What to Expect
Whether you’ve booked a quick pop up or a slower, golden sunset session, my aim is always the same: for you to feel relaxed, guided, and never left wondering what to do next.
In a previous chapter of my life, I studied educational psychology and early childhood teaching, and I’ve spent a lot of time with a lot of children. Please don’t stress if yours “isn’t behaving” or has the grumps – they’re definitely not the first and won’t be the last to give me a run for my money. I’ve got plenty of gentle tricks up my sleeve, but there’s also so much magic in capturing them just as they are, in a real and honest way.
Not only do I want you to love your photos, but I want you to actually enjoy the experience. Your only job is to show up, be present, and lean into whatever mood the kids are in. If you can stay calm, cuddle them close and have a bit of fun, I’ll take care of the rest. No need to reprimand them or tell them to smile - this will likely only backfire.
Below is a little walk-through of how each type of session flows, so you know exactly what to expect.
In all my sessions…
No matter which option you choose – children’s portrait pop up, family pop up, or a full sunset session – a few things are always true:
I will guide you the whole way so you’re never left hanging.
I won’t force smiles or separate children from your arms if they’re not ready.
You bring your real family – the chaos, the cuddles, the big feelings.
I’ll bring the calm, the prompts, and capture the beauty in all of it.
Family Pop Ups
Fast, fun, and all about getting you in the frame together
Family pop ups are like a quick burst of connection – perfect if you want updated family photos without committing to a full session.
When you arrive
I’ll likely give you a hug if I'm not super sweaty by this stage of the day, and introduce myself to your family in a friendly, low-pressure way. I've built in 5 minutes into my family sessions to chat and for everyone to warm up.
I’ll assess the situation – are your children feeling curious? Shy? Full of beans? That helps me decide how to approach the next few minutes.
I'll explain to everyone what we’re going to do in an age-appropriate way.
There isn’t loads of time for long chats, but there’s enough space for the kids to clock that I’m friendly and that this is going to be quick.
Getting started
We’ll jump into some simple, classic family group shots – everyone together, close and connected. I’ll guide you with easy prompts:
- “All snuggle in like you would on the couch.”
- “Look at the person who makes you laugh the most.”
- “Give Mum/Dad the biggest squeeze.”
You’ll never be left standing there wondering what to do; I’m always prompting, tweaking and gently directing.
Working with little personalities
Kids can be shy, wild, clingy, serious, giggly – sometimes all of the above in five minutes.
- I won’t force them to smile or “perform”.
- I won’t insist they separate from you if they need to be held.
- If someone needs a moment, we pivot, adjust and keep it light.
I’ll read the room quickly and adapt – working faster if attention spans are short, or giving a tiny bit more space if someone needs reassurance.
Wrapping up
Because pop ups run on a tight schedule, once I know we’ve captured a range of family combinations and a few sweet in-between moments, we wrap things up with a quick thank you and you’re done... and soon after, you'll have a set of updated family photos you’ll be so glad you made time for.
Children’s Portrait Pop Ups
Short, sweet, and focused on your little one
Children’s portrait pop ups are designed to be quick and efficient – ideal for updating portraits or capturing a particular age or stage without a long session.
When you arrive
I’ll likely give you a hug if I'm not super sweaty by this stage of the day, and introduce myself to your child in a friendly, low-pressure way. We don’t have heaps of time, but I always allow a minute or two to interact with your child, build a bit of trust, and see how they’re feeling. I'll explain to them what we're about to do in an age-appropriate way.
I’ll assess the situation – are they feeling curious? Shy? Full of beans? That helps me decide how to approach the next few minutes.
During the session
We’ll move into the “set” or backdrop I’ve prepared. From there:
- I’ll gently guide where they stand or sit, but I never force stiff poses.
- I'll try get them to smile, but I'll never force it. I love capturing their natural personalities.
- If they’re a little shy, I’ll keep my voice soft and my directions simple.
- If they’re confident and playful, we’ll lean into that energy.
If your child doesn’t want to leave your arms, that’s okay. I will never force a child away from their parent. We can keep things simple and secure, and still create beautiful portraits while they are in your arms.
I’ll work efficiently – changing up angles, prompts and tiny details – so we get a lovely variety of images in a short amount of time.
The final moments
Because the session is brief, we don’t really have a “wind down” phase – once I can see we’ve got what we need (and before your child runs out of steam), we finish up with a warm goodbye and you’re on your way.
You can expect a small collection of timeless, honest portraits that capture who your child is right now.
Sunset Family Sessions in Perth
Slow, playful, and full of storytelling moments
Sunset sessions are where we really stretch out and let your family breathe a little. We have more time to wander, play and sink into the experience – which is often where the magic lives.
These sessions usually run around 45–60 minutes, starting in that beautiful golden light as the sun dips lower.
Easing in: the first part of your session
When you arrive, we don’t rush. We’ll say hello, chat, and let the kids take in their surroundings – the beach, the field, the park, wherever we are.
I’ll give you a quick rundown:
- I’ll guide you the whole way.
- There are no “perfect poses” required.
- We’ll start with some more “classic” family photos while everyone is fresh, and then move into more playful, documentary-style images as we go.
We’ll ease into those first portraits gently – standing close together, walking hand in hand, maybe sitting and snuggling in one spot.
I’m watching the light and watching your family – adjusting where I place you so we make the most of the sunset while keeping everyone comfortable.
The middle: play, prompts and connection
Once we’ve got some of the more “posed” (but still natural) shots out of the way, things get more playful and relaxed.
I’ll use prompts and simple games so you’re never left wondering, “What do we do now?” For example:
- “Walk towards me like you’re heading to get ice cream.”
- “Gently tickles to the person next to you!”
- “Whisper your favourite thing about Mum/Dad in their ear.”
During this part of the session, there might be:
- Kids running, exploring and collecting treasures.
- Cuddles, shoulder rides, big swings between parents.
- Tiny in-between moments – a hand reaching up, a little face buried in your neck.
I keep photographing through all of this, focusing on the way you interact and the little details that tell your story.
The end: those magic last frames
As the light gets softer and lower, the energy often shifts.
Kids might be a little tired but also extra cuddly. Everyone’s a bit more relaxed. You’ve stopped thinking about the camera quite so much.
This is often when my favourite images happen.
We might:
- Settle into one last spot for close, cosy cuddles.
- Let the kids splash at the edge of the water or run one more time through the grass.
- Capture silhouettes or soft, dreamy frames as the sun drops.
I try to let things unfold naturally while still guiding just enough so you feel held in the process. Often, the very last few frames of the session end up being the ones that feel the most “you”.
