The photo I almost didn’t take

And why now it’s among my favorites


When my oldest son was around 11, he started coming to me every day for a hug. Sometimes I’d be in the kitchen, with messy hands. Other times I’d be chilling on the couch, or on the phone, and no matter what, I would drop everything to give him his hug (and get mine).

And you know that saying about how shoemaker's kids never have shoes? Well, that’s not my case. Since I became a mother, my camera is always close, so one day, I asked my 7-year-old daughter to take a picture of us.

The picture is far from perfect, but I love it. Especially now that my son is way taller than me and I am the one begging for hugs.

Make it stand out

I know that this 2017 photo, taken by a toddler, might not blow you away. But my son is now a head taller than I am, he lives in a different country and I’m the one who comes for a hug when we’re together. So this is one of those moments I never want to forget.

Seeing this picture on my wall every day doesn't actually make me nostalgic (ok maybe a little); it actually fills me with joy to remember that it actually happened, and that I have this image, and many others, to remember.

What I’m trying to say is, it's those apparently insignificant moments, that really matter, the ones we don't always pay attention to, until one day they're gone. The ones that are easiest to forget, but that often hold the essence of our lives. The connections, the emotions and feelings, are what’s worth capturing, and remembering.

Like my husband reading in bed with my two smallest, the same book every night, how they used to play outside, (until they started hiding in their caves rooms), or inside, doing homework together. Laughs, meltdowns, even fights.

Not necessarily big, loud, funny moments, also moments of connection and of being together.

"Enjoy the little things in life, because one day you'll look back and realize they were big things"

(Kurt Vonnegut)

That's why every now and then, I too, hire a someone to capture us as we are. The last time it involved a New Zealand photographer, my sister, her family, and my folks.

She stayed a day and a half with us and those photos, which now hang on our walls and are in my coffee table in the form of a photo book, are among my most treasured things, next to all of our family’s photobooks.

Pictures that have me in them. That remind my children that I was there, too, and how much I love them.

Having those emotions and moments in photo books that we can touch, and seeing them daily on my walls, is priceless, for them and for me.

If you’ve read this far I guess this resonates with you.

Maybe you're thinking about getting some family pictures taken, or perhaps you've already visited a photography studio. Maybe you’re the one in charge of taking the family pictures, so you’re rarely in the picture.

But hey,

Have ever thought about having a photographer capture you and your family just as you are?


No fancy setups, no matching clothes or stiff poses, just your real, awesome selves, doing your thing. Whether it's baking together, hitting up the local ice cream parlor or just walking the dog.

Or walking around Munich, if you are just visiting.

Why not keep those everyday memories forever? They're a reminder of all the love and joy your family shares, every-single-day.

And the best part is that you don't have to do anything special or different than any other day. It’s about your life right now. Those moments that happen everyday, that you take for granted, until one day they simply stop happening. Can you remember the last day you breastfed your baby? Or the last time you red in bed with them?

Think of those special moments you share with your loved ones, don’t you want to keep them for ever?


Husband and teenager-approved: no dressing up or following instructions required, no planning or tiding up, not even smiling at the camera. The one and only requirement is that you guys spend some time together. And you can relax and enjoy that time with them, because for once, you will be in front of the camera.

How does it work?

My sessions are relaxed and chill, you don’t need to prepare or do anything differently, everyone can and should wear what they would normally wear. In fact, no matching clothes please!

I won’t ask you to pose or do anything for me, not even look at the camera. You won’t need to prepare for the session or go to the hairdressers the day before, and even though you will obviously realise I’m there, you will soon forget that my camera is there.

All you will need to do is spend time together, as usual, and I’ll do the rest.

I will come to your place, to your hotel, or to a location of your choice, and I will spend anything between 2 hours and a whole day with you, or even more if you want to take me with you on vacation!

I'm totally cool with the everyday chaos around the house. It's all part of the charm, every item has its own story, and in any case, it’s my job to make sure that the focus is on your family, not the mess (if there’s any). So you don’t even need to tidy up.

Prices range between 700€ for a two hour session and 2000€ for a whole day with you (around 8 hours), but my most sold session is something in between, between breakfast and lunch, or from lunchtime until they go to bed (about 4 hours), for 1200€ .

If, and only if, this sounds like a good fit, hit the button below or send me an email and we can arrange a time to virtually chat and see our faces, or I can explain everything per email if you are not the phone type. You tell me about your family, I walk you through how it all works, and you can ask any questions that might bother you.

No pressure, no commitment at this point; it's totally okay if you're still mulling it over.

Once you are happy with the process and decided to have the photoshoot of your life (see what I did there?), we will sign a contract and lock in a date, but I will explain everything before you make any commitments.

