Let’s be honest: family photo sessions can be stressful.
The coordinating outfits, the perfect location, hoping for ideal weather, getting everyone to smile (at the same time!) — it’s a lot. And while those posed, polished portraits have their place, they don’t always reflect the magic of your real life — the moments that make up the heart of your family’s story.
That’s where everyday magic sessions come in.
What Are everyday magic sessions?
They’re not your traditional portrait sessions. These are about documenting your family’s everyday moments — the ones that feel small now but will mean everything later.
We’re talking about:
- Your kids splashing in the backyard sprinkler
- Pajamas and lazy Saturday morning stories
- Couch forts and giggle-fits
- Baking cookies with messy hands and flour-covered noses
- Weekend pancake breakfasts in a sunlit kitchen
- Playing with Play Doh
- Splashing in a giant mud puddle
These are the memories that live in the quiet corners of your daily life. The ones that don’t require perfect outfits, rehearsed smiles, or a golden hour sunset.
Why These Moments Matter
You won’t always remember the exact date you took your holiday card photo. But you will remember the sound of your toddler’s laughter when you chased them through the yard. You’ll remember the way your child tucked into your side during story time, or the way their curls stuck to their forehead after a long afternoon of playing hard.
These memories are fleeting. But they don’t have to be forgotten.
Hiring a photographer to document your normal, everyday life is a way to honor your season of motherhood and preserve the real, unscripted moments of your children’s childhood.
What to Expect
During your documentary style family photo session, I come into your world quietly and respectfully — no stiff poses, no timelines. I document what your life feels like right now: the chaos, the sweetness, the connection. You don’t need to clean your house or get dressed up. You just need to be.
These images tell your story — not the one we try to curate for social media, but the real, deeply personal one you live every day.
The Gift of Being In the Frame
As moms, we’re often the ones behind the camera, snapping photos of our kids — rarely stepping in ourselves. These sessions invite you to be in the photos with your family, doing what you do best: loving them fully and completely in the quiet moments that make up your everyday.
Because one day, your kids will want to see you there, too — not just smiling at the camera, but living alongside them.
Let Go of the Pressure. Embrace the Beauty of Now.
If the idea of another formal family photo session stresses you out, maybe it’s time to try something different. Let go of the expectations, and choose a session that captures what really matters: the way your life feels today.
Because someday, these will be the photos that bring it all rushing back — the love, the noise, the routines, and the joy.
And that’s worth remembering.
Interested in an Everyday Magic Session? I’d love to help you document your everyday magic — pajamas, dirty dishes, tickle fights and all. Reach out here to learn more or schedule a session.
Julie Ann Photography – Documenting real life for families in Minneapolis, Plymouth, Minnetonka, Wayzata, Maple Grove, Orono, Excelsion, Chanhassen, Hopkins, Edina and surrounding areas.
Julie Ann Photography • MINNEAPOLIS PHOTOGRAPHER 