families

honest, authentic, and emotive

vancouver family photography

A lifestyle family session is about finding the belonging between people. It’s about parents giving piggyback rides and blowing raspberries on round little toddler tummies. It’s about exalted moments like breastfeeding and mundane moments like making snacks, and every single silly, joyful, magical, comical, wild, painful, and ordinary moment in between, because you know … you KNOW, that all those moments are equally important in this journey we call life.

So whether we are relaxing in your home or playing at your favorite park, I am not there to photograph a parent, or a baby, or siblings. I am there to freeze in time the memory of a growing family. I may be in the background, giving “starting off prompts” as needed, or maybe I’ll be howling with laughter as I am chased around the swings by the kids, but there is no posing, no forced smiles. Of course, we will capture a family portrait for the grandparents. But otherwise, there is no right or wrong way for you to be living your life. Don’t wait until you have lost some weight, or the house is redecorated, or your tween daughter gets her braces off, or your toddler son calms down a bit.
The emotions that matter are happening right now.

HOW IT WORKS
INVESTMENT
FAQ

outdoor sunset sessions

Family with twins walking on the beach while holding hands in Barnet Marine family photo shoot.
Fun family photography session in New Westminster park with parents swinging 2 kids between them
dad throwing boy in air at Pitt Lake photo session
Asian girl laughs as she is being swung in a blanket in a Point Grey family photography session.
Extended family photography session with grandparents on a forested walkway in Jericho beach in Vancouver.
Boy laughs while riding on his dad's shoulders in Burnaby park.
Boy with missing front teeth in Vancouver family session
outdoor family photography session at Pitt Lake with Vancouver Family Photographer
Family of 5 pose for a family photo on the bridge at Jericho Beach in Vancouver.
girl holding moms hand from mom perspective
West Vancouver photographer captures cute moment of boy playing airplane on his dad's shoulders.
Dad and daughter laughing in the Pacific Spirit Park family photo session.
Mom and her son share a nose kiss while being photographed in a meadow by a Vancouver family photographer.
Family huddles around golden Labrador dog in Deer Lake family photo session.
mom dad and baby standing in front of lake and mountains at Pitt Lake
Cute 4-year old boy shows a Vancouver family photographer his age with his fingers.
Vancouver family photographer captures a tender moment between mom and toddler son, with him softly touching her cheek.
Boy cackles with laughter as he is being tickled by his family at Barnet Marine Park.
Special extended family photo with grandparents reading to grandkids while cuddled on a blanket in a Vancouver park.
Family dressed in grey and red giggle in this fall family photo session in North Vancouver park.
Big brother puts his ear against mom's pregnant belly in this faily maternity session in Port Moody.
Family walks on the beach at Ambleside in West Vancouver during a family session with their dog.
Dad leads his daughter to walk across a log at Jericho beach family photo session.
Mom lets her toddler boy fly high above her in Pitt Meadows family photo.
Mom and daughter lie on a blanket on the grass and share a tender look between them in this beautiful family photograph.
Girl lies in autumn leaves and laughs at the family photographer.
West Vancouver family photo session with dad tickling his oldest son while mom and little brother looks on.
portrait of a boy belly laughing while holding his tummy
Vancouver family photographer captures family of 4 sitting on a log in a Burnaby park.
Boy gently cups his dad's face in Maple Ridge photo session.
Latino dad cradles his teenage daughter in photo session in Port Coquitlam.
family photo session at Pitt Lake shows family walking with the mountain in the background.
Asian family of 5 walk on the beach in Vancouver westside beach park family photo session.
Teenage boy laughs as he is being tickled by his Pitt Meadows family during a fall family photo shoot.
Parent's point of view looking down at their son while holding his hand at a Jericho Beach photo session.
Burnaby family photographer catches a mom and daughter sharing a laugh.
Extended family session with grandparents and their two grown children's families with everyone walking towards the camera.
Couple hold daughter in Port Coquitlam photo session with Vancouver Family Photographer
Girl with closed eyes cuddles on her mom's chest.
Boy running through shrubs with his mom running behind him.
dad lifting girl into air at west vancouver beach family session
Couple smiles with their infant daughter in a park during a Lower Mainland family photo session.
Family photography in Vancouver park with mom, dad, and two kids.
Teenage brother and sister playfully wrestle in Burnaby family photography session.
Family of 4 walks through the fall leaves in Cates Park in North Vancouver.
Vancouver Family Photographer shows girl holding teddy bear in reeds during family photo session
Children running on the lawn towards the Vancouver family photographer at Vancouver beachfront location.
Jericho Beach extended family photo session with all the cousins playing in the water.
Boy with red hair laughs while riding piggyback in Vancouver family session.
Baby boy grabs his mom's hair while she laughs during their family photo session in Pitt Lake.
Vancouver family pose for a family photo with their dog during their family photography session in Queen Elizabeth Park in the fall.
Vancouver Family Photographer captured dad dipping his daughter and laughing
Grandparents frame their family with their hands in a backyard extended family photo session in Port Coquitlam, BC.
Twin boy and girl excitedly run under a blanket parachute during their Barnet Marine Park photo session.
This Vancouver fall family photography session shows dad walking with his daughter on a chilly autumn day.
Family photoshoot in West Vancouver shows two small boys playing in the beach sand while their parents kiss in the background.
Vancouver Family Photographer shows girl and dad doing nose kisses at sunset
Pacific Spirit Park family photo session with family and their dog walking in the forest.
Mom and daughter dance on the pier in Osprey Village during their family photo session.
Vancouver Family Photographer tells couple to swing daughter between them in David Lam Park.
Father and son spend a moment looking out over the Ambleside beach.
Burnaby boy giggles while getting a piggyback ride at their sunset family photography session in Barnet Marine Park.
tender moment between mom and dad captured by Vancouver Family Photographer
Pitt Meadows family snuggle together for a family photo.
Sunset family photo session in Burnaby shows little boy walking ahead of his parents on road.
Dad dips his young son towards the camera on Jericho Beach.
older brother hugging sisters caught by Vancouver Family Photographer
mom dad and baby standing in front of lake and mountains at Pitt Lake
Vancouver Family Photographer captures mom and girl hugging in fall leaves in Vancouver.
Latino dad and son laugh together with Pitt River and Golden Ears Mountains in the background.

