Early Morning Cherry Blossom Family Portraits

CHERRY BLOSSOM MINI SESSIONS!

During your family portrait session, we’ll prioritize getting that frame-worthy family portrait, but we’ll also have time to take lots of other combinations - mother+kids, father+kids, just the parents, just the kids, individual portraits, and more!

This beautiful family drove up for the National Cherry Blossom Festival and arrived on a picture-perfect morning during peak bloom. In the days leading up to their session, we spent days texting about everyone’s outfits, something I *love* to help clients with to ensure a timeless, elevated look and elegant portraits they’ll treasure for generations.

For photographers, check out my Family Portrait Pose Guide!

We hold the majority of our cherry blossom photo sessions at the Tidal Basin in downtown Washington DC. Most sessions took place at sunrise or around 9 am - morning has become increasingly popular to help avoid insane crowds. I’ve been holding photo sessions at the cherry blossoms in DC for over 15 years, so I know all the best spots for crowd-free, flower-filled photos you’ll never tire of looking at.

Winter Family Portraits at the Lincoln Memorial

It was a chilly afternoon, but Brent and Kimberly’s beautiful family were all smiles. We had so much fun running around the Lincoln Memorial grounds with tree-lined sidewalks, a beautiful reflecting pool, and of course, the majestic monument in the background.

Sunrise Cherry Blossom Family Portraits

I had the pleasure of working Corene and Cody at Christmas last year for their family photos - including brothers, sisters, aunts and uncles, and grandparents! This spring it was just the two of them and their kiddos. They are a picture-perfect example of how to elegantly coordinate colors and outfits for cherry blossom family photos. I just love the soft pastels everyone is wearing, and Corene’s dress is gorgeous!

I mentioned in an earlier post about needing to reschedule due to cold weather at the cherry blossom festival; this family had to do the same! Fortunately, my schedule takes into account unexpected bad or freezing weather during the extremely in-demand cherry blossom season, so I always have room to reschedule as needed and families get the date that works best for them.

Book your cherry blossom photo session early - only a few spots left for spring 2024!

Completely Unposed Family Portrait Session

Brooks and Shana had a special request for their fall family portraits - that their photos be completely candid. Normally I capture a variety of candid and classically posed, with instructions on how to sit or stand and interact so they look completely natural. B & S wanted minimal direction, and had a blast playing with their two boys. They tickled, chased, and hugged their way through their portrait session, and I just love the result!

Want to book a family portrait session? I’m currently booking fall in DC and October 14th weekend in Nashville. Once you book, I’ll send along instructions on how to prepare, what to wear, and offer guidance on coordinating outfits.

Nashville Maternity Session :: Family Portraits in Centennial Park

I spent a beautiful week in Nashville taking family portraits and had the pleasure
of meeting this wonderful family for a maternity session in Centennial Park!

I love maternity sessions with older kids because the photos are just so darn cute! The older siblings have fun hugging and kissing mama’s belly and talking to their new little brother or sister. Kids can be such goofballs and have high energy during afternoon photo sessions, so we use that energy to create laughter and love-filled portraits, a combination of candid and posed photos.

Thi told me before her session that

Cherry Blossom Family Portraits

Catherine and Matt have been coming to me for portraits for years, and seeing their kiddos get big and helping them capture the growing-up experience warms my heart and makes going to “work” not work at all, but fun! I get to spend a fantastic afternoon encouraging their giggles and watching two loving parents interact with and have fun with their kids.

During your family portrait session, we’ll prioritize getting that frame-worthy family portrait, but we’ll also have time to take lots of other combinations - mother+kids, father+kids, just the parents, just the kids, individual portraits, and more!

For photographers, check out my Family Portrait Pose Guide!

We hold the majority of our cherry blossom photo sessions at the Tidal Basin in downtown Washington DC. Most sessions took place at sunrise or around 9 am - morning has become increasingly popular to help avoid insane crowds. I’ve been holding photo sessions at the cherry blossoms in DC for over 15 years, so I know all the best spots for crowd-free, flower-filled photos you’ll never tire of looking at.

