Anchorage Family Photographer | "S" Family
One of my favorite families to photograph!
We managed to have our session on a beautiful Alaska fall day, and I’m missing this scenery.
“S” Family!
Anchorage Family Photographer | "M" Family
We caught the timing of this session on the very last day of fall. The falling leaves in the pictures that you see are real, and when we woke up the next day, almost all the leaves on the trees were gone. In love with this session, and this adorable family was so much fun!
“M” Family!
Anchorage Family Photographer | "A" Family
Remember summer? I feel like I’ve already forgotten. I’ve had some amazing sessions so far this winter, so no complaints, but when I look at images from sessions like this, I’m ready for the GREEN!
Mom did an amazing job on outfit planning for this session, and I took them to one of my favorite spots to shoot. Those mountain views though!
"“A” Family!
Anchorage Family Photography | "S" Family
Looking at these photos from this summer, I already miss the green! I did my first winter session last night, and although it is so much fun to shoot in the snow too, I know that by the time January comes around, I’m going to miss these warm, green sessions so much.
I’ve been doing photos for this family for a few years now, and I always love our sessions together. I’ve added a few tricks that have made sessions become more playful and encourage movement, laughter, and hugging, so when I have families that have stuck with me for a while, it’s fun to see how their sessions have changed.
“S” Family!
Anchorage Photographer | Golden Hour Sessions
Let’s talk about lighting!
Golden Hour Sessions
When you contact me to schedule sessions, I will always try to talk to you into going as late as possible for the best and most flattering lighting. Photographers LOVE the beautiful, golden light that you get at the last hour of the day, and because I want your photos to turn out the best they can, I will try to convince you and your family to schedule as late as you can. Scheduling for golden hour has an extra challenge in Alaska, as the most popular time for outdoor sessions is during the summer, and as we know, the sun feels like it never sets up here during that time. That can mean scheduling at 10:30-11:00 at night, but I promise that the results will be worth it. Read on for other options if you have a young family and scheduling that late won’t work for you.
Option 1 - Schedule for earlier in the day, but compromise on location.
My most requested spots in Alaska are requests for mountains in the background. In order to get that beautiful mountain backdrop, you need to be somewhat out in the open, and if the sun is out and it is earlier in the day, that can mean harsh lighting, which would create harsh shadows, or half closed eyes with scrunched faces because the light is too bright in your eyes. If you need to go earlier in the day due to family schedules, I will suggest going somewhere with some tree cover. If you are able to filter out some sunlight with trees, it can make for some beautiful, evenly lighted photos.
Option 2 - Wait for a day with some cloud cover.
This is an easy option. If we get a cloudy day, the clouds filter the sun and depending on how thick the clouds are, makes the lighting easy and even, and we can have your shoot anywhere, and at anytime during the day you like.
Option 3 - Schedule later in the year.
Summer photos are so pretty. But if you are set on a sunny location with mountains, consider scheduling during September or October for some earlier golden hour times as the sun starts setting earlier and earlier. BONUS! Fall photos are my favorite.
Option 4 - Embrace the sun.
Although I don’t recommend this option, they are your family photos, so as long as you are aware why I do not recommend this lighting situation, we can always head out and do our best with the sunlight during a convenient time of day for your family. It can mean beautiful photos as well!
Option 5 - Studio session.
It is hard to pass up Alaska’s outdoor scenery. However, if you would like to be able to control temperature, lighting, bugs, etc, I do have a studio and we can do an easy studio session instead of an outdoor.
Anchorage Family Photographer | "C" Family
Brrrr! It’s cold outside this week and looking at these pictures and knowing it was 15 degrees warmer than it is right now makes me feel a little better (it’s currently 0 outside). When I go out to do shoots in the winter, I warm everyone that we have to be FAST, especially if kids are involved. We got it done, and everyone did amazing!
Every year I do this family’s photos, and mom had an idea to have the kids hold a picture of themselves from the previous year, so I photoshop in a photo of the kids holding their photo, and it’s SO cute! I love incorporating personal things into photos like that.
I love winter shoots. The snow makes everything so pretty and acts as a little bit of a reflector and bounces some light into eyes. It’s COLD, but worth it!
“C” Family!
