Adele, Clara & the Traveling Dress

What’s better than having a princess dress for a photography session? TWO princess dresses! That was the case when I got to photograph this adorable family at the Indy Family Photo Studio. I’ve been lucky enough to participate in this year’s Little Dreamers Tutus Traveling Dress series. For this family photo session, we had two amazing gowns for Adele and Clara to wear. Little Edwin, the youngest at just three years old, looked adorable in his button-down and bow tie.

Adventures at the Indy Family Photo Studio

Adele, the oldest child at eight years old, is a sweet, sensitive, deep thinker. Clara is a fun, energetic five-year-old who loves dancing, and is your typical girly girl. Edwin is a classic little boy. He is full of energy and tends to get smothered with love by his older two sisters.

Upon getting into her gown, Adele proclaimed that she was the most beautiful one in the room. Adele’s gown was the Alyssa gown, like the gown from MJ’s Traveling Dress Session. Clara promptly let me know she wasn't going to participate. It was hilarious! Of course, once she saw her beautiful gown, she changed her mind. Not to be outdone by the two older sisters, Edwin kept trying to steal the show. He had the most expressive face! And really, is there anything cuter than tiny toddler feet?

I loved how these pictures truly captured each child’s personality. There’s fun energy from Clara, a thoughtful, dreamy look from Adele and tons of mischief from Edwin! My goal as a child and family photographer is to capture real smiles, real joy and real fun. Adventure sessions like this one allow me to build unique and fun adventures based on the things that make kiddos unique. I had so much fun pulling together this adventure for these three amazing little ones.

Little Dreamers Traveling Dress

I’ve very much enjoyed being a part of the Little Dreamers Tutus Traveling Dress program. Each dress has been unique, well-made, and filled with inspiration. These dresses add some fun and sparkle to our adventure photo sessions. Here are a few of the other Traveling Dress photo sessions.

• Claire & The Traveling Dress

• Miriam & The Traveling Dress

• Abby & The Traveling Dress

5 Ways My Kids Have Taught Me to Enjoy Life

Becoming a mother is one of the most amazing journeys I have been on in my adult life. Seeing my three children grow has been a source of never-ending joy. The way they approach the world and see the world has been a beautiful reminder to me that there are so many ways to enjoy life, people and the world around me.

In my work as a child and family photographer, I get a chance to capture that joy and that enthusiasm every day. Working with children and living with children, every day is an adventure. And some days, it’s exhausting. But there are so many amazing things my kids have taught me. Today, I wanted to share some of the lessons I’ve learned from my kids. Here are five things my kids have taught me that make my life more enjoyable.

5 Life Lessons from My Kids

1. It’s not hard to make friends.

As a mother to three boys, at times it feels like they will never slow down. But one thing that never ceases to amaze me is how easily they can make friends. Whether we are at a park, a playground or a birthday party, it is so easy for them to run up to another child and invite them to play. If you are warm, inviting, and kind. It’s not hard to make friends. As an adult, it feels hard to make a new friend! But if you just start talking to someone in a kind and friendly way… it isn’t hard at all!

2. Give brutally honest compliments.

I once heard one of my children yell “you have the face of an old man and I love it!” at his 3year old brother. While that might not be the best thing to shout at another human, we can still learn to be more open with our praise. Don’t hold back if you love someone, or something, and tell them why. Is your mom amazing? Tell her. Is your dad great at reading? Tell him. Is your spouse a wonderful listener? Tell them!

3. Dance for fun, at least once every day, even if you’re horrible at it.

Kids have such an amazing ability to dance like no one is watching. Anywhere. At any time, they have no hesitation to jump up and dance. It gives them such joy that I can’t help but join in! Dance isn’t only fun but there are both physical and mental health benefits. Not only is it a cardiovascular activity, but it can also help boost your mood. Recent research shows that dancing can support psychological well-being and can even decrease symptoms of both anxiety and depression. Plus, it can be a social activity. Dancing with my kids, even to the most ridiculous of songs has brought all of us great joy. Not only because it’s fun, but because it’s something we can do together.

4. While you’re at it, sing every day, too.

Having children introduced me to hundreds upon hundreds of songs. I never truly realized how many song lyrics I could store in my brain until I had kids. The joy and delight with which we can sing together brings me such happiness. Singing with my boys certainly makes my life more enjoyable. But what’s interesting is that there are actually scientifically proven benefits to singing! Singing can release endorphins that can alleviate anxiety and stress. Plus, it can improve mental function because it delivers more oxygenated blood to the brain. The brain has such an excellent memory for song that the Alzheimer’s Society has started “Singing for the Brain” sessions to help people suffering from dementia. So, when I get the chance to, I will belt out a song. Sometimes I’ll even do it without the boys!

5. Ask crazy “what if” questions, just to enjoy coming up with the answers.

What would the world look like if the sky was purple? Where would I travel if money was no object? What kind of person would I be if I was born 100 years ago? I love the way that my children ask questions about the world. The inquisitive mind of a child has curiosity about everything in the world around them. Keeping that fresh and childlike wonder alive in my brain and cultivating curiosity just for fun has truly made my life more enjoyable.

As Walt Streightiff once said: “There are no seven wonders of the world in the eyes of a child. There are seven million.”