indoor lifestyle sessions

lifestyle photos of kids feet with parents looking on
Inhome family photography at its best with laughing child sitting on the bed while parents are kissing in the background.
couple laughing with daughter captured by Vancouver Family Photographer
Silly dad and daughter kissing moment in Vancouver family session
Vancouver indoor family session shows mom and daughter tenderly rubbing noses
Lifestyle family session with dad walking down hallway holding toddler boys hands.
Vancouver family photographer session with two boys laughing on bed
overhead view of boy playing piano during lifestyle in-home family session
Vancouver Family Photographer shows mom and toddler reading book during Vancouver family photo session
Fun family photo of Asian parents and their son laughing on the bed in the master bedroom.
dad hugging boys while wrestling on bed shown by Vancouver Family Photographer
Dad and toddler son playing with toys on the living room floor.
boy playing in his room with superhero figurines in Burnaby family photography session
Vancouver Family Photographer shows overhead shot of baby girl in crib with parents holding her hands
dad and daughter with Vancouver Family Photographer looking out a bay window
4 siblings lying side by side on bed pulling faces at each other
mom helping to put on toddler's yellow tutu
lifestyle family photography session with family on bed hugging
boy reading in chair in Burnaby family photo session
little toddler hands hugging dad's neck
Twin girls pulling funny faces while lying on bed with parents looking on amused.
Toddler boy looks through the glass of a patio door.
Overhead image of parent and child reading a board book.
Couple look down at their baby girl with her hand curled around dad's finger in tender Vancouver family photo session inside their home.
dad colouring with kids during family photoshoot
girl jumping on bed in bedroom with bookshelf displaying kids books during indoor family shoot
Peek a boo view from outside a bedroom of parents playfully interacting with their young son on the bed.
Two girls jumping wildly on their parents' bed in fun Vancouver family photos.
dad hugging older boy from behind
girl with blue eyes lying on bed with parents during Port Coquitlam family photo session
Dad and daughter sitting in beautiful light next to a window while he tenderly strokes her hair.
Two girls hugging their parents' legs in their in-home family ession
Two parents measures toddler's height on a growth chart.
tender family photography moment with girl sucking her thumb while lying on dad's chest
funny coquitlam family photo with dog licking mom's face
dad dressing toddler daughter, her adorable little belly showing
Mom cuddles and tickles 2 young daughters on the bed during fun Vancouver inhome family photo session
Mom and young son sit on the couch deep in conversation during Coquitlam family session.
overhead shot of girl with glasses and missing front tooth laughing
Big family hug during in-home family photography session in Vancouver.

