Confession: family portraits with little children used to frighten me! I didn’t gain the experience I have today as a family portrait photographer until I had my own family. My two busy boys have taught me a thing or two about setting reasonable expectations, keeping them engaged, and making photoshoots fun! Thank you boys! I’ll use a recent photo from our beach vacation as an illustration:
I picked out their outfits on a rare solo shopping trip months in advance. When we were getting them dressed, we had to bribe them to wear said clothing. We walked to the beach (this was our third day at the beach) and while I envisioned them sitting neatly together in the sand with the ocean behind them, they had other ideas. First, they HAD to frolic in the ocean and dig in the sand, so I photographed that instead. I had almost given up on my goal for that trip to the beach thinking we could just come back another day. But on the way home, I asked them to stop by this sand dune and with some silly charades from their daddy, this sweet photo is the result.
After having shared all of that, my goals for my own family are not the same for my client’s sessions. I spend time getting to know my clients’ desires and priorities for the photo shoot and am much more focused on making that happen within the time allowed. I just thought I’d share some background before getting into what I feel is most important when photographing sessions with little ones. Here’s a recent photo shoot with a family in Cranberry to give you a feel for what to expect.
Ok, tip #1: Keep moving. There’s nothing worse than to plop a kid down and expect them to stay in one place for more than a few minutes. I like to pick locations that are conducive to walking and offer variety in scenery.
Tip #2: Less is more when it comes to props. Other than a chair, a book, or bubbles, too much attention is given to managing props. We didn’t need anything for this mommy and me portrait, just mom and her daughter so that the focus is on their special relationship.
The same goes for this baby girl and her daddy.
Tip #3: Have fun. To keep this little sweetie interested, we told her we were going on a nature walk. So when she found this walking stick, we went with it. When I engage with kids and they have an idea to offer, I want them to experience the pleasure of this process!
If you’d like to talk more about scheduling a family photo shoot, please let me know. I’d love to hear from you!
https://www.captivatingimagery.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Web-Use.png00kmillerhttps://www.captivatingimagery.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Web-Use.pngkmiller2018-07-06 12:46:432018-07-06 12:46:43Cranberry Family Portraits: Three Tips to Help Little Kids Make It Through Your Session
This mama has had her first three babies photographed in the hospital and so it was natural for her to do the same for her fourth baby, but she was shocked when she asked about a hospital photographer and found there wasn’t one available. Thankfully, she reached out to me and we found some time to make it work before she left the hospital.
His daddy had this rosary made with his name on it.
This was one tiny room with a window tucked around the corner from the beds, so we got up close to the lovely natural light.
I love seeing parents gazing at their newborn!
I had to supplement the light for this group shot with the big siblings. While I’m not a fan of using flash for newborn sessions, I sure do love seeing all of these smiling faces!
I could shoot close-ups of newborns all day and I think seeing mama’s caring hands in the shot makes it extra special – it expresses the love and caring surrounding this baby boy.
After his first photo shoot, this little fella is ready for a nap!
If you or someone you know is getting ready to have a baby, I’d be happy to talk with you about hospital or in-home newborn sessions!
I recently photographed a family of seven in downtown Pittsburgh, an unlikely setting for any children’s portrait unless the city happens to be home, but this brave family with five kids was up for the challenge and let me say, they have my awe and respect! We started walking through the Cultural District and walking shots like this one are one of my favorite ways to keep a photo shoot moving so that the kids don’t get bored.
We came across this alley with an overhead lighting feature which made for a fun design element in this family portrait.
There are a lot of nice spots for portraits downtown and I’ve learned many of them by photographing weddings. However, just recently, some of the parklets have started to close on weekends, so there are fewer options with greenery these days.
After all of our walking, the kids were getting tired, but I still like this shot of the family by the bridge. The facial expressions on the kids are comical – it’s not a portrait I’d hang on the wall, but it will be fun for this family to look back on someday!