Capturing Wonder in Kids Photo Sessions

The photos in this blog post are of my three boys. My oldest, Charlie, middle, Johnny, and youngest, Gus. Charlie is sharp, inquisitive, introverted, and very intellectual. He loves to read. Johnny is sweet, creative, deeply feeling, and loves to make things. Gus is silly, athletic, and energetic. He loves to be goofy and to roughhouse. Every day, they improve my life. And every day, I am reminded of the gifts they’ve given me. The things that I have learned by being a mother have enriched my world and made my life infinitely more enjoyable.

Never underestimate the wisdom of your kids.

5 Ways to Get Authentic Smiles at Photography Sessions

Getting real, authentic smiles can be one of the biggest challenges in a photo session. At Indy Family Photo, I’ve run into my share of kids who’ve only been told to say “Cheeeeeese” in front of the camera.

So for my family photo sessions, I strive to help my clients “relearn” how to act in front of the lens. Don’t get me wrong, a quick smile can sometimes be all a photo needs. But if you really want to capture those truly wonderful, happy moments — especially with the kiddos — then here are five quick tips to capturing authentic smiles at your next family session!

5 Ways to Photograph Authentic Smiles

1. Never Underestimate Funny Faces

For the really little kiddos (like toddlers), have mom or dad stand directly behind, or even crouched over the photographer. We’re talking as close as they can get! Then have them make the silliest faces they can. If all goes to plan, it will look like the kids are looking directly into the camera.

The mistake most people make is standing up higher, or off to the side, and the kids never look like they’re looking at the camera.

2. Grab Yourself a Sound Machine

Sound machines can be a lifesaver! I have one that makes amazing noises — everything from clapping to sad trombone to fart sounds! (You can probably guess which sound is the most popular…)

So grab a good sound machine, hit play and capture all that authentic smiles!

3. Remember the Game of Telephone?

Put your family in a row and have mom or dad start a game of telephone — only make it extra silly. This is a surefire way to get the kids rolling over with laughter.

4. Use “Bubbles”

No, not actual bubbles, though that could be fun. Instead, have the kids in the session say the word bubbles… only have them say it in their angriest voice. Or better yet, have dad say it. This never seems to fail when trying to get those authentic smiles from the kids in the session — even the adults!

5. Faking the Laughs

I love employing this technique because it always works wonders when nothing else will. Tell your subjects — the whole family — to start fake laughing as hard as they can. In a few moments, they’ll actually start laughing because the whole thing sounds so ridiculous and silly!

At Indy Family Photo, we use many of these kinds of techniques and more! We love capturing authentic smiles and laughter from our clients — it’s what we live for! If you’re interested in book a family session, or even a session just for the kids, please don’t hesitate to reach out!

Finding the Correct Wall Art Size

Most people tend to struggle with choosing what size photos to hang on their walls.  Our generation tends to like big, bold statement pieces of wall art. But our parents, on the other hand, were all about the 8x10s. 

Remember going to your grandparents' houses? They always had a ton of 4x6s in these tiny little frames — rows behind rows of their many grandchildren, all crowded together on one table!

Here at Indy Family Photo, we’re always eager to lend a helping hand.  And choosing the right size of wall art is one of our many specialties so you don’t end up with this:

Instead, we’ll steer you in the right direction so you end up with this:

And in the meantime, here are five ways we know we can help to get you the wall art you’ve been waiting for!

5 Ways WE Help YOU Choose the Right Frame Size

1. Our Sample Collection

We have samples of wall art in many ratios and sizes.  You’ll walk away with a good idea of how big a piece looks and how big someone’s face might look printed in the size.

2. No Guesswork

We can create renderings just like the ones shown above to give you an idea of how big a piece will look in your space.  That way, there’s no guesswork involved!

3. Renderings from Your Home

Even better, you (or we) can take a quick snapshot of a wall in your home and create a to-scale wall mockup of your images in your space.  You’ll know exactly how your finished art will look — and whether or not it’s appropriately sized.

4.Multiple Collections

We can recommend multiple sizes that go well together for a collection of multiple pieces of wall art.  You won’t be stuck figuring out dimensions on your own.

5. Complimentary Installation

We even offer complimentary installations with any wall art purchases.  We WANT this to be as easy as possible for you!

We are confident that we will help you make the right choices about wall art size so that it’s sized correctly for YOUR space and scaled appropriately to fit with YOUR home decor.

If you’d like to hear more about how to purchase wall art from your shoot, please don’t hesitate to reach out!

James, Jacob, and Sophia | Kids Adventure Sessions

Childhood should be an adventure. And the beautiful thing about childhood is that every tiny kiddo’s adventures are unique. There’s no “one size fits all” adventures for kids. That’s why I love thinking creatively about my adventure shoots. An Indy Family Photo Adventure Session is built to encourage children’s imaginations to run wild. From princess gowns to forest adventures, my goal is to let kids play in an imaginary dream world, and to capture those memories, smiles and laughs to be enjoyed for years to come. That’s what I did with the three Beeson kids: James, Jacob and Sofia. Each of them had their own adventure, and I had such a blast photographing them.

Adventure Photos Shoots

These adventure sessions took place at Fort Benjamin Harrison State Park, the Indy Family Photo studio, and the area outside and around the studio. Because each of the three kids have very unique personalities, I wanted to make sure that their adventures were as unique as they are! Sophia is a kind, gentle, voracious reader who loves learning. James and Jacob love being silly and fun together. James is an amazing Lego-builder, and Jacob would love to be both a farmer and a surgeon when he grows up.

