessed with at the moment?

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If yes, tell me what you’re thinking. You can also send me photos beforehand if you want another set of eyes over everything. If you haven’t decided yet, don’t panic — have a read through the outfit section of this guide and flick me a message if you need help.

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Seriously, tell me. Whether you’re worried your kids won’t cooperate, your partner hates photos, you feel awkward in front of the camera or you’ve had a bad experience with photos before — it helps me to know.

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