After the big day, I won’t lie to you, you will need to be patient, but you know that ancient proverb, “good things happen to those who wait”, so expect no less than 8 weeks until you see the final product.

And when you get to see your photos, it will feel like traveling back in time to all those moments again. Kind of like ordering pizza but a bit longer, so worth it in the end!

PS. This is a great idea for a vacation, so everyone can relax and concentrate on enjoying the trip, while someone else (me!) is making sure to that everyone is in the pictures.

LET'S TALK

FAQs

  • The perfect moment is now, so why postpone it?

    I only take one session per week and I travel a lot, if you have a specific date in mind (specially if it’s on a weekend), get in touch with me as soon as possible.

    Unsolicited tip: it’s easier to find a slot during the week.

  • Whatever you would wear if I weren’t there. Please please please no matching clothes or showing up as if you were going to the Oscars, it’s about real life, remember?

  • It’s my job to make the most of your interactions. So as long as you are not glued to your phones or other types of screens, there are no boring families. That said, please, no screens during the time we will be together.

  • I’m actually secretly hoping you don’t have perfectly behaved kids, and in any case, they should be their usual selves.

    If your childen are very active or independent, I will love to capture their personaities, and the same goes for quieter children. This is the beauty of this approach.

  • Yes, you will get them all, high and low resolution, so you can print them and share them with your loved ones.

    I would love to include a photo book, but I know this doesn’t always work with visiting families, so digital files it is.

    However, I will be more than happy to craft your photo book, I know from my own experience that it’s something we keep postponing, sometimes for ever, and I believe a picture is not a picture until it’s printed, so please do ask if you want prints or a book. I also have access to professional labs, if you know what I mean.

  • Of course, in fact, you will automatically be included in my “favorite people” list if you order prints or a book.

    Please have the pictures printed!

    Whether I do it for you or you do it by yourself, a photo is not a photo until it is printed, before that it’s just a digital file that can get lost, outdated or accidentally deleted.

    Also, I have access to professional labs, I can show you examples so you can tell the difference between a professional lab and a consumer printer.

  • No, I don’t. On the opposite, I rise my prices every year.

    But here’s the deal: if you book me every year, you will keep the same price as the year before.

  • That’s the beauty of these sessions. They take way longer than studio sessions because no one has to do anything differently than if I wasn’t there. There is no need to get ready, no need to pose, you can all be on your PJs if you want, I won’t ask anyone to look at the camera or pose for me.

    These sessions are 100% kid (and husband!) friendly.

  • Yes indeed, you can book me for a whole day or even take me with you in your travels.

    Sessions start at 2 hours, but they can be 3, 4, etc. hours long.

    Get in touch with me and we can talk about what you have in mind.

  • I love vacation sessions, everybody is relaxed, enjoying their holiday, and specially one person is relieved they don’t have to take pictures for one day. You can see one of my first vacation sessions here.

    If you are thinking about the photo book, we can address that in the call.

  • Yes I do. If you would like me to come to you, get in touch with me and we will make it happen.

    The costs of traveling are not included in the price though, but I’m sure you knew that before asking.

  • I totally get where you're coming from, but here's the thing: I am not there to capture perfect poses and smiley faces. My job is to capture the messy hair, the chaos and the genuine connections.

    The beauty of my sessions lies in the authenticity.

    So if you are still worried about how you look, I can help you find a photographer who is more in tune with what oure looking for.

  • Yes, I photograph events as well. The approach is the same less posing, more spontaneity.

    Get in touch with me and let’s talk.

  • Of course, we can find time at the beginning of at the end of the session for some traditional portraits.

    This is just one of the advantages of a longer-than-usual session, there is time for a lot of things.

    But in case you are wondering, no, I won’t photoshop those either.

  • If you want a couple of more traditional pictures, we can do that at the beginning or before I leave.

    If you just want a few pictures, unfortunately this is not for you. But I’d recommend you give it a thought!

Nothing against traditional pictures, but do not work with me if,

  • You wear matching clothes every day and dress for breakfast as if you were walking up the red carpet.

  • You prioritise looks over emotions.

  • Your idea of family photos involves everyone smiling and staring at the camera like in a toothpaste ad.

  • You want me to photoshop your happy wrinkles away and your hair needs to be hairdresser perfect.

  • You've got a vision for every shot and don't want any surprises.

  • You're all about the traditional, formal family portraits.

  • You expect the photographer to be the puppet master, directing every move, rather than letting the magic unfold naturally.

  • Perfectly behaved children are a must; no tantrums or messes allowed in your idea of the perfect family photoshoot.

  • You just need a couple of photos.