I pulled together two very special adventure shoots for this family - one for Sophia, and one for the two boys together. For Sophia, we rented several dresses. What little girl doesn’t love to dress up from time to time? I photographed her at home, with the grand piano that is special to her while she was wearing one of the beautiful dresses. The resulting photos were stunning and really capture her love for music! Together, we took more photos outside the studio, and in the studio as well. I made sure to get a few pictures of her with piles of her favorite books.

For the boys, their adventure photo session happened in the studio. They got dressed up for a few photos, and I made sure to get a few photos of James (the master builder) with his Legos. After, I transformed the studio into an epic playground! I dumped out 1000+ ball pit balls for them to all play in! It was soooo fun!! Then we headed over to the state park. That’s one of the huge benefits of the Indy Family Photo studio being nestled in the heart of historic Fort Ben! Together, they played in the creek and fields.

Making Photo Memories

Both shoots were full of sibling moments of jokes, pinches, wrestling, laughs, and more. But what’s more important is that we made memories during these adventure shoots. James and Jacob found crawdads, and Sophia told us about her favorite books and who she wants to be when she grows up. It was an experience for all of us. And, best of all, it’s captured in beautiful photographs to be enjoyed for years to come.

Adventure Session Vendors:

Sophia’s red dress - by Dollcake

Sophia’s blue dress - Rent the Runway

If you love this adventure session, you might also enjoy Jodie, Trent & Drake’s Fmaily Adventure Portraits and Lola and Lillian’s Colorful Adventure Session!

Inside a Portrait Order

Photo sessions don’t end when the camera is put away. In fact, that’s only the beginning of the process. When you book a family photo session or a kid’s photography session, the photoshoot itself is just the beginning. About two weeks after your session, you’ll return to the studio for a viewing and ordering appointment… and that’s when the magic really begins.

Inside a Portrait Order

At your ordering appointment, you’ll get a chance to review all the completed images from your ordering session. That’s where together, we’ll create the perfect combination of digital files, custom photo albums, and heirloom-quality wall art to complete your order. By creating custom albums and wall art, we can create products to display your finished images in a way that best suits your family, your style, and the photos from your session.

The Greene Family booked an extended family portrait session and it was wonderful to be able to capture so many generations of one family. To commemorate these beautiful photos, they chose a fingerprint-proof album with display box and a large piece of Italian wall art for Grandma and Grandpa. The kids all shared the digital files from the photo session to make smaller prints.

Heirloom Quality Italian Wall Art

This is a fairly common order for family sessions involving an extended family. Everyone gets to enjoy and share the digital images, but Grandma and Grandpa get to enjoy the huge and beautifully printed products every day. These printed art pieces are very practical products. It’s an ideal size and scale to hang one statement piece over the fireplace to celebrate their family.

The canvas is expertly hand-finished in Italy and printed with eco-friendly ink. It’s mounted on a solid frame, so that there is no rippling of the canvas during the change of seasons or shifts in humidity within the home. With this high-quality canvas, you can't rip a hole in it if a kiddo accidentally throws a football or toy into it. (Which would never happen, right? Hah!) Each corner is precisely and carefully folded for a pristine finish and it even comes with a signed certificate of authenticity on the back. These gorgeous Italian wall art pieces are easy to hang, but complimentary installation is included with your purchase!

Thank you to the Greene family for trusting me to capture your family session. I’m sure Grandma and Grandpa will love seeing all of your smiling faces in this show-stopping wall display.

An Indy Family Photo Session is the perfect way to capture your real smiles, real laughter, and real family moments together. For more information about our family sessions and our Italian wall art, feel free to reach out!

Modern Kids' Photo Sessions

It wasn’t all that long ago when getting your pictures taken meant a stuffy backdrop, forced smiles, and awkward poses. The resulting family portraits were equally as awkward! But that is not the case with portrait sessions at Indy Family Photo! We have modern kids sessions where the focus is on your kiddos and their unique personalities. Here's what a modern kids session at Indy Family Photo is like!

Modern Kids’ Sessions at Indy Family Photo

What’s so different about a photo session at Indy Family Photo? Here’s what happens during our modern kids’ sessions.

Photo Sessions Filled with Personality

Our kids’ sessions are all about celebrating the lives of your children, no matter their ages. It’s my goal that everyone should have an amazing time during their photo session. That’s why the sessions are focused on your little one. Not all kids have the same tastes and that’s what makes it fun! I take the time and care during the photo session to capture the personalities and quirks in each of your little ones.

Simple Photo Backdrops

Rather than having elaborate, fancy backdrops, a Modern Kids Session features a simple photo backdrop here in the studio. With a white or grey backdrop, we’ll capture tons of personality! I found that using a simple photo backdrop really lets a kid’s personality shine.

Photo Props? Why Not!

I welcome any props that will help your little ones feel at home. Feel free to bring their favorite toys, dress-up accessories, super hero capes and more! If your little one is a soccer whiz, bring the ball so they can show off. It’s all about capturing your little one, and who they are right now. Kids change so much and go through so many amazing stages. It’s important to me to capture their personality today in all its wild, crazy, individual glory.

Timeless Photography

Say so long to those old fashioned ‘school picture’ photo sessions! Our modern kids’ sessions are never trendy or dated looking with cheesy décor. You will be happy to hang up these photos on your walls. They’ll look great on your walls or on your mantel forever! Or, if you prefer a more hands-on look, you might consider putting your unique children’s portraits into a photo album to keep those precious memories close at hand.