the process

Vancouver Family Photographer shows dad hugging boys

01.

The penny drops

That moment you think to yourself “They are growing up too fast. When you feel that stirring of unease in your belly that life is flying at breakneck speed. When you find yourself inexplicably crying your eyes out over an outgrown onesie. THAT is when you call me and book a family session. There is a way to make time stand still for a bit.

02.

Getting to know you

Rest assured that a session with this Vancouver family photographer is a completely customized experience. I send you a questionnaire that delves into who you are as a family, what is important to you, and basically, what makes you rock. Based on your answers, I plan a session that tells your story authentically and with so much heart.

03.

Prepping made easy

I know the stress that can come with session prep. Usually one superhero (ahem: Mom!) is responsible for getting everyone outfitted and presentable and snacked up, and prepping the house or getting everyone in the car. I’m with you every step of the way with Pinterest boards, styling advice, checklists, and reassurances that everything will be ok!

04.

It’s Photo Day!

It’s here! Prepare to have a fun, relaxing and memorable session where you feel like you’ve had a chance to truly connect with your family, and shown off the dynamic that makes your story unique and special. There will be playing, there will be laughing, and there will be hugging.
So. Much. Hugging!

05.

The Big Reveal

Within 2 weeks of your session, your full gallery will be presented in a tear-inducing slideshow. Watch (and rewatch!) and decide which collection to purchase. I’m sure you are going to love them all, but my commitment to you is always to only buy what you love, so choose the collection that fits your family’s needs best.

06.

Let’s talk about art

Your photos are part of your story as a family, and it makes no sense to keep those memories sitting forgotten in a dusty corner of your hard drive. Every collection includes a print credit to be used on prints and products to display your gorgeous family photos in your home.

Investment

“BUY ONLY WHAT YOU LOVE”

By splitting up the total investment into two parts, you are assured you’re only paying for the images that you love. Pay the session fee before the session to cover my time preparing, photographing and editing. Then, after you see your photos, you can choose to purchase collections containing 15, 30 or all the digital files. I include gift print credits so your precious memories end up as printed art in your hands.

Session Fee

$250
This fee is non-refundable and payable before your session. It covers my time spent working with you before and during the session, including session preparation, capturing your photographs, and editing your images.
No photos are included in this session fee.

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Collections

STARTING AT $500
After your session, you purchase the collection size that works best for your family. Collections all include a number of digital files and a gift print credit that can be used for prints and products in the online store.
The session fee is NOT applied to your collection.

Get in touch for more info!

…she captures those little moments that you want to bottle forever…

I cannot gush enough about the magic Rochelle created with our lifestyle shoot!
It was time to update our family photos and I wanted to capture us as we were, a chaotic family, a busy house with 4 crazy kids. Rochelle seemed perfect for that kind of shoot, but we got more than we expected.
Not only was Rochelle amazing with our kids (including winning over our shy bug and deftly handling our wild child), but the whole experience was easy. So easy.
The best part though, were the shots of the kids. She captured these wild creatures in their natural habitat! I will be able to look back on these photos years from now and I will be transported back to this house, the girls colouring and playing with Shopkins, my son’s obsession with Lego and how they played together. Whether reading as a family, lounging on our bed or making a snack- those simple moments were made magic by Rochelle as she got shot after shot of personality and love in our small interactions.
I cannot recommend her enough for a family lifestyle shoot, as she captures those little moments that you want to bottle forever.
Shannon M.

have questions?

