Services

Family Portraits

Warm, guided sessions for every generation of your family. No stiff rows, no forced smiles.

Family portrait session by Emily Kathryn Photography
The Experience

The Family Session

Family sessions are all about connection. I photograph the way your toddler reaches for your hand, the look your kids trade when they think nobody's watching, and the way the whole group softens on the rare day everyone is actually together.

We'll meet in the hour before sunset, when the light turns warm and forgiving, at a place that means something to you: the Chatham countryside, a garden, the dock at Smith Mountain Lake, your own backyard. Sessions run about 45 minutes to an hour, enough time for real variety without anyone hitting a meltdown.

Family portrait in warm evening light
Portraits made to hang above the mantel, not sit forgotten in a folder on someone's phone.
Emily Kathryn
Multi-generational family portrait at a country cabin
After the Session

What Lands on the Wall

I'll direct the whole session gently, mixing composed groupings with the in-between moments where everyone forgets the camera. Afterward we'll sit down together and decide what the gallery becomes: a framed piece for the living room, an album, a print for the grandparents, digital files to keep.

The session covers the shoot itself, and every decision about what comes home waits until the finished gallery is in front of you: the sizes, the framing, the wall each piece is headed for.

Portfolio

Family Portfolio

Booking

How Sessions Work

Family Session

One guided session, planned with you and directed the whole way. Framed artwork, an heirloom album, and your digital files are chosen at the ordering appointment afterward.

  • Guided session, 45 to 60 minutes
  • Outdoor location
  • Up to 6 family members
  • Professional retouching & online gallery
  • In-person ordering appointment
Inquire for Detailed Pricing
FAQ

Common Questions

What to wear, what to do about the little ones, and when to book for the light you want.

Ask Me Anything Else
When is the right age for family portraits?
There’s no stage worth waiting for. I photograph brand-new babies, busy toddlers, moody teenagers, and grandparents, sometimes all in the same session. The right time is whenever you can get everyone together.
Can we bring our pets?
Yes, pets are family and they’re always welcome. Whether it’s a golden retriever who steals the show or a cat who tolerates exactly one photo, we’ll make it work. Bring a helper if you can, so someone can take the dog once its part is done.
What should we wear?
Coordinate, don’t match. Pick two or three colors that sit well together and let everyone dress like themselves within that range: soft neutrals, earthy tones, muted blues and greens. Skip big logos and neon brights. And if you’re second-guessing anything, send me outfit photos beforehand and I’ll happily weigh in.
What if my kids won’t cooperate?
This is the number-one worry parents bring me, and it’s completely normal. I’ve photographed hundreds of families, and I know how to work with kids of every temperament. We’ll keep things playful, take breaks when somebody needs one, and let the giggly moments happen between the planned ones. Those are usually the photos families end up framing anyway.
How long is a family session?
Most family sessions run about 45 minutes to an hour. That’s enough time for real variety without anyone burning out, especially the little ones. If you have a big family or want extended-family groupings, we’ll plan a bit more time.
When is the right time of year for family photos?
Virginia gives you something in every season, but early fall and spring book heaviest: October color in one, dogwood and soft green in the other. I schedule sessions in the hour before sunset, when the light is warm and flattering. Fall weekends fill months ahead, so reach out early.
Do you help us choose wall art sizes and framing?
Yes, always. At your ordering appointment we look at the finished gallery together and talk through the room the portraits are headed for: above the mantel, along the stairway, the big empty spot at the lake house. I’ll recommend sizes, framing, and groupings to fit the space, and if you bring a photo of the wall, I’ll show you exactly what works.
What does a family session cost?
The session fee reserves your evening and covers the planning, the guided session itself, and professional retouching. Framed pieces, albums, and digital files are chosen at your ordering appointment once you’ve seen the finished gallery, so you only pay for what you want in your home. Reach out and I’ll send the detailed pricing guide.

One Afternoon, Everyone Together

Rounding everyone up is the hard part. The rest is my job. Tell me who's coming and the kind of session you're imagining, and I'll plan an evening your family will actually enjoy, with the photographs to prove it.

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