As a family photographer based in MD, I’ve spent years capturing the genuine, everyday moments that define family life. For a long time, I believed that documentary-style photography had to be as close to reality as possible, leaving little room for creative flair.

I’ve since realized that creativity and authenticity aren’t mutually exclusive.

I took a workshop with Celina Bailey from Illuminate, and had my aha moment during the class when I understood that blending creativity with the rawness of family life allows me to tell more meaningful stories through my images.

I’ve embraced a variety of creative techniques in my family photography that set my work apart from the more traditional approaches. These tools allow me to enhance moments while still staying true to the essence of a family’s dynamic. Below, I share some of my favorite creative techniques and how they help me craft one-of-a-kind family portraits.

pregnant woman looking behind with light effect around her

1. Double Exposure: Layering Stories

Double exposure is one of my favorite techniques for adding depth and emotion to family photos. By overlaying two (or more!) images, I create a visual story within a single frame. This method adds layers of meaning and allows me to blend moments of connection with the surrounding environment or personal details that are important to the family. The result is often dreamlike, giving the photos a poetic quality while preserving the authenticity of the moment.

Double exposure image of a family of 3 with a newborn sitting on the ground in Fall colors. — Double exposure of this family in their backyard using out of focus tree-line

2. Shooting Through: Adding Texture and Depth

When I shoot through objects like glass, fabric, or plants, I create a sense of intimacy and texture that wouldn’t exist otherwise. For example, I might shoot through a curtain or a leafy branch to give the photo a sense of privacy or nostalgia. I like to use whatever is around me: magna tiles, greenery, flowers, a window… It’s a powerful way to make the photos even more meaningful for the family.

toddler girl in purple dress looking through a window and smiling — Through a window.

3. Free Lensing: Capturing Imperfect Beauty

Free lensing is a technique where I detach the lens from the camera body and hold it just slightly away to create selective focus, light leaks, and natural blur. This method is unpredictable, but that’s part of its beauty—it often results in imperfect images that feel raw and emotional. In family photography, this technique is perfect for conveying movement, playfulness, and the fleeting nature of childhood. The slight blurs and light leaks add a sense of movement and spontaneity to the photos, mirroring the energetic and unpredictable nature of family life.

pregnant woman sitting on a bed in a criss cross position with creative blur from free lensing

4. Prisming: Playing with Light

Prisming involves placing a prism in front of my lens to bend light and create reflections, flares, and rainbows. It adds a magical touch to the photos, bringing out the light and colors in a family’s surroundings. Whether I’m photographing a family outdoors or in their living room, using a prism allows me to amplify the beauty of natural light, transforming an ordinary scene into something visually striking and surreal.

Creativity Matters in Family Photography

Families are complex, filled with different personalities, moments of joy, and quiet tenderness. By using these creative techniques, I can capture not just what families look like, but what they feel like. Each of these methods allows me to go beyond the surface and tell deeper, more nuanced stories about the families I work with.

By pushing the boundaries of traditional photography and blending creativity with authenticity, I strive to create images that are not only beautiful but deeply meaningful.

It’s this combination of creativity and authenticity that allows me to deliver images that are as unique as the families themselves.

Would you like to explore how we can tell your family’s story with a creative edge? Reach out, and let’s create something beautiful together!

You’re just one email away from having a genuine, artistic reflection of your real-life moments. Let’s capture the heart of who you truly are.

My approach makes sessions easygoing, artistic, and naturally unposed. All you have to do is slow down and savor the beauty of simply being together. Every family has its own story, and your uniqueness deserves to be celebrated —reach out today!

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