As we headed back to our parking garage, we stopped for one last shot with mom and dad. Well done, mom and dad!
https://www.captivatingimagery.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Web-Use.png00kmillerhttps://www.captivatingimagery.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Web-Use.pngkmiller2018-06-22 08:49:182018-06-22 08:49:18Pittsburgh Family Portraits: Downtown Makes a Great Setting
In May, I had the pleasure of photographing my first quinceañera, I’ve photographed bar and bat mitzvahs before, so I had some idea of what to expect, but let me say, this special milestone for latinas turning 15 is my kind of party! It’s a lot like a wedding in many ways with the formalities—the special dress and cake, but it’s all about the celebration of an emerging young lady. One of the sweet traditions of a quinceañera is that she comes to her party in slippers and later in the night, she ceremoniously changes into high heels! And then of course, she dances in them! What a fun way to celebrate womanhood!
Before the party started, we met at the overlooks at Mt. Washington for some portraits.
The quinceañera was held at Franzee’s-Javy’s in Ambridge, Pa.
After some introductions and a welcome speech the quinceañera danced with her father.
A little later in the evening, came the champagne toast and this quinceañera had her first taste.
One of the littlest members of this quinceañera’s court presented the high heels to her father.
She promenaded in her new heels with grace and poise.
And then the quinceañera court entered for the formal dance.
And after that, the dance floor was jumping!
I’m pleased to add quinceañeras to my events coverage and would love to photograph more. Please contact me if you would like to learn more!
https://www.captivatingimagery.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Web-Use.png00kmillerhttps://www.captivatingimagery.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Web-Use.pngkmiller2018-06-13 10:01:552018-06-13 10:01:55Pittsburgh Quinceañera: A Latina’s Sweet Fifteen!
When I first met with this happy couple, I was intrigued at how thoughtful they were in making their wedding plans. They were simple, but had so much meaning. This couple chose to marry at The Point, where they shared part of their first date. They met by a tree for a prayer moments before their ceremony and invited their closest family and friends to gather by the fountain to witness their ceremony—which was also broadcast on Facebook Live and later replayed for the guests at their reception.
Cranberry Family Portraits: Three Tips to Help Little Kids Make It Through Your Session
/by kmillerConfession: family portraits with little children used to frighten me! I didn’t gain the experience I have today as a family portrait photographer until I had my own family. My two busy boys have taught me a thing or two about setting reasonable expectations, keeping them engaged, and making photoshoots fun! Thank you boys! I’ll use a recent photo from our beach vacation as an illustration:
I picked out their outfits on a rare solo shopping trip months in advance. When we were getting them dressed, we had to bribe them to wear said clothing. We walked to the beach (this was our third day at the beach) and while I envisioned them sitting neatly together in the sand with the ocean behind them, they had other ideas. First, they HAD to frolic in the ocean and dig in the sand, so I photographed that instead. I had almost given up on my goal for that trip to the beach thinking we could just come back another day. But on the way home, I asked them to stop by this sand dune and with some silly charades from their daddy, this sweet photo is the result.
After having shared all of that, my goals for my own family are not the same for my client’s sessions. I spend time getting to know my clients’ desires and priorities for the photo shoot and am much more focused on making that happen within the time allowed. I just thought I’d share some background before getting into what I feel is most important when photographing sessions with little ones. Here’s a recent photo shoot with a family in Cranberry to give you a feel for what to expect.
Ok, tip #1: Keep moving. There’s nothing worse than to plop a kid down and expect them to stay in one place for more than a few minutes. I like to pick locations that are conducive to walking and offer variety in scenery.
Tip #2: Less is more when it comes to props. Other than a chair, a book, or bubbles, too much attention is given to managing props. We didn’t need anything for this mommy and me portrait, just mom and her daughter so that the focus is on their special relationship.
The same goes for this baby girl and her daddy.