As a Vancouver family photographer, I travel to outdoor session locations like parks, beaches, forests, and urban locations all around the Vancouver Lower Mainland. We decide on the location together, based on your family dynamic, what look you’d like to achieve, and also where you live.

Indoor sessions are held … well, in your home!

You don’t need a designer home with floor to ceiling windows to have an absolutely gorgeous in-home photo session. The beauty of any house is vested in the people that call it home, and seeing your growing family in the surroundings where they feel most comfortable, will make for authentic photos telling an authentic story. In most houses, the main bedroom and the living room receives the best light and so we will use that most, and we will have a few shots in the kids’ room. A simple declutter (read: throw everything into the closet) in these 3 rooms is all that is needed to get your home ready for the session.

I typically book out one to three months in advance, or even longer in busy seasons like fall. So even if we don’t decide on an exact date, let’s at least pencil in something, so you are on the books, and will get priority in booking the exact date closer to the time.

This means that typically, summer sessions start around 8pm , fall session around 5:30pm, winter sessions around 3pm, and spring sessions around 7:30pm. If you have little kids, this may very well mean that a session can start when they’re supposed to be in bed. Let me assure you that most families manage to make an exception to this for just this one day by creatively shuffling the day’s schedule and adding an extra late nap. Because sessions are play-based, your little ones won’t even notice that it is past their bedtimes when we are having fun and running around. If this is absolutely impossible for your family, then consider a morning sunrise session, or a session later in the year when sunset is earlier.

It’s all about the light! When the sun is positioned overhead in the sky, the light is very harsh, and it creates very hard shadows everywhere, including your face. When photos are taken during the day with sun overhead, you will see dark circles under your eyes (think raccoon eyes!), and people will be squinting because it is so bright. There is nothing flattering about this . As a Vancouver family photographer who is not willing to compromise on the quality and consistency of my work (and what you pay for), I only shoot during golden hour, when the sun is low in the sky, and bathes everyone in beautiful flattering soft swaths of light. Golden hour is the hour before sunset, and the hour after sunrise.

I wouldn’t be a real Vancouver family photographer if I didn’t take the rain into account! I check the forecast 3 days before the session. If it looks like it will rain, I will be in touch to schedule an backup rain day. On the morning of your session, I will make a final decision on whether to go ahead with the session, or move it to the rain day. And if you are an adventurous family looking for one-of-a-kind photos, consider a session IN the rain – as long as it’s not pouring or storming out, we will capture wonderfully fun memories.

There is no need to buy a new outfit for every family member (sorry, shopaholics!). Lifestyle sessions are meant to focus on the relationships between family members, and not so much the clothing that they wear. As such, the general guidance I have is to not wear clothing that takes the focus away. Otherwise, be yourself and be comfortable. I truly believe that the interactions and expressions in the photos we create together will be what makes you treasure an image, not so much what you’re wearing or where you’re standing. After booking your session I will send you a complete session guide with home prep advice, clothing guidance, etc.

Each collection offers some (or all) digital files. In addition, I offer unique, heirloom products to show off your beautiful images in your home, which can be purchased using the print credit included in every collection.

I look at each and every image I take at your session and hand select the best images. I am looking for images that are genuine, relaxed and full of natural connections (and flattering to all family members!). I pick a minimum of 60 images (usually more!), so you can be assured you’re getting a great variety of poses, angles and storytelling moments.

The pandemic has certainly taught every Vancouver family photographer how to offer sessions that check all the safety boxes! It goes without saying that the health and safety of both my family and yours is front and center in my mind at all times. I will be rescheduling your session if anyone in my household has displayed any symptoms related to the flu within 10 days of your session, and I ask that you do the same. In addition, upon request, I can wear a mask during the session, and I practice very strict hand hygiene, sanitizing my hands several times before, during and after our session.

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