Motherhood Photo Session: a Sweet Afternoon Mother-Daughter Portrait Session at the Cherry Blossoms

L&L drove down from New York on their first mother-daughter road trip and scheduled an afternoon cherry blossom portrait session to commemorate the happy occasion. We texted back and forth a few weeks prior to their session to pick out their outfits to coordinate with each other and to create an elegant, coherent look with the cherry blossom backdrop.

Motherhood portraits are quickly becoming one of my favorite types of sessions. I love showing the special bond between a mother and her first-born daughter. They often share the same expressions, smiles, and twinkle in their eyes that can easily be captured on film. Together, we create memories that can be carried on and loved through generations.

We hold the majority of our cherry blossom photo sessions at the Tidal Basin in downtown Washington DC. Most sessions took place at sunrise or around 9 am - morning has become increasingly popular to help avoid insane crowds. I’ve been holding photo sessions at the cherry blossoms in DC for over 15 years, so I know all the best spots for crowd-free, flower-filled photos you’ll never tire of looking at.

How to dress for your Cherry Blossom Portrait Session!

What to Wear :: Cherry Blossom Edition

To create an elegant portrait that stands the test of time, a coherent wardrobe for everyone involved is a must. Figuring out what to wear to a cherry blossom portrait session should be fun and simple.

Here are my tips for putting together your cherry blossom session outfits, and links to some of my favorite pieces! You can follow the links directly or use the images as inspiration.

What color theme do we find at the cherry blossoms?

First, let’s consider the colors we find at the cherry blossoms…pale pinks, light blues, and white.
That means if you wear black or other deep colors, you’ll stick out in the photos, and not in a flattering way.

We want to highlight you in your photos, but not create a glaring, unpleasing contrast.

Stick to light colors like pastels and creams like pale pink, beige, baby blue, and ivory. Medium blues also photograph well, especially at sunset.

Avoid navy (with the exception of a light navy for men’s suits), deep orange, dark jewel tones, reds, 

What patterns are best for cherry blossom outfits?

Second, let’s consider patterns.

As a general rule, solid colors and large patterns photograph better than tiny details, but there are a few exceptions.

The cherry blossom trees have zillions of tiny flowers and we want the focus to be on you, in the cherry blossom setting. There are already a ton of tiny details in the form of blossoms, let’s try to steer clear of high contrast patterns for your cherry blossom photos. That means avoiding things like navy blue and white, polka dots, etc.

Low contrast patterns like tiny pale flowers on an ivory or pale pink dress will match the setting beautifully. Simple textures like eyelet, swiss dot, ruffles, lace, will all photograph well in the cherry blossom setting.

How to think about your wardrobe for your cherry blossom photo shoot

Last, think nature. Choose florals over zig zags. Choose cotton over polyester. Silk over satin.

To create a coherent look in your portraits, whether you’re a couple or a family of five, choose flowing dresses with sleeves over body-con and mini skirts.

Additional notes

Other things to consider: close-toed shoes for easy walking on the uneven ground, tights for toddlers and babies in dresses so we don’t risk accidentally seeing a diaper, and make sure you try your outfit on in advance and move around in the mirror to look for things like bra straps showing, a low-cut v neck that gets pulled down too far as you shift your baby around in your arms, etc.

How to Prepare for Your Family Portrait Session

Below are some tips on how to prepare for your session - what to wear, what to bring, and what to expect during & after your session.

What to Expect

Let me do the work. You don’t have to worry about posing or anything of that sort. You just need to focus on being together and enjoying the company of your loved ones.

Everyone looks best when they are having fun, so let’s have a good time interacting together! We’ll be sure to get classic posed photos of everyone, but most of the session will be action-shot oriented. I will pose you and call out directions as I take photos, and we’ll move around the whole area you’ve selected for your session so you have a variety of backdrops.

