02/The Preparation
“The most beautiful moments rarely ask us to have everything perfectly in place, only to be present for them.”
The Art of Knowing When.
Nearly two decades behind the camera have taught me plenty about light, composition, and the technical side of photography. But they’ve also taught me the importance of knowing when to offer direction and when to simply observe.
As a mother of four, I’ve lived through the newborn days, the toddler years, the school years, and the transition into adulthood. I understand that every child has their own personality, every family has its own rhythm, and sometimes the best thing we can do is simply let the day unfold.
Of course, we’ll make time for the beautiful portraits of everyone together. I’ll help you find the light, bring everyone in close, and offer guidance when it’s helpful. But I also want to see what happens when nobody is thinking about the camera.
The way your children naturally gravitate toward you. The little exchanges between siblings. The personalities, the movement, the unexpected moments that couldn’t have been planned.
I love photographs that feel a little cinematic, a little documentary, and entirely your own.
Because your family doesn’t look, move, or love quite like anyone else’s. Your photographs shouldn’t either.
Before We Begin.
Before telling your Children&Spouse they're having their pictures taken, try telling them you're going on a little adventure together.
Maybe it's an evening by the ocean, a walk through a favorite park, or a quiet morning at home. You can tell them that Maria will be joining you with her camera, and that we'll spend some time exploring, talking, and enjoying ourselves.
There's no need to practice smiles or remind anyone to be on their best behavior. Children take their cues from the adults around them, and the less pressure we place on the experience, the more enjoyable it becomes.
A good meal, a little rest, and enough time to arrive without rushing can make all the difference. And if your little one needs a break, a snack, or a few minutes in your arms, that's perfectly fine.
What Shall We Wear?
One of my favorite pieces of advice is to choose an anchor piece and build from there. Often that’s Mom’s outfit, but it might be a beautiful dress for your daughter, a favorite pattern, or something meaningful you’ve been saving. From there, choose two or three complementary colors and let the rest of your family’s wardrobe come together naturally. Think coordinating, not matching.
01 / Consider Color
Crisp whites tend to read cooler, while creams, ivories, and oatmeal often bring a little more warmth. Blues, greens, earth tones, florals, and richer seasonal colors can all photograph beautifully. Pay attention to undertones rather than limiting yourself to a particular palette.
02 / Mix Patterns & Textures
Florals, stripes, and subtle patterns are welcome! Try starting with one patterned piece and pulling colors from it for everyone else. Linen, knits, cotton, and washed denim add beautiful texture without overwhelming the photograph.
03 / Dress for the Setting
An October afternoon surrounded by changing leaves looks and feels quite different from a summer morning along the coast. Consider the season, landscape, and temperature. Choose pieces that allow you to move, explore, and comfortably hold your children.
04 / Make It Your Own
Please don’t feel like everyone needs to arrive in white shirts and khakis. There’s so much more room for personality. Your clothing should reflect who you are, not a prescribed formula for family photographs.
A Little Guidance, From Me to You
Wardrobe planning is something we can work through together. I encourage families to send me photographs of the pieces they’re considering, whether it’s a few dresses, outfits laid out side by side, or an entire collection of possibilities.
I’ll help you narrow down your choices, consider how the colors and patterns work together, and make sure everything feels cohesive with our location and the season. Sometimes that means suggesting a different layer, balancing a pattern, or finding the piece that brings everything together.
The Nature of Light.
Natural light plays a beautiful role in every session. The Season, the time of day, the weather all influence how we plan and what we need to pay attention to.
01 / Planning Your Summer Vacation Session
For families visiting the Delaware Beaches, I ask that you select two consecutive dates during your stay, giving us an immediate backup if needed. You’ll also choose your preferred time frame: morning or evening.
As your session approaches, I’ll watch the forecast and help determine the best day and exact start time within your chosen window.
02 / Understanding the Light
That beautiful golden glow happens shortly after sunrise or in the hours leading up to sunset. In July and August, sunset can be as late as 8:30 p.m., while by late September and early October, it’s closer to 6:30–7:00 p.m.
July and August bring long summer evenings and the busiest weeks along the coast. September and October offer earlier sunsets, quieter beaches, and an entirely different atmosphere. It’s worth considering when planning your family’s session, especially with little ones.
And sunshine isn’t everything. Soft overcast skies, passing clouds, and a little atmosphere can create some of the most beautiful photographs.
03 / Indoor Sessions
Indoor sessions are typically scheduled during daylight hours, when natural light fills the rooms of your home. We’ll consider the direction of your windows and the spaces where your family naturally spends time.
The First Days at Home.
There’s something especially beautiful about photographing a family in the place where their everyday life unfolds.
For newborn sessions, I love the comfort of home. The nursery you’ve spent months preparing, the familiar corner of the couch, the way your baby fits into your arms, and even the family dog who insists on being part of everything. These are the details that will one day bring you right back to this chapter.
There’s no need for a perfectly styled home or a baby who sleeps through the entire session. We’ll follow your little one’s lead, making time for feeding, changing, and all the little moments in between.
In-home sessions are typically scheduled during daylight hours, when natural light fills the rooms of your home. If you’d like to incorporate your outdoor spaces, we’ll plan around the softer, golden light of early morning or evening.
For families who want to remember more than those first few weeks, my First Year Series documents three beautiful stages of your baby’s first year.
Generations Along the Coast.
Some of the most meaningful photographs are when everyone is together under one roof.
Grandparents, grown children, cousins, little ones running in every direction. Whether you’re gathering for a summer vacation, celebrating a milestone, or simply enjoying the rare occasion when everyone is in the same place, these sessions hold a special kind of significance.
With larger families, a little organization goes a long way. Before our session, we’ll talk through who’s attending and the family groupings you’d love photographed, making sure there’s time for the entire family, individual households, grandparents with grandchildren, and the smaller connections in between.
I’ll help guide everyone through the portraits while leaving room for the laughter, personalities, and moments that naturally happen when generations come together.
Because one day, the photograph of everyone in the same place may be one of the most treasured of all.
The Photographs That Follow.
Four completed gallery is typically delivered within two weeks of your session, with up to four weeks during peak seasons, depending on my editing workflow.
01 / Thoughtfully Curated
Expect approximately 75–100 individually selected, professionally edited photographs, preserving the colors, details, and little moments that make your family yours.
02 / Yours to Enjoy
Your high-resolution digital photographs are yours to download, print, and share as you wish. Your private online gallery can be shared with family and loved ones anywhere in the world.
03 / Your Experience, Your Investment
Family sessions begin at $700 and include personalized planning, wardrobe guidance, and a beautiful collection of professionally edited digital photographs. No required print purchases, no choosing between favorites, and no additional travel fees throughout my regular service area, including the Delaware Beaches, Eastern Shore, Annapolis, Wilmington, and Philadelphia.
For families gathering across generations or celebrating their baby’s first year, additional session offerings are available.
