these are the
good old days
Don't let them pass by unnoticed
They should.
If they don't, maybe it's because they didn't really capture YOU as a family.
I don't just mean what you look like when you're all gussied up and everyone is smiling nicely.
Sure that's you too, but it's missing something.
It's missing the real moments that make up everyday, ordinary life. The ones in-between the big moments that we rarely pause to notice.
The ones that will one day cause a feeling of nostalgia down the road. For you and your children.
Because they'll remind you of what life was actually like in this season that slipped away a little too fast.
One day, you will pack up the stuffed animals, the legos and Hotwheels and the dolls and barbies will stow away in basement bins with the beloved bedtime storybooks.
do your family photos make you feel something?
can i ask you something?
I promise you, one day you will long for the chaos of this season and all you'll have to hold onto in these moments are the memories and photos.
Why not capture this season in photos that feel like memories? That bring you back to this moment in time.
Imagine albums full of these ordinary, beautiful moments and memories that might otherwise get neglected in the world of social media superficiality and AI perfection.
Don't let yourself forget the things that matter.
one day the house will grow quiet.
one day the house will grow quiet.
I promise, you will long for the chaos of this season and all you'll have in these moments are the memories and photos.
Why not capture this season in photos that feel like memories? That bring you back to this moment in time.
Imagine albums full of these ordinary, beautiful moments and memories that might otherwise get neglected in the world of social media superficiality and AI perfection.
Imagine holding on the magic longer.
can i ask you something?
session info
long live
childhood
firefly catching
fort building
bubble blowing
make-believe
silly faces
tickle wars
firefly catching. fort building. bubble blowing. make-believe. silly faces. tickle wars.
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Which session is right for you?
You don't need another thing
to plan and organize.
Let’s skip the stress, forced smiles and awkward poses and instead, focus on connection and making memories. Let’s let kids be kids and capture your family effortlessly and authentically.
Family photos
shouldn’t
be a chore.
Documentary sessions capture your real life in a way that allows you to see it from the outside looking in. You'll fall in love with the life you're already living.
We can capture Saturday morning breakfast, backyard playtime, game night with grandma and grandpa, a day at the park or literally anything else that makes your family unique!
I will be a fly on the wall, documenting our time together without directing or interfering (98% of the time).
so let's make it fun
real life
day in the life
$450
Location and activity of your choice (often at home but I'm up for about anything you dream up!)
up to 2 hours
75+ images
real life sessions
A window into your everyday life.
For 1.5 to 2 hours, I will photograph your family exactly as you are—no posing, no need to coordinate outfits, and virtually no stress! I'll simply document the beautifully ordinary parts of your day or a special activity you enjoy as a family.
(We may begin with one to two posed portraits before diving into the real stuff.)
We'll focus on whatever naturally happens during our time together allowing time for you to connect authentically with the people you love, in a meaningful place, doing something you enjoy.
Tell me what kind of session you're dreaming about OR drop me a note and we'll dream up something amazing together!
real life sessions
Capture the story of this season in your family.
A 3 -4 hour, "day-in-the-life" experience that gives us space to follow your family through the unhurried rhythms and unfolding moments of a day and capture the real moments you could never script.
Still no posing, and no need to plan activities for the camera.
Rather than focusing on one portion of the day, we have time to let the story unfold. A hike in the mountains, a lazy Saturday afternoon followed by a visit with grandma and grandpa, or just about anything else you'd like to capture.
day-in-the-life sessions
storytelling
sessions
$700
option for multiple locations and activities
3 -4 hours
150+ images
*available Fridays and Saturdays only
contact me for quote
Information about your packages, pricing, conditions. Includes all the details here. Booking conditions and terms, etc.
COMMERCIAL PROJECTS 2
sTARTING AT $950
Information about your packages, pricing, conditions. Includes all the details here. Booking conditions and terms, etc.
commercial projects 1
$650
Information about your packages, pricing, conditions. Includes all the details here. Booking conditions and terms, etc.
personal brand
branding packages
Standard portrait sessions generally involve choosing a location, outfits and posing based on aesthetics rather than telling a story. While this is often a lovely choice for a typical Christmas card, a Real Life session prioritizes authentic moments of connection, in locations significant to your family with no awkward posing.
The result is photos of actual happy memories that are still frame-worthy!
Q: what's the difference between real life sessions and a typical portrait session other photographers offer?
Go for it! If you enjoy that sort of thing, by all means, coordinate those outfits! The heart behind documentary photo sessions is simply to capture who you are, unposed and unscripted. What you choose to wear is up to you! Just make sure everyone is comfortable.
For all sessions, I do recommend going easy on patterns as homes tend to be busier backdrops and we don't want to distract from YOU, but subtle patterns and any colors are perfect!
Q: What if i still want coordinating outfits?
The beauty of your house is found in that it's your home. It's where you make memories and bring your babies home and eat meals together. It doesn't have to be aesthetic or minimalist or perfect. Your home doesn't need to be impressive to be beautiful, because it's what happens inside that makes it awesome.
That said, your backyard or a local park, ice cream shop or anywhere you spend time together also makes an amazing setting .Let's brainstorm together!
Q: My house isn't anything special -- should we shoot somewhere else?
I do a limited number of Storytelling sessions each year. These shorter sessions are documentary-inspired, but with a bit more guidance on posing and likely coordinating outfits to help you tell the story. Drop me a note if you are interested and we'll see if it's a good fit!
Q: Ok, What if i want real, but with a little more guidance?
Yes! All of your photos will be hand edited by me with a vintage film style and select black and whites.
Q: Do you still edit the pictures?
Laura nelson
Mandalyn is an amazing person with a wonderful talent. We love love love how our pictures turned out and can’t wait to work with her again.
rachel & john
You capture those perfect little moments, your eye for that is unreal AND you make the experience so fun! Thank you for giving me photos that I will treasure forever.
MArgaret green
Thank you, thank you, thank you! We can't wait to show the kids, and to hang some of these up in our walls!
Tony & jessica
You are the best! I can’t wait to see all the others. We had such an amazing afternoon with you. The girls can’t stop talking about you!
reserve youR spot
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