… Who Will Truly See Your Story
“We should book family photos this year.”
It’s a thought that floats through many of our minds – especially as birthdays pass, seasons change, graduations approach and our little ones seem to grow overnight.
Finding the right family photographer isn’t just about nice pictures. It’s about choosing someone who understands the beauty of legacy – who sees the way your child reaches for your hand, or the way your laughter folds into one another’s. It’s about more than a session. It’s about remembering who you were together in this chapter.
If you’ve ever wondered how to choose a family portrait photographer, you’re not alone. Whether this is your first time booking or you’re looking for a new creative partner, I’m here to help you approach the process with clarity and calm. No pressure, no overwhelm – just timeless photographs that honour your family’s story, year after year.
This post offers helpful and clarifying questions as you navigate choices around documenting and preserving your family’s beautiful life. You’ll also get a glimpse into the Heima Photography full service experience too!
Q: What should I look for when hiring a family photographer?
It’s true, there are many talented photographers out there. But not all are the right fit for your family, especially when you’re looking to create something that lasts beyond this season.
If you’re wondering how to choose a family portrait photographer who can capture your story with authenticity and artistry, consider these factors carefully:
1. Start With The End
Before you even type anything into your google search bar, think about how you envision preserving this season in your family’s life. What do you want to do with the images your photographer will create? (Check in: What did you do with them last time?) Then, move into your search to choose a photographer that offers services and an experience that will bring your vision to life.
2. Artistic Style
Take time to explore portfolios and ask yourself: Can I see our family in these images? Whether you’re drawn to true-to-life colours, earthy tones, playful characteristics or a more editorial aesthetic, your photographer’s style should feel like a natural extension of your home and story.
3. Experience with Children
Photographing kids isn’t about poses—it’s about play and presence. A skilled family photographer knows how to gently guide children, keep the mood light, and create space for real connection to unfold naturally.
4. Setting and Location
Whether you feel most at ease nestled into your home, surrounded by wild prairie, or in a cozy studio, choose a photographer who offers locations that reflect your family’s rhythm and values.
5. Comfort and Connection
The right photographer won’t just take your picture—they’ll see you. A warm, trustworthy presence behind the camera makes all the difference. When you feel safe to be yourselves, your legacy shines through.
At Heima Photography, I believe family photos are much more than a Pinterest board’s checklist or quick digital update to post on socials—they’re an invitation to slow down and see one another fully. Rooted in intentionality, I guide families with care, allowing space for laughter, quiet moments, and all the in-between magic that makes your story yours.
💫 Fun fact: Once upon a time, I used to teach elementary grades 1-5. I love working with children – their creativity, honesty, playfulness – and I love that I get to use my experience as a teacher in my photography work.
Whether we’re creating portraits in your home or chasing golden light outdoors, my goal is the same: to craft photographs that feel like you—honest, beautiful, and deeply meaningful. Images that won’t just live on your phone, but on the walls of your home and in your hands for years to come.
Q: What can I expect during a family photography session?
A meaningful family session should feel like time well spent – full of interaction, play, and presence. My role is to create an experience that’s relaxed and intentional, never stiff or overly posed.
Here’s how the process unfolds…
Before the Session
We’ll plan together for an experience that brings your vision to life – planning for the pieces that will bring your memories to life in your space, and then choosing a location that suits your family’s rhythm and selecting wardrobe pieces that photograph beautifully and reflect your personal style. I’ll guide you through everything so you feel prepared, not pressured.
During the SessionExpect laughter, movement, and small moments that matter. I’m photographing with your end vision of wall art, album or other pieces in mind so that the result will be exactly how you want to remember this season.
After the Session
I edit each image with care and intention, preparing your portraits to tell your family’s story with heart. Depending on the vision you had in our planning, I’ll bring your memories to life tangibly through heirloom albums, printed keepsakes and wall art.
To learn more about the process and options for preserving your family’s memories, click here
Q: What should we wear for our family session?
This is one of the most common questions I hear – and for good reason. What you wear doesn’t just affect how you look in your photos, but how you feel. And when you feel beautiful, confident, and at ease, it shows.
Here are a few simple, thoughtful guidelines to help you choose well:
- Begin with Mom
Start with one outfit – often Mom’s – and build around it. Choose something that makes you feel comfortable and confident, with texture or movement that photographs beautifully. - Think in Tones, Not Matchy
Instead of identical outfits, choose 3–4 complementary tones and build a cohesive palette. Neutrals, soft earth tones, textures and gentle patterns/florals often work beautifully together. - Keep It Timeless
Avoid logos, busy graphics, and neon colors. These draw the eye away from what matters most: your expressions, your connection, your story. - Need Inspiration & Help?