Fun Kids’ Photography at Indy Family Photo

This is a photo of my own kiddo, who absolutely loves to hang out at the photo studio. For this shot, I pulled out our jumbo fan (which we affectionately call the "Beyonce fan") and he ran and jumped in his batman cape and just loved every minute of it. That’s what modern kids’ photo sessions are all about. Kids being kids. Kids having fun. Kids having the freedom and permission to be fully themselves. And me with a camera to document the whole thing.

Are you ready to schedule your own modern kids photo session? Make sure to reach out and contact me to talk more. I’ll be in touch shortly!

Baby William Lifestyle Family Photography

One of the greatest compliments a photography client can pay me is to invite me to photograph them again. That was the case with Matt and Talia. I am so pleased that I got to spend time with them again to photograph their sweet kiddo, William. I can’t believe he’s already one year old! I’m so happy I could return to their home for another lifestyle photography session.

In-Home Family Photography

I had originally had the chance to meet and photograph this precious family for William’s in-home lifestyle session and I loved being there to photograph those special moments.

Dad is a doctor, a private pilot, speaks Spanish fluently, AND plays the piano beautifully! Mom works part-time and loves hanging out with William and watching sports. They live in a beautifully restored home in old Indianapolis where they surround little William with love.

When it comes to being a child and family photographer, one of my greatest joys is being able to see little ones as they grow. I can’t believe how time has flown by and William has grown from a wide-eyed inquisitive newborn into an active little boy! He is crawling around like crazy and already LOVES to play piano with daddy.

In-Home Cake Smash Milestone Session

To celebrate Baby William turning one, we did an in-home lifestyle, mini-smash, and bath session since they have recently moved to their new home. I loved spending time with the family all around their home, taking pictures of Mom and baby reading in the nursery, William watching Dad play the piano, and all the fun William had at bath time! Part of what makes in-home lifestyle photography such a great option for a photoshoot is that we can just let life happen. I get to photograph a true day in the life with real, candid smiles and natural moments filled with love and laughter.

When it was time for the cake smash, we got Baby William all up in his high chair. He was going to town on his cupcake! He was truly enjoying himself. But then, he noticed that Dad was eating a cupcake and he started to cry. William had forgotten that there still was an entire cupcake in his hand!

Talia and Matt, thank you for trusting me to photograph your precious memories. It was such a pleasure to be able to visit your beautiful home and photograph these special moments with little William!

Location Highlight: Flat Fork Creek Park

As a family, one of our favorite parks to play at is Flat Fork Creek Park in Fishers, IN. While it doesn't have a playground, there is a creek that we love to stomp in, treehouses for the kids to climb up into (the older kids especially love the treehouse that has a ladder!), and a field in front of the woods FULL of beautiful bird and cricket sounds. Flat Fork Creek Park has beauty in all four seasons with the acres of woods, sweeping views, and snowy sledding hills. In the spring and summer, we usually see lots of butterflies and catch some tiny toads while walking around the meadow and field trails.

Not only is it a wonderful location for kids to play in, but it makes for amazing family photography. When I’m photographing kids, I love to be able to do so in places where I can capture kids being kids and the magic of childhood. That’s part of why I love Flat Fork Creek Park.

Six Things to Love about Flat Fork Creek Park

1. The gorgeous natural beauty, with a variety of areas — woods, creeks, fields. Beautiful rich colors in the summer and fall.

2. The sweeping views and sledding hill. While we don't have many naturally hilly areas in Indianapolis, this sledding hill immediately makes it look as though we've transported you to Kentucky or Ireland. We can also climb toward the top of the hill to capture gorgeous, wide-open skies in a unique way.

3. There are so many wooden structures and features like the Boardwalk Bridge. During a family photo session, we can also go under the bridge for more photos with the wooden architecture. Kids love exploring underneath!

4. It's an easy drive for the northeast side of Indianapolis. It’s fairly close to Castleton, Fishers, Geist, McCordsville, and Fortville areas.

5. With its huge lot, parking is a breeze.

6. There are clean bathroom facilities, drinking fountains, and cool treehouses for your kiddos to explore throughout our photoshoot.

Things to keep in mind for Family Photo Sessions at Flat Fork Creek Park

Flat Fork Creek Park effortlessly lends itself to fun, unrushed family photo sessions. If you’re thinking about scheduling a family photo session to capture real smiles and real family fun at the park, here are a few tips to consider!

Wear sensible shoes

When wandering through Flat Fork Creek Park, keep in mind that parts of the trail are not paved. While the trails are still easily accessible, the uneven terrain makes it important for shoes that stay firmly on your feet. For small kiddos, avoid flip flops so they don’t slip!

Bug spray

In the late summer, there can be a lot of mosquitos out! With the wooded areas, especially as the sun begins to set, the bugs can be pesky. I love the golden, beautiful light that happens at sunset for photos, so having bug spray or bug repellent wipes is a huge help. It can make sure everyone is still comfortable and smiling in their pictures.

Find the Right Light for the Best Photos

Because large parts of the park are in full sun, we'll want to time your photoshoot around sunrise or sunset to get that gorgeous, golden glow.

Avoid the Busiest Seasons

The park is very, VERY popular and crowded for photoshoots in October. So, if you have your heart set on boardwalk photos, aim for a morning shoot. If you (or your kiddos) aren’t morning people, let's book a different month.

If you are interested in booking a family photography session at Flat Fork Creek Park, please make sure to reach out and we will be in touch!

Baby Fiona Lifestyle Newborn Session

Welcoming a newborn into your family is a beautiful, emotional time. As a newborn and family photographer, I love when I have the opportunity to document these early days as everyone in the family gets to know its newest member. That’s why it was such a real pleasure to meet up with Molly, Sean and Fiona to welcome baby Fiona with a newborn lifestyle photography session in their home.

