Frequently Asked Questions About Your Portrait Experience

If you have specific dates when everyone will be in town, reach out as soon as you can. Coordinating family schedules is often the hardest part of planning a portrait session, and the earlier we get it on the calendar, the better. I recommend booking at least 4–6 weeks in advance whenever possible. The most desirable time slots tend to fill quickly—especially around holidays or school breaks. Early planning gives us the best chance to create the relaxed, meaningful experience you’re hoping for.

With our lovely ocean breeze, I create portraits year-round here on the Treasure Coast. The beach is wonderful in every season—especially in the late afternoon and early evening, when the light is gorgeous and the weather is often surprisingly pleasant, even in summer. Some interior locations, like wooded areas or parks, can be muggy during the warmer months, so we’ll take that into account when planning. I’ll help you choose the best season, time of day, and location based on the look and feel you want for your portraits.

Most portrait sessions take place in the late afternoon or early evening when the light is soft and flattering—especially at the beach, where sessions often begin around 7 p.m. in the summer. That said, I also have beautiful locations that work wonderfully in the early morning hours, which tend to be ideal for young children. I’ll recommend the best time based on your chosen location, the time of year, and your family’s needs so we can strike the right balance between great light and happy participants.

Yes, absolutely. During your in-person consultation, I’ll guide you through what to wear for your family portrait session, using real examples from past sessions across Stuart, Palm City, and the greater Treasure Coast. Together, we’ll explore ideas and tips that help you look and feel your best—both as individuals and as a family.

We’ll discuss color palettes that photograph beautifully, how to coordinate outfits without matching, and what will complement your home’s style and the portrait artwork you’re envisioning. Your wardrobe choices will also be thoughtfully paired with the portrait location you’ve selected, so everything works together seamlessly.

Absolutely. During your consultation, I’ll show you a curated slideshow of favorite portrait locations across Stuart, Palm City, Vero Beach, Jensen Beach, and other beautiful parts of the Treasure Coast. Together, we’ll choose a setting that fits your family’s personality, preferences, and even the style of your home where your finished portrait artwork will be displayed.

The perfect location might be a favorite beach, a scenic park, or even your own backyard—it all depends on what feels meaningful and works well for the ages and dynamics in your family. Every session is custom, and I’ll draw on years of experience photographing families in a wide range of settings to help you find a location that feels natural and photographs beautifully.

Most sessions last about an hour, but I don’t watch the clock. The pace is relaxed and unhurried so no one feels rushed, and we’ll take the time we need to create portraits that feel natural and real.

With young children, the session might be very short or a bit longer—it totally depends on their personality. We won’t drag things out just to fill time if we’ve already captured what we need in the first 20 minutes. Sometimes the best portraits happen right away, and a quick session is the perfect (and happy) surprise! Other times, we need more time because your child needs space to warm up or you have more people involved. This is why a custom experience matters—no matter what, we’ll have the time we need to create beautiful images.

Extended family sessions usually take longer simply because there are more people to photograph. We’ll talk through all the timing details during your consultation so you know what to expect.

I take a lot of photographs during your session—drawing on my background as a photojournalist to anticipate moments, emotions, and meaningful details. That includes the in-between moments: the glance, the laugh, the quiet connection that reveals something real about your family. But part of the custom service I offer is this: you won’t be handed an overwhelming gallery of hundreds of images to sort through on your own. I personally review everything and select the best images to show you—those that are expressive, flattering, and tell the story of your family. You’ll be expertly guided through the process, and I’ll help you focus on what truly matters. You’ll never feel overwhelmed, because I take responsibility for curating the experience from start to finish.

You’re not alone—I totally understand, because I feel awkward in front of the camera too! That’s exactly why I’ve developed a relaxed, low-pressure approach to family photography that helps everyone feel at ease.

I use gentle direction, natural conversation, and playful prompts to bring out real connection—never forced smiles. Whether it’s a reluctant teen, a camera-shy parent, or someone who’s just not in the mood, I’ll quickly tune in to your family’s energy and adjust my approach to meet everyone where they are.

This style works beautifully for creating authentic portraits that feel natural, not posed.

That’s a very common concern, and I want you to know—your kids don’t need to behave perfectly for us to create beautiful, meaningful portraits. In fact, we really want them to be themselves!

I take a relaxed, child-led approach to family photography that embraces movement, curiosity, and the natural unpredictability of young children. We’ll follow their pace and use gentle prompts and natural interaction to bring out real expressions.

My goal is to make your Treasure Coast family portrait session fun, easy, and stress-free for everyone.

Yes. I’ve worked with a number of families whose children or other family members have autism or sensory differences, and I approach each session with compassion, flexibility, and understanding.

The key is learning about your family—what helps each person feel safe, calm, and confident—so we can create an environment that brings out the best in everyone. Each portrait experience is completely custom, and during your consultation, we’ll plan out all the important details together, including any sensory considerations, preferred locations, or comfort items.

That thoughtful preparation makes all the difference in creating a relaxed, enjoyable, and successful photo session for your whole family.