Little kids like to run around and rarely sit still for more than 1-2 shots. I know this, and work with them accordingly. If your little one isn’t a fan of a certain pose or action I’ve suggested, that’s ok! I will still have gotten good photos out of it, and we’ll move on to something he or she might like better.

Babies

Babies are curious and learning about the world, so they look everywhere - including directly at the camera, and directly away from the camera. That’s ok! I know how to work around it, and we’ll set up poses or actions that will allow me to see his/her adorable little face!

Don’t fret if he or she doesn’t look at me the whole time - some couples get tense and start arguing because they feel like their baby is not cooperating, or one feels his/her spouse isn’t helping keep the baby looking at the camera. They wear themselves - and the little one - out from constantly calling out his/her name, when simply waiting a few extra seconds will do the trick.

Even when a baby cries during most of the session, I’ve still been able to get *lots* of beautiful photos from those little brief little moments when he or she stops crying and looks up at you with wonder or a smile.

Props

It’s always fun to bring along props! Don’t hesitate to bring anything that truly reflects you and your children individually or as a family. For instance, I’ve had a family bring along a soccer ball for their two oldest children (8-11) who were on teams that year. Another family bought cotton candy and had fun eating it together. The list is endless!

Suggestions:
Favorite book, bikes, painting & drawing sets for your little artist, baseball mitts, favorite truck or doll, family heirloom (jewelry, toys, blankets, etc).

What to Wear to Your Family Portrait Session

Wear something you would dress in for a really nice dinner. You can also do a more casual look with jeans and a dress top.

I recommend sticking to solid colors (tiny patterns don't photograph well), and for women, using accessories like scarves or jewelry for accent pieces. Bold jewelry, scarves, and shoes photograph well!

Men

Think very nice dinner. That means no polos or t-shirts. Also avoid writing and logos, unless it’s your favorite shirt and there’s an inside joke about it that you both agree should be documented. :)

Please come clean shaven, if you don’t wear any facial hair. While I can easily remove any razor burn or cuts in post-production, removing stubble or a 5-o’clock shadow may need to be done by a retouching specialist.

Ladies

Don’t bring a purse, if you can help it. Unless it’s part of your props, or even your bag to carry your props in, you probably will not want to worry about where to set your purse as we walk around the location taking photos. You might want to bring a small lipgloss or lipstick with you, but most women I have worked with haven’t needed to touch up their makeup.

Most women I photograph choose to show off their beautiful locks - and I highly encourage this. To help you out the day of your photo session, try using a little hairspray on long bangs that might fall into your face from the side (don’t pile it on though, we want you looking natural!), or bring a backup hair tie in case there is some wind. Occasionally a slight breeze will blow hair in the way, but don’t worry, we’ll work around it and make sure your hair looks great in your photos.

Kids

If your daughter or granddaughter is wearing a dress, add on some tights or leggings. That way if she squirms or crawls around, and her little dress gets out of place, the photos are still useable. :)

Think Color Palettes.

Coordinate, don’t match. Choose colors that make you look alive and bring out the best in your features. If you are pale, stick to deep colors like navy, maroon, or forest green (not pale pink, white, etc).
Avoid having a single person in a contrasting outfit, meaning a very bright white or red shirt - they will stick out much brighter the rest of the group!

Try your clothes on first (everyone!) and double-check in the mirror. Look for any problem areas and choose outfits that flatter you from all sides. While bra straps, low-cut shirts, or logos can usually be edited out in Photoshop after your session, the extra work will delay your finished photographs, and may cost extra. Plus, you need to be comfortable and confident in what you’re wearing. If you love your clothes, you’ll be more relaxed and your photos will turn out even better!

What Kind of Photos Will We Take?

Classic family group portraits and unposed, candid full-family photos; group shots; just the kids; parent-kid groupings; close-ups and action shots; you name it!