Welcome Baby Fiona

Welcoming a new baby sister can sometimes be daunting for older siblings, but not for Kiera! Kiera is SO excited about being a big sister. She was so happy every time Fiona did something cute… or silly… or anything really! Kiera would break out into giggles, which was super cute. Photographing a newborn lifestyle shoot in a family’s home means that we can include all members of the family. So, for this session, they included their dog, Scrappy-doo in the photoshoot. Scrappy-doo is a super excited Great Dane, but he was also so sweet and so gentle with little, tiny Fiona.

In-Home Newborn Lifestyle Photography

Part of why I love in-home newborn sessions is that everyone can be more relaxed and comfortable. Plus, I get a chance to see the beautiful nurseries! I loved the custom-made Fiona decal that Molly had ordered from Etsy! It was so elegant against the rich navy blue of the walls.  

While Molly and Sean opted for an in-home session, we did an add-on to their newborn session with the white studio images. I was able to recreate the studio backdrop and lighting in their home, since they live so far away from the Indy Family Photo Studio. This gave us the perfect way to capture every aspect of the newborn phase, combining candid lifestyle images with gently posed studio newborn photographs. Fiona only slept for a few wrapped photos, and then started giving us some wide-awake photos, which meant we could see her gorgeous eyes! She was such an inquisitive baby. Even though Fiona is tiny, she is already rocking an incredible amount of hair!

Molly and Sean opted for a beautiful photo album with a rich navy colored leather. It will look gorgeous with Fiona’s nursery décor! Everyone in the family will be able to enjoy these photos for years to come. I can already picture the two sisters sitting together and looking through it!

Molly and Sean, thank you for inviting me into your home to document these precious moments with your family. I am so happy I got to meet your beautiful girls.

Abby & The Traveling Dress

If there’s one thing that makes my job as a family photographer even more rewarding than it already is, it’s how I have a chance to see a family again and again. That’s the case with the Lund family. I have loved being able to photograph them through the years as their three amazing kiddos grow. I photographed an in-home family lifestyle photography shoot for them earlier this year, but when I met up with them for family portraits at the Indianapolis Central Public Library, it was for another fun occasion: A Little Dreamers Tutus Traveling Dress Photoshoot!

Abby and the Traveling Dress

I’ve photographed a few of the Little Dreamers Tutus Traveling Dresses, and every dress has been something that little girls dream of wearing. There’s something so magical about putting on a beautiful gown like something out of a fairytale. Something about dressing up like a fairytale princess makes a little girl’s heart sing. Abby was no exception. She was in LOVE with the dress. With her long, long hair, she looked like the princess of the library.

While the photoshoot was mostly focused on the traveling dress, we took portraits of the whole family. Everyone dressed up for the occasion! Sam, the oldest, is super sweet. He showed off his flossing skills, as well as his missing teeth! He’s growing up SO fast. Little Matthew was not in love with the camera, but we still managed to squeeze out some smiles. Amanda (Mom) looked absolutely stunning in her gown, by Chiara Boni La Petite Robe, from Rent the Runway, and her purple hair lowlights were so pretty next to Abby's dress. Abby's hair bow matched the bow ties of the boys (although Matthew didn't want to wear his!).

Indianapolis Central Public Library Photography

The Central Library is a gorgeous location, a great option for taking family portraits during the cold months so you can stay warm. A permit is required, but that can be easily arranged between our staff and the library staff. There are a LOT of gorgeous nooks and crannies here, and a wide variety of architectural styles between the old, original building and the new, modern addition. I loved how the style of the photographs changed as we moved from area to area and I am so pleased at what a great backdrop it was for this family photo session.

Amanda and Stephen, thank you for continuing to trust me to photograph your family. I am so happy that I can document these moments and memories for you.

Enjoy these other Little Dreamers Tutus Traveling Dress Photo Sessions

Here are the other Traveling Dress Photo Sessions that I’ve enjoyed photographing! Each dress and each little girl truly have a style all their own.

• MJ’s Magical Woodland Photo Shoot

• Miriam’s Dreamy Library Photo Session

• Claire’s Sparkling Studio Session

Vendors for this Photo Session

Amanda's dress: by Chiara Boni La Petite Robe, from Rent the Runway

Abby & Amanda's hair: styled at The Dry Bar

Abby's dress: The Traveling Dress project from Little Dreamers Tutus

Sentimental Activities to do Before Baby Comes

Pregnancy is such a beautiful, exciting time in a woman’s life. The weeks and months before baby arrives are filled with exciting milestones. Before you know it, that sweet little bundle will be here, changing your world in all-new adorable ways.

There are so many precious moments during a pregnancy. The moment you find out you’re expecting, the reveal to friends and loved ones, the moment you find out the gender, the very first kicks and flutters as you get to know the tiny human within you… they are all so special, no matter how many children you have. In the work we do at Indy Family Photo, I get to meet a lot of wonderful expecting women. To celebrate the happiness in pregnancy, I wanted to share a few special things you can do before baby comes.

Write a Letter to Baby

One sentimental activity you can do before baby comes is write a letter! All these beautiful feelings that you are feeling, you can write down and share with your little one when they are older. Write a letter to them to share how excited you are to welcome them to the world and to your family. Hold onto it and gift it to your little one on their 10th birthday, or another important milestone! You can even include it in your baby album and it will be a wonderful keepsake for your little one to appreciate.

