FAMILY: Family Portraits in North Park

FAMILY PORTRAITS

Something I really love? Every family I photograph is different.

Some families arrive neatly pressed, smiles at hand, and ready to make perfect images. Others show up cranky, tired, noticeably stressed, and the session runs similarly. Still others show up like this family. As themselves.

Arriving as is, ready for anything, and not worried about what anyone thinks about it. Ah, this is perfection for me as a photographer. My whole goal in my professional life has been to capture real personalities.

Real is elusive in this day of curated online facades.

A minimalist home office with a wooden desk, a transparent acrylic chair, and framed family photos on the wall. The desk holds notebooks, a clear tray, a pencil holder with pencils, and a cup. The setup is on a white wall with a light-colored floor.

We all wear the mask we want the world to see. Many of us (myself included) can find challenge in letting down our guard and just being ok with who we are.

But think about the photos of you, your family and friends that you love the most.

We all love seeing peoples’ real personality shine through. Every time.

Which brings me to today’s family.

Can I tell you how amazing these young women were?

I had the pleasure of doing family portraits for this mama and her three girls recently. And let me tell you, it was an absolute blast! They arrived at the photo shoot like they were headed to a park for a fun day out, with not a care in the world about looking picture-perfect. And honestly, that was just perfect for me!

As a photographer, I am always on the lookout for authentic moments and real personalities. And this family delivered just that. Mama Bear had this relaxed vibe about her, which clearly rubbed off on her three girls. They were all full of energy and excited to explore their surroundings.

We started off by hunting for art, and the girls were thrilled to spot some cool murals and alleys. I was clicking away, capturing all the joy and wonder in their faces. And then, we played some games, climbed some fences, and laughed till our bellies hurt. It was just pure fun and happiness all around.

Towards the end of the shoot, we stumbled upon a pretend monster. But no fear, these girls were brave and fearless! They stood tall, faced the monster head-on, and even managed to scare it away with their fierce roars.

As the sun started to set, we wrapped up the shoot with a group hug and a high-five for a job well done. And I couldn’t help but think that this is what it’s all about – capturing these precious moments of joy and connection, and creating memories that will last a lifetime.

So thank you, Mama Bear and your three amazing girls, for reminding me why I love what I do. Keep shining your authentic selves, and I can’t wait to see where life takes you next!

  • Three young girls are posing outdoors. The girl in front is wearing a metallic silver dress and smiling at the camera, while the girl to the left is in a gold dress, making a peace sign. The third girl, in a blush dress, stands in the background with her hand raised.
  • A young girl crouches in front of a colorful graffiti wall. She wears a sparkly gold dress and brown boots, gazing at the camera with a slight smile. Her hair is styled in two braids.
  • Three girls pose in front of a building with a wide vertical pink stripe. Two of the girls sit on a bench, smiling and chatting, while the third girl reclines on the bench, one leg propped up, looking relaxed. The setting appears to be urban with an open door to a shop.
  • Three young girls, standing close together and smiling at the camera, embrace in front of a colorful, floral-patterned wall. They are wearing sparkly dresses in silver and gold, with their hair down. The central girl leans her head on the girl to the right.
  • A young girl with long, light brown hair smiles while standing in front of a colorful, floral-patterned wall. She wears a sleeveless, light textured top.
  • A woman and a young girl smile while hugging in front of a colorful mural. The girl wears a gold sequined top; the woman wears a light knitted sweater. Both have long hair and share a joyful expression.
  • Three young girls stand outdoors on a sidewalk. One wears a gray dress and black boots, playfully bending. The middle girl is in a light pink dress with pink sneakers. The third girl wears a sparkly gold dress with brown boots. Trees and buildings are behind them.
  • A woman smiles while carrying a young girl in a blue dress on her left arm. Another girl in a pink dress hugs her from the front. A third girl in a beige dress sits on the ground, looking up. They are in front of a pastel pink and blue wall.
  • Three young girls strike playful poses in front of a vibrant graffiti wall. They are wearing shimmering dresses in shades of pink, gold, and silver, paired with boots. The art on the wall features abstract shapes in blue and purple tones.
  • A young girl with long hair smiles in front of a colorful, textured background. She wears a sparkly, sequined top and a small hair clip, exuding a joyful and playful demeanor.
  • A woman and a young girl smile warmly at the camera, embracing in front of a textured, graffiti-style wall. The woman has long blond hair and wears a light sweater, while the girl has long hair and wears a striped outfit.
  • Three young girls pose in front of a building with a large pink stripe. One girl stands in the foreground leaning against a bench, another lies on the bench, and the third stands in the background. The scene captures a playful and stylish moment.
  • A woman in a light sweater joyfully hugs a young girl in a sparkling dress and brown boots. They are standing in front of a colorful graffiti wall with shades of blue and black.
  • Three young girls stand in front of a colorful, floral-patterned wall. The girl on the left wears a metallic blue dress and poses with her hands on her head. The middle girl is in a sparkling gold outfit, and the girl on the right wears a shiny, peach-colored dress. All are smiling.
  • A woman in a light pink sweater lovingly holds a young girl in a tender embrace. The girl has her eyes closed, wearing a lace outfit. The background has colorful, abstract patterns.
  • A child with long hair, wearing a silver dress and black boots, is climbing on a painted utility box at a street corner. The street is busy with moving cars and a furniture store is visible in the background.
  • Three young girls with long hair stand closely together, smiling at the camera. The girl in the foreground wears a silver dress, while the two girls behind her wear a light pink dress and a gold dress. They stand against a wall, creating a cheerful and friendly scene.
  • A large, colorful mural featuring a cartoon dinosaur and a furry creature on a wall. A person with long hair in casual clothes walks by, glancing back. The dinosaur is stylized with exaggerated features and vibrant colors.
  • Three children stand in front of a colorful mural with vibrant designs and the words "YOU ARE RADIANT" above a central heart motif. The mural features flowers, stars, and the words "YES" and "YOU" in bold letters.