Think coordinated, not matching.

Pick soft, muted tones that complement each other (creams, sands, sages, dusty blues) and skip the logos, neon, and busy patterns.

My advice for moms: choose your outfit first, something you feel genuinely good in, then build everyone else around it. And dress the kids in clothes they can actually move in. A comfortable kid is a happy kid is a photogenic kid.

Yes, I promise it will. I have a toddler too

I don't expect your kids to perform, and the session isn't built around everyone holding still and smiling at the camera anyway. We play, we walk, we throw kids in the air (gently, of course). Some of the best photos happen in the in-between moments, right after the posed one falls apart.

I'm a dad myself, so nothing your toddler does will surprise me.

Also, bring snacks and water. Food helps everything.

The hour or two before sunset gives the softest, warmest light, and it's my favorite window to shoot in.

That said, nap schedules win every time. A rested, fed kid at 10am will out-photograph a golden hour meltdown, no contest. Morning light is beautiful too.

Tell me your family's rhythm and we'll plan around it.

I'm based in Long Beach and photograph families all over Los Angeles and Orange County, so we have no shortage of beaches, bluffs, gardens, and parks to choose from. I'll recommend spots based on the look you're after and the time of day.

If you'd rather stay home, in-home sessions are a great fit for families with babies, and honestly some of my favorite images come from a living room with good window light.

You can also browse my locations guide on the Resources page.

Most family sessions run 45 minutes even though I plan for 1 hour.

Extended sessions are available for larger groups, or if you want more than one location or outfit change. Full collection details are on my family photography page.

Usually way more than I promise!

I deliver every good frame rather than culling to a number, minus the duplicates and the ones where someone blinked. For a standard session that typically works out to 40 edited images.

I genuinely want you to have all the good ones!

You'll get a sneak peek within a few days, because I know the waiting is the hardest part.

Your fully edited gallery is delivered online within two weeks, where you can download, share, and order prints.

You're not alone in that, and I hear it more than you'd think.

A lot of it comes down to direction rather than editing. I'll guide you into angles and movement that actually flatter, and most of the time you'll be looking at your kids instead of the camera anyway.

Every image you receive is fully edited, with subtle retouching where it helps. But the goal is for you to look like yourself on a good day, not like someone else.

Almost every family says this, and almost every family forgets about the camera ten minutes in.

I direct the entire session with simple prompts and a little movement, so you're never left standing there wondering what to do with your hands.

Just enough structure to make it look effortless.

Kids get sick and the weather turns, even in Southern California.

If your family is under the weather or the forecast falls apart, reach out and we'll reschedule. Give me as much notice as you can and I'll do my best to accommodate.

Your contract covers the specifics, but the short version is I'd rather move the date than photograph a miserable four year old.

Yes, please.

Just keep in mind that bigger groups take more time. The extended session gives us enough room to photograph the whole crew plus each individual family.

Dogs are welcome at most outdoor locations. Bring a leash and a toy, and if you can, bring someone who can take the pup once we've got the shots with them.

Your online gallery connects directly to a professional print lab, with archival papers that will genuinely outlast anything from a drugstore kiosk.

These are the photos your kids will pull out in thirty years, so they're worth printing well.

You'll also receive a print release if you'd rather print on your own.

For most of the year, two to four weeks out is plenty.

Fall is the exception. Holiday card season fills fast, so if you want an October or November weekend, reach out a month or two ahead.

I photograph weddings as well, so most Saturdays during peak season are already spoken for. Sunday afternoons around golden hour tend to work best.