Celebrate the Siblings

Another special thing to do before baby comes is to throw a "big brother" or "big sister" party for your older child(ren). It’s a nice way to make sure they feel special during this time. Guests can include family members, family friends, and their own friends! Have everyone write advice on "how to be a good older sibling" on scrapbooking paper, and maybe even have them decorate it. After the party, bind the papers into a fun book!

Book a Maternity Photoshoot!

There’s no better way to celebrate your upcoming bundle of joy than scheduling a maternity photoshoot with us at the studio. Our maternity sessions can be customized to you, whether an intimate in-homes maternity session, a studio session, or a maternity session at a place of your choosing. A maternity photoshoot is as unique as you and your pregnancy, so I will work with you to style the photo session of your dreams. The best time to schedule a maternity shoot is around month seven or eight of your pregnancy. That’s the pregnancy sweet spot, when you’re glowing, but not too exhausted.

Have a Date Night

Go out on a date night while it's still just the two of you! Have fun dreaming about the days to come. Write out guesses as to what your life will be like — and what your baby will be doing — when they are 3, 6, 9, and 12 months old. Read the lists when you hit those milestones to see how wrong (or right) you really were! And… maybe grab a laugh at how soon you thought baby would be sleeping through the night ;)

Book a Newborn Session

We have so many options for newborn photography, both lifestyle newborn photography and studio newborn photography. It’s never too early to book a newborn photography session and at Indy Family Photo we make it as easy as possible for you. We know that you and your family are adjusting to a new normal, so we take time and care to make sure that your little one is safe, warm and happy all through the photo session. It’s a common misconception that you need to have a baby before you book your newborn session, so feel free to call to schedule a consultation!

The Barton Family | Cool Creek Park

In October I met up with Kelly, Brian and their two kiddos at Cool Creek Park to photograph their fall family session. I love family photo sessions at Cool Creek Park! It doesn’t even look like Indiana! It has a nature-based play area for kids that is really fun. There are stumps to climb on, hollow trees to hide in, and so many places for little ones to adventure! My favorite part of photographing kids is allowing them to truly be themselves, and photo sessions at Cool Creek Park make that so easy!

Family Photography at Cool Creek Park

It was a beautiful day when I met up with the Barton clan. I loved seeing them all interact together as a family. They have SUCH a fun dynamic, and I really thought that their family pictures captured their unique personalities.

Big sister was not warming up to the camera. I had to coax her with the promise of piggyback rides as we moved between locations. She LOVED that! They also brought their sweet pup, Heiland to the photoshoot. He had a hard time staying still until we were completely done with the photoshoot! We managed to sneak him into a few photos!

Cool Creek Park made such a fun backdrop for this photo session, with ninety acres of lush, green wilderness, four miles of wooded trails, and tons of interesting places to play. It was so much fun to take pictures down by the water. The natural elements and wooded areas made this a wonderful spot for the whole family to play.

Beautiful Family Photo Albums

To preserve these precious photo memories, Kelly chose to have us create a photo album for her. She selected a beautiful metallic color, which coordinated wonderfully with the colors of her fall photo session. For her paper, she chose a slightly shiny lustre paper, which is durable and kid-friendly! We designed the album for her here at Indy Family Photo and I am so pleased that she will be able to share these memories with her kiddos for years to come.

If you are interested in scheduling a family photo session of your own, please make sure to contact us! We love photographing families in fun locations all around the Indianapolis area!

Product Highlight: Photo Albums

Photographs are meant to be seen and enjoyed. When I meet with families here at the Indy Family Studio, we begin with the end in mind, talking about how you would like to enjoy the images we capture during your photography session. So often, photographs end up saved on a device or your Instagram feed… and are never seen again. One of the best ways to enjoy your photographs is in a beautifully designed photo album!

Featured Product: Photo Albums

Today, I wanted to talk about the photo albums we offer. Our albums are amazing. These photo albums are far better than anything you can get at a 24-hr photo place, or even a large photography goods website. Indy Family Photo is a professional photography studio, which means we have access to the top print labs in the country. We’ll make sure you get a finished product of utmost quality.

Photo Album Features:

When I say “photo album” you might think of the thick, yellowing books from the 80’s that your grandparents keep. But today’s technology has evolved. A photo album is now a gorgeous keepsake that can be enjoyed and shared for years to come.

High-Quality Pages

These albums have thick pages and lay-flat panorama spreads for those show-stopping moments that capture your children’s personalities. They are printed on archival paper, keeping your images looking perfect up to 100-200 years before any signs of yellowing. The pages are fingerprint-proof (because we love the intersection of quality and practicality!), which gorgeous linen, leather, velvet, or sued cover options.

Custom Layout and Design

When it comes to designing the photo album, there’s no need for you to spend your precious time figuring out the layout, which photos to put on which pages, getting the borders just right, and the order of the photos. Our photographer-designed albums are done completely for you! There is no need for you to spend your time designing an album when you could be spending time with your family - we make it as easy and convenient as possible.

Create a Family Keepsake

Portraits are meant to be enjoyed for years, and albums are a fantastic way to share images with your little ones. As they grow up, move out, and come back to visit, they'll still pull out old photo albums to relive those memories.

Complimentary Photo Album

I feel so strongly about the importance of photo albums that all digital file purchases of ten images or more come with a complimentary photo album. I WANT you to enjoy them for the rest of your life!!