I like to capture a wide range of photos so you have a variety to choose the images you love for your walls and sharing online. If you have a preference for classic or candid, just the kids, etc, let me know.

Getting to Your Photography Session

Please be on time! I’m a natural-light photographer, so the sun dictates how long I can photograph you. Please make proper considerations for traffic, hair delays, and kid emergencies! If you arrive 30 minutes late, the session is not extended, but, rather, ends at the regularly scheduled time. I want the BEST photography experience for you, and being on time achieves exactly this!

*Please note: Parking at the National Mall is difficult any time of year. If your session is taking place there, please plan to arrive at least 45 minutes early to your session to ensure you don’t spend session time finding parking and walking several blocks + across the Mall to our

meeting point. As a reminder, the metro also runs slower on weekends, usually scheduling trains 20 minutes apart. Please take this into consideration when traveling to the National Mall.

Pets

Can I bring my dog(s) to our family portrait session?

YES! Please do!

I always recommend bringing a friend along to watch over your pup while we take any photos of the whole family that don’t have your pet in them, or maybe while we are at a spot that doesn’t allow animals (like on the steps of a monument or museum).

Other

Family sessions are for...families!

“Quick Linkedin headshots" and all other shots not geared towards family will not be taken.

Why do Lincoln Photography family sessions only last 45 minutes?

Many photographers set family portrait sessions at 2-3 hours. Nearly a decade of experience photographing families of all sizes has taught me that this lengthy duration is not necessary and can prove counterproductive. Almost inevitably, children under the age of 10 lose interest, get tired, cry, or complain after 45 minutes. !

In the first 30-40 minutes that I am with a family, I am able to
capture a variety of poses, groups, and close ups with the
adorably dressed little ones. I spend a few extra minutes exploring fun and candid options and then the kids lose steam. I choose to stop my sessions there in order to provide you a better set of photos with less stress, and to save you money. I pride myself on high levels of customer satisfaction and I have found that my method produces the best results.

After Your Photo Session

After your session, it will take 1.5 - 2 weeks for your photos to be processed and uploaded. I’ll remove any photos with closed eyes, less flattering expressions. I’ll email you a link and password to access, view, and download your gallery.

Retouching includes sharpening, brightening, contrast adjustment, color correction, cropping if needed, and light blemish removal on close-ups only.

Your final retouched images will go into a downloadable high res gallery. Anyone with the link and password can download the photos and purchase prints. Prints are provided by one of the country’s leading professional printing companies, and ship directly to you!

Looking to book your family portrait session?

Start here! Or email me

Sakura Family Portraits :: Washington DC's Cherry Blossoms

It always means the world to me when, year after year, families and couples ask me for portrait sessions. I’ve had the pleasure of watching dozens of kids grow up from the time they were one month old - or in Jonathan’s case, not yet born! Jessica and her husband (not pictured due to his job) traveled from several hours away for their cherry blossom portrait session for the second year in a row. They used to live in Japan where she got her gorgeous kimono. Needless to say with her beautiful outfit and absolutely adorable son, there was a crowd of tourists clamoring behind me trying to take their photo! Luckily we found some quieter spots and created some magical portraits together!

If you’re planning a trip to DC, let’s connect!

I help families from across the country and around the globe plan their portrait session at all the best spots - you won’t miss anything and we’ll have a ton of fun in the process! You’ll come away with dozens of laughter-filled photos capturing your precious memories.

Family portrait sessions on your trip to DC are an exciting way to become familiar with the city, find the best vantage points, and have fun seeing the sights. Together we’ll create a custom photography collection that’s right for you. You’ll come away with a beautiful set of photographic wall art prints, an album, and online gallery to share with loved ones around the world.

Cherry Blossom Family Portrait Session :: Unposed Fun in DC

The cherry blossoms peak bloom is one of the most magical times of year. The festival marks the beginning of spring, and families of all shapes and sizes come out to play! This family portrait session took place a sunset on the Tidal Basin. After weeks of frigid weather, we finally saw bright blue skies and golden sunlight.