Tip #3: Have fun. To keep this little sweetie interested, we told her we were going on a nature walk. So when she found this walking stick, we went with it. When I engage with kids and they have an idea to offer, I want them to experience the pleasure of this process!
If you’d like to talk more about scheduling a family photo shoot, please let me know. I’d love to hear from you!
Pittsburgh Newborn Photography: Hospital Newborn Sessions
/by kmillerThis mama has had her first three babies photographed in the hospital and so it was natural for her to do the same for her fourth baby, but she was shocked when she asked about a hospital photographer and found there wasn’t one available. Thankfully, she reached out to me and we found some time to make it work before she left the hospital.
His daddy had this rosary made with his name on it.
This was one tiny room with a window tucked around the corner from the beds, so we got up close to the lovely natural light.
I love seeing parents gazing at their newborn!
I had to supplement the light for this group shot with the big siblings. While I’m not a fan of using flash for newborn sessions, I sure do love seeing all of these smiling faces!
I could shoot close-ups of newborns all day and I think seeing mama’s caring hands in the shot makes it extra special – it expresses the love and caring surrounding this baby boy.
After his first photo shoot, this little fella is ready for a nap!
If you or someone you know is getting ready to have a baby, I’d be happy to talk with you about hospital or in-home newborn sessions!
Pittsburgh Family Portraits: Downtown Makes a Great Setting
/by kmillerI recently photographed a family of seven in downtown Pittsburgh, an unlikely setting for any children’s portrait unless the city happens to be home, but this brave family with five kids was up for the challenge and let me say, they have my awe and respect! We started walking through the Cultural District and walking shots like this one are one of my favorite ways to keep a photo shoot moving so that the kids don’t get bored.
We came across this alley with an overhead lighting feature which made for a fun design element in this family portrait.
There are a lot of nice spots for portraits downtown and I’ve learned many of them by photographing weddings. However, just recently, some of the parklets have started to close on weekends, so there are fewer options with greenery these days.
After all of our walking, the kids were getting tired, but I still like this shot of the family by the bridge. The facial expressions on the kids are comical – it’s not a portrait I’d hang on the wall, but it will be fun for this family to look back on someday!
As we headed back to our parking garage, we stopped for one last shot with mom and dad. Well done, mom and dad!
Pittsburgh Quinceañera: A Latina’s Sweet Fifteen!
/by kmillerIn May, I had the pleasure of photographing my first quinceañera, I’ve photographed bar and bat mitzvahs before, so I had some idea of what to expect, but let me say, this special milestone for latinas turning 15 is my kind of party! It’s a lot like a wedding in many ways with the formalities—the special dress and cake, but it’s all about the celebration of an emerging young lady. One of the sweet traditions of a quinceañera is that she comes to her party in slippers and later in the night, she ceremoniously changes into high heels! And then of course, she dances in them! What a fun way to celebrate womanhood!
Before the party started, we met at the overlooks at Mt. Washington for some portraits.
The quinceañera was held at Franzee’s-Javy’s in Ambridge, Pa.
After some introductions and a welcome speech the quinceañera danced with her father.
A little later in the evening, came the champagne toast and this quinceañera had her first taste.
One of the littlest members of this quinceañera’s court presented the high heels to her father.
She promenaded in her new heels with grace and poise.
And then the quinceañera court entered for the formal dance.
And after that, the dance floor was jumping!
I’m pleased to add quinceañeras to my events coverage and would love to photograph more. Please contact me if you would like to learn more!
Pittsburgh Wedding Photography: Sentimental Details Bring Sweet Moments
/by kmillerWhen I first met with this happy couple, I was intrigued at how thoughtful they were in making their wedding plans. They were simple, but had so much meaning. This couple chose to marry at The Point, where they shared part of their first date. They met by a tree for a prayer moments before their ceremony and invited their closest family and friends to gather by the fountain to witness their ceremony—which was also broadcast on Facebook Live and later replayed for the guests at their reception.
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