At Indy Family Photo, we will walk every step of the way with you from booking your photoshoot through selecting and purchasing your favorite images. Are you ready to make some beautiful photo memories? Make sure to schedule a consultation today.

The Nikkel Family | Fort Benjamin Harrison State Park

There’s something special about Fort Benjamin Harrison State Park in the fall. The way the leaves explode into warm colors makes it a perfect backdrop for family photography sessions. Fort Benjamin Harrison State Park has wonderful wide-open fields for kiddos to run and play in. The wildflower fields are actually most beautiful in the fall, and provided an amazing backdrop for our portrait session!

Fort Benjamin Harrison State Park Photo Session

The Nikkel family has three amazing kiddos: Grace, Norah, and Pete. Together they were such fun to photograph. They were super silly and loved playing together. Pete wanted to do EVERYTHING his sisters did. But, most of all, he loved snuggling with Mommy throughout the session. Pete gave the best hugs and the sweetest kisses.

Grace and Norah were pretty much inseparable. They had so much fun playing together between shots and location changes as we wandered through the park together. These three kids had such fun, silly energy. Part of what makes photographing families so interesting is to document that beautiful energy young kids have. It’s so awesome to see how they explore, play and experience the world at different ages. As a mother of three myself, it’s so much fun to photograph children when they are having a blast, and even better when they are having a blast TOGETHER.

An Indy Family Photo Session is all about capturing fun candid moments with real laughter, real smiles, and real emotions. If you would like to schedule your own family photo session with your children, I would love to hear from you!

Epic Holiday Cards: The Beeson Family

When you imagine an epic holiday card, what do you imagine? What goes into the kind of holiday card that gets hung on the refrigerator door for months to come? What about the holiday cards that get framed and saved for years to come? Well. Whatever it is that you imagine, the Beeson family is going to raise that bar! I loved collaborating with them to create their holiday card this year at the Indy Family Photo Studio!

Family Photography | Truly Epic Holiday Cards

Every year, the Beeson family makes it a point to create THE Christmas card to beat! Their goal is to create something truly memorable… dare I say, epic. A good holiday card should make you smile, let out a good chuckle, and get excited about the holiday season. But what makes the best holiday cards are ones that remind you of their personalities and why you love them.

For this year’s holiday card photo shoot, the Beeson family took on a fun election theme. Mom and Dad, along with the three kiddos Sophia, James and Jacob all brought their personalities and creative ideas to their photo session at the Indy Family Photo Studio! Dad is an ER surgeon, so we tied that into his campaign slogan. We did some research for James’ campaign promises. We found out that there is such a thing as a state beverage…. Apparently, Indiana’s is water?! Milk is clearly a better choice, so James has my vote. Sophia was going for a Ruth Bader Ginsberg vibe, so she donned a smart pantsuit and every political and Christmas brooch she could find! I loved how everyone’s wit and humor was evident in their portraits.

When the finished products arrived, their holiday card order weighed in at a whopping 17.7 pounds!!! They really went all the way, decking out the holiday cards with every last detail: from gold envelope liners to (of course) American flag stamps.

Thank you very much to the Beeson family for including me in your holiday fun. I loved photographing you for this truly amazing holiday card, and I can’t wait to see what you think up for next year!

A Special 'Thank You' to Our Families this Holiday Season

As we look back on the year, it's a time to reflect on what really matters. To us at Indy Family Photo, it's family — and preserving those memories and celebrating those relationships.

Thank You — From All of Us at Indy Family Photo

We are so grateful that you’ve given us the opportunity to meet each and every one of you. We’ve had a blast documenting your children’s unique and beautiful personalities! Getting the chance to deliver heirloom art that will be enjoyed for years to come by your families has been a lifelong dream of ours, and we feel truly blessed every day that we get to make that dream come true!

Our main hope is that every time you look back at the photos we’ve created with you, you can relive those moments and memories all over again. That’s what makes it all worthwhile.

So from the bottom of our hearts, we wanted to thank all of you for allowing us to celebrate family with you this past year.

And as we head into 2020, we’re so excited for all of the new wonderful and beautiful memories we plan on helping to create over the next year.

We’d like to wish everyone a happy holiday as 2019 comes to a close — and what a fantastic year it has been! We hope everyone can spend the end of December enjoying the company of family and we can’t wait to see what the future holds in 2020!

Here are some of our favorite photos from the past year!

What to Expect at a Newborn Lifestyle Shoot

We have two great options for newborn and baby photography: in-studio and lifestyle. Today, I wanted to share more about what a newborn lifestyle shoot is like. There are some meaningful differences between a newborn photoshoot in a studio and a newborn lifestyle shoot. While both photography sessions yield beautiful images of you and your newest arrival, there are some differences in what the photo session will be like and the resulting photographs. Here is what to expect with a newborn lifestyle photography session.

Newborn Lifestyle Photography

Lifestyle photography is in-home, relaxed, and focused on you bonding with your child in your home. Rather than bringing your little one out to the studio, we basically bring the studio to you. While in your home, we’ll capture important details of your life like the nursery, and important moments like you holding your baby, rocking your baby, or snuggling together. Lifestyle newborn photography is all about capturing candid moments of you living your life. That means we can photograph you doing pretty much anything… bathing, nursing/feeding, or playing with your child. It’s all up to you, and of course, what little one needs!

A newborn lifestyle photography session is a very low-stress session. That makes it a great photography option for very young babies; from two to six weeks of age. One of the great things about having an in-home photography session is that you can include all members of your family, no matter how many legs they have! Brothers and sisters, cats and dogs—all can get involved with the photos.

