A Seattle Family Photography Session at the Center for Urban Horticulture

Tree climbing adventures at the Center for Urban Horticulture – capturing the joy and spontaneity that makes each family unique

I have always loved capturing families where they are right now. Maybe it's the former teacher in me, but there is something so imperative about capturing a moment in time. Kids grow up, everyone gets older, and these fleeting seasons of life deserve to be preserved.

I also know that for many families, professional photos can feel like a luxury. But every family I’ve worked with has said afterward how glad they were to have these moments saved. Kids grow so quickly, and each season has its own kind of magic. Recently, someone told me that their kids are 7 and 9, and they've never done family photos – and while there's no "right" time to start, so often families wish they had done it sooner. These years go by so quickly. Yes, phone cameras are excellent these days, but they may not capture the full scene or those truly candid moments the way professional portraits can.

My Approach: Candid Moments and Authentic Connection

In my full portrait sessions, I take a candid approach throughout the session. I will take posed photos, but as much as possible, I will also capture images of you as a family – how you interact, and, equally important, how you play! It is not a family session with me without a bit of fun and spontaneity. I love working around kids, and they seem to like me, too!

For me, getting to the core of your family's personality often yields the best results. That's where the magic happens – in the laughter, the exploration, the genuine moments of connection that make your family uniquely yours.

An End-of-Summer Session to Remember

For a recent end-of-summer session, I had the honor of photographing a fun family in Seattle's Center for Urban Horticulture. We started the morning with a pleasant stroll through the nature preserve, some tree climbing, taking photos in the picturesque Good Fellows Grove, and then an epic bubble session!

The Perfect Seattle Location

The Center for Urban Horticulture provided everything we needed for an unforgettable session. The nature preserve offered winding paths perfect for exploring, while the carefully curated gardens created beautiful, natural backdrops. Good Fellows Grove? It's simply picturesque – one of those hidden Seattle gems that photographs like a dream.

What made this location particularly special was how it encouraged natural interaction. The kids didn't need prompting to climb trees or chase bubbles – they just did what kids do best: they played. And that's when I captured some of the most authentic, joyful moments of the entire session.

From Gardens to Waterfront

After exploring the gardens, we made our way to the nearby lagoon area. The contrast was perfect – from intimate woodland moments to expansive water views with the Seattle skyline in the background. Each setting brought out different aspects of this family's personality and dynamic.

The hour we spent together gave us time to explore, play, and capture so many different moments and moods throughout this beautiful location. It's amazing what unfolds when families have space to enjoy being together.

More Than Just Photos – Creating an Experience

What I loved was hearing how much fun everyone had and how the images brought out everyone's personalities. That's what it's all about for me. For me, family photos are about more than the images themselves. They’re about the laughter, the play, and the experience you share together during our time.

These sessions are about more than walking away with beautiful images (though you'll definitely get those). They're about spending quality time together as a family, exploring, playing, and connecting. The photos become a record not just of how you looked, but of how it felt to be together during this particular chapter of your family's story.

Why This Matters

Years from now, this family won't just remember what they looked like at this stage of life. They'll remember the morning they spent climbing trees, chasing bubbles, and exploring Seattle's urban gardens together. They'll remember how their kids' hands felt in theirs, the sound of laughter echoing through the grove, and the joy of simply being present with each other. That’s what I hope shines through in these photos.

Let's Capture Your Family's Story

I would love to photograph your family and capture this incredibly important moment in time. Your kids might be toddlers or teenagers, it might have been years since your last family photos or you might be ready for your annual session – whatever stage you're in, I'm here to create an experience that's authentic, fun, and uniquely yours.

If this seaon feels like one you’d love to hold onto, I’d be honored to help tell your family’s story. You can see more about sessions below.