If you’re planning a trip to DC, let’s connect!

I help families from across the country and around the globe plan their portrait session at all the best spots - you won’t miss anything and we’ll have a ton of fun in the process! You’ll come away with dozens of laughter-filled photos capturing your precious memories.

Looking to book your cherry blossom photo session?

Send me an email!

Portraits to celebrate 18 months, handsome little Neil

This summer has brought me so much portrait happiness! Here’s a sneak peek at Neil’s in-home portraits marking his 18 months of baby fun.

First Portrait Session of 2021 ~ Newborn Neven!

Claire and Roger welcomed baby Neven at the end of December, what a wonderful and happy way to end 2020! And my camera couldn’t get enough of him, from his precious button nose to his tiny little toes, this in-home newborn session was one of my favorites for sure! They are a good looking couple, but their warmth, easy going demeanor, and pure love for their changing (for the better!) family shines through in their smiles and the twinkle in their eye makes their family even more beautiful. It was such a pleasure to photograph Neven after meeting Claire and Roger at their wedding this summer.
Congratulations!!!

Welcome Baby Lily!

In 2016, Mary and Brian were married on a sunny day in the shade of the Jefferson Memorial (link) in downtown DC. This year they welcomed a beautiful baby girl - Lily! Lily rocked her newborn session, she was all affection and on very special moments, showed us her *adorable* smile with dimples. Congratulations, Mary and Brian! It was an honor to meet your little girl.

Happy Family Portraits in Autumn at the National Cathedral

On the last beautiful day of autumn with flowers still in bloom, Kaitlin & Eric brought their three *adorable* children to the National Cathedral for their annual family portraits! We spent a fantastic hour running around the stone pathways of the Bishop’s Garden and frolicking in the flowers. I was thrilled at the older siblings’ readiness to show sisterly affection and grin each other for the camera. Even more adorable was how they held and cuddled their little brother! Picture-perfect <3

Bat Mitzvah Portraits at Beth El Congregation, Alexandria

Leah’s bat mitzvah was a smashing success, even during the time of covid. It was was postponed, changed locations, certain family and friends could no longer attend, and in the end, Leah had a beautiful ceremony outside of Beth El Congregation with her immediate family and closest friends in attendance. We took some fun portraits in the woodsy area nearby, check it out! Congratulations, Leah!

Autumn Family Portraits - the kids are growing up!

I had the pleasure of photographing these good looking kiddos last fall in Rock Creek Park, and they’re back again this year for some updated portraits! One of my favorite things about being a photographer is seeing how little ones change each year, and how they act in front of a camera - shy, energetic, playful, mischievous, the sky’s the limit! This happy bunch has been one of my favorite return clients, and they brought their dog this time, too!
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

Fall Family Portraits in DC, with the dog too!

Sheila & Greg’s daughter Alexandra is just the brightest-eyed little munchkin I ever saw! And I was thrilled when they asked to bring their puppy to their portrait session - of course! The more, the merrier! Photographing families with their pets is one of my favorite things. Kids get to run around and play, forgetting about the camera and just being themselves, and fortunately many families I’ve worked with this fall season have brought their dogs!

Washington DC Family Portrait Session - a fun afternoon!

Every time a new family entrusts me with the task of documenting their children as they grow, I’m honored they chose me out of all the other photographers in the area (and there are a ton of good ones!). But what really brings a few tears to my eyes is when families come back year after year because they just *loved* their photos so much! This beautiful family (with three boys!!!) often travels the world but have managed to take autumn portraits with for the past several years running. This year we spent a gorgeous sunny afternoon at Meridian Hill Park. One of my favorite things to photograph during fall portrait sessions are the colorful leaves fluttering down around the faces of smiling children. Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

Bat Mitzvah Portraits

Eden celebrated her bat mitzvah this past weekend, an intimate ceremony with her family, and I joined them for portraits after! Congratulations, Eden!