Family Photos with Adult Children | Sacramento Family Photographer

How do we take our family photos with adult children?

People ask how I plan to photograph their family with adult children, or teens, or any older kids. My answer is the same way I photograph families with younger children. Family dynamics and genuine interactions aren’t dependent on the age of your offspring. If anything, they’ve developed stronger connections to you as a parent as they age.
Sacramento Family Photographer Photos with Adult Children

Families are families are families. I enjoy getting to know you and your children, even if they are adults, your grandchildren, and your pets.

Walk me through a family session

You’ll notice, for those of you who come back to me year after year, I spend a lot of time holding my camera down to my side. I thoroughly enjoy chatting with you and feel our time is best spent bonding and connecting before I ever lift my camera or press the shutter.

Family Photos with Adult Children

We walk. We talk. It is like a fun family day with a weird paparazzi following you around.

Once I get a feel for your crew, I start setting up some images. It is more prompts and light direction based on your personalities than strict posing. I want your images to reflect you and your family.

With adult children I treat them as I treat you. As a peer. As someone of value in your family. They bring a lot to the table and I want to get them out of their shells. This is my life’s goal especially with teens, to make them feel beautiful and crack some authentic smiles.

Family Photos Matter Adult Children

Family photos matter

It doesn’t matter if your family is spread across the country or live in the same house. It doesn’t matter if your kids are grown and you have hundreds of photos of them already. Any time is a good time to schedule family photos. They matter. Most important – getting YOU in the frame with your adult children is critical. It is everything.

Even when your children have grown, I am happy to put you all in front of my camera and give you some images you can look back on and love.

Let’s also get parents in front of the camera alone. Your family started with the two of you, and it’s as important to document a few frames of the two of you as it is to capture your whole family.

April 27, 2018April 27, 2018

Sacramento Family Photographer | Topher + Oscar

This family. It started out as a mini-session and ended up an hour long walk along the river, chatting, chasing their adorable son, and getting to know each other. I can’t even describe how much fun it was photographing this crew. They adopted little R and he is their whole world. The way this boy lights up when he’s around his parents is the absolute best.

We met near the river, close to their home. They like to walk here in the evenings and spend time enjoying Sacramento. I love when my families choose a spot that has some sentimental value. It makes the photo session easier and the images mean more. Little R knows this area and feels comfortable there, so it was easy to capture his real personality. Children are creatures of habit. If I can’t come into their home for photos I enjoy taking them to a spot they feel 100% comfortable. This means anywhere outside for most little ones. They need to be able to explore and run and play while we take photos. Hands down, my favorite images are those showing real emotion and that only happens when I can get a child to open up and be themselves.

This boy likes to run. Fast. We played and laughed and I captured some really awesome images of him, full belly laughing. His sweet face and spirited personality were awesome, and reminded me of my own kids. I can’t even imagine how much fun every day is in their home. I am so happy for this family. Their adoption, beautiful life, and son are everything. I follow them on Instagram and enjoy watching this child grow up. I hope they have a wonderful year and I look forward to “seeing” them online and watching their family adventures!

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January 23, 2018January 23, 2018

Day in the Life Folsom Family | Liz + Joe + Addie

These people are just the best. I first met Joe and Liz way back when for their engagement and wedding. They started their family soon after. I got the chance to meet their daughter when she was still a budding little bear in her mama’s tummy. Liz wanted to do something different for their family holiday photos. She decided a “real life” session, baking cookies (which they brought to a holiday party that afternoon), playing, and snuggling, would be perfect. I met up with them in the morning and hung out for a few hours. It was pure joy watching them laugh and enjoy each other’s company.

I love how easily Liz and Joe love each other. They are so fond of the other and it shows. Little Addie is a spit-fire. Which is really no surprise considering her mother. It was hard to pull myself away and stop shooting. There is something so raw and full of life in a “day in the life” session at home. This little girl was absolutely herself. No holds barred. I know I have mentioned this before, but it is so easy to be home for your family session. You do not need a model-home perfect house. You only need YOUR home. Everything in your space has meaning to you. Documenting one day of semi chaos is so much more personal than any other session could be. By letting go of the idea of false perfection you allow the most intimate, sweet, and perfectly real moments to happen. All while surrounded with the people that matter most.

Thank you to Liz and Joe for having me back to photograph their family again and again. I absolutely love seeing families grow, and it is always a blast hanging with these two!! It is all Pitbull singing, dancing, good times and I adore you all!!

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