After your session, we’ll schedule a relaxed, in-person Selection Appointment at my gallery in Stuart, Florida to view your portraits and choose your favorites together. The options I show you will be based on what we discussed during your consultation—because every portrait session is custom-designed around your family.

I’ll guide you through each step of the portrait selection process, helping you narrow down your images and visualize how they could look in your home as wall art, a custom-designed family photo album, or a curated folio box. You’ll see layout ideas, sizing options, and pairings that work beautifully in Treasure Coast homes—whether you live locally in Palm City or are visiting family in Vero Beach.

Together, we’ll create finished portrait artwork that feels intentional, personal, and lasting. Many clients say this is their favorite part—it’s when their portraits truly come to life.

I offer a curated selection of heirloom-quality printed artwork, designed to last for generations and beautifully complement your home. These are not mass-produced or off-the-shelf products—they’re custom-created to reflect your family’s story and style.

Here are a few of the most popular options I offer for families here on the Treasure Coast and in Stuart, Florida:

• Float-framed canvas and acrylic wall portraits

• Framed fine art prints

• Storybook Albums with full-spread and storytelling layouts

• Folio Boxes that hold a collection of matted prints

Each piece is carefully designed to suit your space, whether you’re creating a single statement portrait or building a collection of meaningful moments. My goal is to help you transform your portraits into lasting artwork—something your family will enjoy every day and pass down for years to come.

There’s something powerful about seeing the faces of the people you love—not just on your phone, but displayed in your home. Printed portrait artwork creates a daily sense of connection, belonging, and legacy. It reminds your family, every single day: We belong together.

Unlike digital files that get buried in your camera roll or lost with the next phone upgrade, heirloom-quality printed portraits are lasting. They become part of your family’s story—something your children, and even their children, can hold, revisit, and pass down for generations.

This is why I focus so much on creating wall portraits, albums, and folio boxes for families in Stuart, Florida and throughout the Treasure Coast. Your portraits aren’t just for now—they’re for always.

While many families here in Stuart, Florida and across the Treasure Coast choose a wall portrait to enjoy every day, it’s not the only option.

Every session is designed to result in a finished piece of printed artwork—whether that’s an impactful wall portrait, a thoughtful wall grouping, a handcrafted Storybook Album, or a beautifully curated Folio Box filled with matted prints.

During your consultation and your ordering appointment, we’ll talk about how you envision enjoying your portraits—whether that means seeing them on your walls, holding them in an album, or both. My goal is always to help you choose what feels right for your family, your home, and your story.

You’ll never be pressured—and you’ll always be guided with care and expertise.

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to wall portrait sizing—and that’s the beauty of a fully custom experience. During your consultation, we’ll talk about the spaces in your home where you’d love to enjoy your portraits, and I’ll help you determine the size, layout, and style that will look and feel just right.

I create visual mockups using photos of your actual walls, so you can preview exactly how different artwork sizes and arrangements will look in your home—whether you live in Stuart, Palm City, Vero Beaach or anywhere on the Treasure Coast.

Sometimes a single, large statement piece is perfect for a space. Other times, a grouping or gallery wall tells your family’s story best. Whatever the layout, my goal is to help you create something that not only fits your home but brings joy every time you walk by.

Yes—smaller prints like 8x10s and 5x7s are absolutely available and make a wonderful addition to your wall art, Storybook Album, or as thoughtful gifts for loved ones. Many families here in Stuart, Florida and across the Treasure Coast choose these sizes for desks, bookshelves, or framed displays in smaller spaces.

These prints are created with archival quality and craftsmanship as are your larger pieces and are available as part of your custom artwork order.

That said, my portrait sessions are designed to result in finished, meaningful artwork—so we begin by focusing on your main pieces, like wall portraits or albums. Once we’ve created that foundation, we can absolutely add on smaller prints to complement your collection and tell the full story of your family.

Yes—for every portrait you select for finished artwork, I include small matching digital files. These are perfect for sharing on social media, keeping on your devices, or sharing with family members.

That said, my focus is different from most photographers in Stuart, Florida and along the Treasure Coast. Rather than handing over a large, unfiltered gallery of images, I provide a fully guided, custom portrait experience. From our first planning conversation to your final artwork delivery, I’ll help you create something that feels personal, intentional, and lasting.

We’ll design wall art, albums, or folio boxes that reflect your family and your home—and then you’ll receive the small keepsake digital versions of the portraits you’ve chosen to preserve in print.

This way, you’re never overwhelmed—and you walk away with portraits you truly love and know exactly how to enjoy.

While many photographers focus on digital-only photo packages, my approach is different. I work with families throughout the Treasure Coast who want something more meaningful and lasting—portraits that live on their walls, in albums, and in the heart of their home.

Instead of handing over a gallery and sending you on your way, I guide you through every step of the process—from planning your session to choosing and creating your finished artwork. You'll receive small digital files for every portrait you select for print, along with a custom phone app that makes it easy to view and share your favorites.

If you’re looking for portraits that go beyond the screen and become part of your family’s story, you’re in the right place. You won’t be overwhelmed with hundreds of images. Instead, you’ll walk away with artwork you love—and the digital versions to enjoy and share with ease.