One of the differences that you’ll see when we move from a studio session to an in-home lifestyle newborn session is that there are fewer posed shots. Those sleepy, smushed baby poses that you see on Pinterest? We wouldn’t do those in a lifestyle session. There will be few formal posed shots and no backdrops. The portraits will mainly be of you holding the baby, getting to know this new addition to your family.

Frequently Asked Questions About Newborn Lifestyle Sessions

How long will it take?

A lifestyle session will typically last 45 minutes, but it can last as long as 2 hours if we stop frequently for nursing and diaper breaks. It’s intentionally an unhurried session. I won’t have anyone scheduled right after you. So, there’s no worry about us not getting shots because baby is unhappy. These sessions are laid back and relaxed. We’ll work around your needs.

Is my house okay for a photo session?

You don’t need to have a designer home or super bright rooms for one of our sessions. All you need is one nice window and we are all set!

I just had a baby. Do I have to clean?

No, mama. There’s no need to clean the whole house. Just declutter one or two areas and you’re done! We can even do this during the photoshoot by just moving things out of the shot. You’re busy with a newborn and don’t need to worry about cleaning! I get that!

Do I need to move furniture?

Don’t worry about this ahead of time. We might move some furniture a bit on the day of, just to make sure the lighting is gorgeous.

When will I get my pictures?

About 2-3 weeks after the session, you’ll come back to the Indy Family Photo studio to select your finished images for artwork. Most of our lifestyle clients opt for albums or several wall pieces rather than one huge image for the wall, because of the story-telling feeling that these images have.

Are you expecting a new arrival? Contact me now! It’s  never too early to talk about scheduling a newborn photography session—whether at the Indy Family Photo Studio or a relaxed, in-home lifestyle portrait session. I would love to tell your story with beautiful images.

Claire & The Traveling Dress

As a child photographer, my first and most important goal in my photography is to capture the magic and joy in childhood. My job is to photograph the joy, the wonder, the giggles, and the wildness. That’s why I have loved being a part of the Little Dreamers Tutus Traveling Dress Project. With every dress comes a new adventure, a new dream, and new smiles. The first traveling dress project photo session was MJ’s princess session with the Alyssa dress.

When it came time for Claire’s traveling dress photo session at the Indy Family Photo historic studio, I was so excited to see her reaction to the beautiful gown. It was so much fun to document Claire’s joy during her studio photography session.

The Traveling Dress Project: A Sparkling Studio Session

Claire is a four-year-old with a wild, vivid imagination. For her Traveling Dress, we had the Hadley Dress in rust. I had a chance to photograph the Hadley Dress in purple for Miriam’s dreamy library photo session, so it was such fun to see it in another color!

Claire LOVED this dress and she floofed and flounced her way around the studio. In fact, she had trouble holding still at all because she was just SO excited. Really, though, I couldn’t blame her! Claire loved the sparkles, the stars, and the gold confetti. She would throw her head back after tossing up the confetti and she nearly swallowed some of it! Claire thought it was hilarious. When I brought out the princess crown, she was a little unsure, but those facial expressions she made while she was wearing it were priceless! The sparkling star confetti and the princess crown were both Amazon finds.

Photography is all about telling a story without using words. I am so happy to be able to share the joy and the happiness that Claire had when she got to be a princess with me in the Indy Family Photo Studio. I love my clients and sharing their stories. If you would like me to capture the story of your kiddo, please reach out! I would love to hear from you.

Miriam & The Traveling Dress

When I heard about Little Dreamers Tutus’ Traveling Dress Project, I was both excited and inspired. These exquisite, couture gowns are the dresses of little girls’ dreams. Earlier this year, my first Traveling Dress photo session with MJ was an amazing experience, so I was so excited to meet up with Miriam when another traveling dress arrived!

The Traveling Dress Project: A Dreamy Library Photo Session

Seven-year-old Miriam is an avid reader. She reads three to four hours a day! So, the library was the perfect location for her fun photo session with a traveling dress! We met up at the Central Public Library in Indianapolis to capture this dreamy photo session!

Miriam is also a ballerina. She moved around the library with such elegance and grace that other visitors stopped to watch us. The traveling dress for this session was the Hadley gown. The gown was made from a rich taffeta with a beautiful sheen making the purple color softly shimmer in the light. The dress was simple and elegant, with a full skirt with a fluffy tulle skirt sewn in underneath. It made swishing up and down the rows of bookcases so fun for Miriam! The dress had a wonderful structure and texture, making it so easy to photograph! I paired the gown with the “Illuminate Cape” from Tutu du Monde and a sparkling headband by Sienna Likes to Party. Both of these fun accessories were rented from Rainey’s Closet for a head to toe princess look!

The Central Public Library provided so many great photography opportunities with the wide staircase and the rows and rows of books. At one point, we wandered down one aisle and I asked her to grab a book and pretend to read. Pretend?? A booklover like Miriam wasn’t about to PRETEND to read! Instead, she grabbed a book and actually read it to me. It was some of Walt Whitman's work. I was so impressed with how at home Miriam was in the library.

Childhood should be a time filled with magic, dreams, and adventures. I was so happy to photograph this dreamy library photo session with this gorgeous traveling dress from Little Dreamers Tutus. Capturing precious moments like these is one of the best parts about my job as a child photographer! If you are interested in your own dreamy photo session, make sure to contact me at the Indy Family Photo Studio!