Ever think about the fact that when you get married, you become a family? We often hear the word family and think of mom, dad and kids, but in reality as a married couple, you’re already a family! It’s still important to document your relationship over the years and create memories too.

Is a Couple’s Photo Shoot for Me?

Let me ask another question: when was the last time you took photos with your husband or wife? I don’t mean on your phone when you went to a Seattle Mariners game on your last date, I mean a professional photo! For many families I photograph, I hear they haven’t done proper photos together since their wedding day. If it’s been a long time, taking couples pictures is definitely for you. If you have a milestone anniversary coming up or even a birthday, consider celebrating with a photo shoot!  

During family sessions I normally will take a handful of photos of just mom and dad, but if you don’t have kids in the first place, the shoot will be all about you two! This is the time for you to connect with your spouse or partner and just laugh, kiss, hug and enjoy each other’s company. Fair warning, you’ll be looking at each other a lot!  While I want to capture your love and intimacy, I also want there to be joy, laughter and fun shown in your pictures too.

While most of my work these days is focused on family, newborn and maternity, my early days of photography started in wedding photography. I began in the wedding industry back in 2010 and have photographed so many couples over the last decade plus, I’ve lost count! So if you’re wondering at all if this is in my wheelhouse, don’t worry, I got you covered. 

What to Do During a Family Photo Shoot Without Kids

If you’ve been married within the last 10-15 years, you likely have either done or were offered an engagement photo shoot. These types of shoots are a great way to really let loose and show off your relationship! So in the same way, think of your shoot as a unique way to show off your personality and of course flaunt your love. 

Pick a location that is either meaningful to you, has a beautiful landscape or possibly is activity based. You may want to simply take photos in your home and cook in your kitchen, snuggle on your couch or lounge in bed. Another idea would be an adventure session up in Mt. Rainier or Gold Creek Pond. Finding epic views surrounding the Puget Sound area in Washington really isn’t hard!

Make the effort to really show off your personality through this session. Whether it’s through your wardrobe, location or the poses, you’ll want to walk away with photos that feel authentic to you and your family!  

How to Involve Pets in Your Photos

Some couples think of their furry friends as their kids– I totally get it! Pets are so intertwined in our lives and become part of the family. It’s not surprising you’d want to involve your dog (or cat even) in your photo shoot since they are like your children. 

This isn’t for everyone nor is it for every pet, as some are more camera shy, disobedient or just not very friendly with strangers. So think about your pet’s demeanor and personality. Will they do well sitting or lying down? How’s their recall? Are they ok with you holding them for longer stretches of time? These are all things to consider if you’re thinking of bringing a pet. 

The most common pet to bring is of course a dog, but I once did maternity pictures with a cat! Of course not all the photos involved the cat and I advise not all your photos do either. We’ll definitely want time to only have you and your spouse/partner in the pictures. These will be the shots that reflect your connection and affection for each other!

Lauren and Dan’s Photos at Fort Steilacoom Park

This whole post has been filled with photos from my sweet clients, Lauren and Dan. Last year we did a whole photo shoot of Lauren for her 30th birthday and it was so fun! She ate cake, popped champagne and twirled around in a dress– what a great birthday gift to herself! This year, we captured photos of her family: her husband Dan and dog, Guinness. Yes, he’s named after the beer in case you were wondering!

I loved how free we were to do anything we wanted. Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE photographing kids, but sometimes it’s nice to be listened to by adults during a session, haha! Guinness had some plans of his own and wanted to run and explore. He wasn’t used to being in front of the camera at first so bringing some cheese helped get him to listen. He did great and I think we got some very cute pictures with the whole family! Dan and Lauren rocked their couples pictures and just had fun with it. I always enjoy shooting around Fort Steilacoom Park.

If you’re interested in booking a couples photo shoot, shoot me an email and let’s chat!