I offer a curated outfit guide to help you feel fully prepared, along with personal styling suggestions as we prepare for your session.
For a more in depth guide to choosing the right outfits for your family session, click here!
Q: How do I prepare my kids for the session?
It’s completely normal to wonder how your little ones will do—and here’s the good news: they don’t need to be perfect. They need to know they can be themselves. ✨
My teaching background has taught me not to plan, but to prepare. Over the years, I’ve found things rarely go the way you plan – but that’s the authentic, playful beauty of it all, right? I’ll always guide you as we prepare for a session so that if everything that could go wrong does, we’ll still have a beautiful representation of your connection. A few gentle tips can help set the tone for a relaxed, joy-filled session:
- Talk About It Ahead of Time
Let your children know what to expect in a way that feels exciting. Frame the session as an adventure, not a chore. When they sense your calm and enthusiasm, they’ll be more likely to show up with open hearts. - Snacks Are Your Secret Weapon
A full belly goes a long way toward happy faces. Arrive at your session location early to offer a nourishing snack before getting your child’s outfit on (which also gives them time for warm-up/settling in a new location). Bring a hidden, quiet and mess free one along to the session as well, just in case. - Consider a Simple Incentive
A small treat or family outing afterward can be a sweet way to keep energy light and playful. Do keep in mind the developmental stage of your child, however – if they are not able to navigate delayed gratification, your moments for connection and play will be cut short with impatience that ice cream is not happening right now. 😉 The incentive method works well with older children. - Let Go of Perfection
Truly—don’t worry if your child wants to twirl, explore, or snuggle in your arms the whole time. These real moments are often the ones that matter most. My job is to meet your children where they are and photograph the beauty that unfolds naturally.
💡 Tip: Ensure that you plan parent breathe time on the day of your session too. Steam your dress the day before. Eat enough protein. Do as many ahead of the day tasks as you can so that you lighten the load on your session day. Kids will always reflect the stress of their parents – and giving yourself the adequate time to prepare and nourish your body on your session day will reflect in your children’s ability to be at ease as well.
Q: When will we get our photos?
Two to four weeks following your portrait session, you’ll come to my studio for your Presentation and Ordering Appointment. It’s during this meeting that you’ll get to experience your portraits for the first time. This appointment is also where you get to finalize your decision for how you will preserve your family’s memories.
You’ll get to select your favourite images for your wall art pieces already planned, or your heirloom album to storytell this season, or the keepsake prints to cherish (ie. the perfect grandparent gift) – all tangible ways to bring your memories to life in your home, not just your hard drive.
For all wall art, I come and install the pieces in your home upon completion. If you envision your memories living within your space, I always recommend finding a photographer who offers the full service experience. They will have the connection to quality products, ease in navigating technical jargon, expertise in preparing a photo in digital form to look amazing in print as well as skills to properly install the art in your home.
💡Tip: If your family’s life schedules are full or your profession isn’t a handyman, I always suggest the full service approach. The average professional wall gallery installation takes 2-4hrs!!! in its entirety. Trust me, it’s not exactly the most stress-free experience to DIY if you want precision, ease and enjoyment. When it’s done for you, you get to just walk into a room and enjoy.
Q: How much does family photography cost?
Family photography is more than a snapshot—it’s a way of honouring your family’s story as it unfolds. Investment can vary depending on a photographer’s expertise, as well as the products and services they offer. At Heima Photography, your investment depends completely on the vision you have for preserving your family’s memories. General Collection investment begins at 1200 and goes up from there. All Collections are custom-designed around your vision.
Each collection is designed to not only capture your family beautifully, but to help you preserve those memories in tangible ways—so they’re not just seen, but held.
Click here if you’d like more info on choosing the right fit Collection for your family – I’d be honoured to walk you through it. If you’ve been searching online for advice on how to choose a family portrait photographer who offers both expertise and heart, I’d be honoured to walk you through the process.
It’s Really All About You
Family photos aren’t just about looking at the camera—they’re about remembering how it felt to be together in this season.
These are the moments that become your family’s legacy. And when you’re learning how to choose a family portrait photographer who can preserve that legacy well, trust and connection matter just as much as technical skill.
If you’re ready to create something meaningful together, I’d be honoured to help tell your story.
xo,
Breanne
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