Let Kids Be Kids | Boise Family Photographer

When it comes to photographing kids, it's important to remember that they are their own unique individuals with their own personalities, interests, and quirks! In order to capture authentic and meaningful photos, it's crucial to let them be themselves during the photo session.

When kids feel free to be who they are, they're going to be more comfortable and relaxed, and this will shine through in the photographs! This means letting them express themselves in their own way, whether that means being silly, playful, or even a little shy.

By allowing kids to be themselves, you'll not only get more genuine and natural photos, but you'll also be able to capture their true character and spirit.

These are the photos that you'll cherish for years to come, as they truly represent who your child is, right now, and the special moments you share together.

I’m a huge believer in negotiating with toddlers (and older kids too). Remember, a little bargaining with the kiddos can go a long way! :)

Capturing the essence of your family | Boise Family Photographer

As a family photographer, I understand how important it is to capture those special moments that you share with your loved ones. Whether it’s a playful moment between siblings, a heartwarming family embrace, or a smile that lights up the room, these are the memories that you will cherish for a lifetime.

I believe that the best photographs are those that capture the essence of who you are as a family. I work closely with my clients to understand their vision, preferences, and personalities, ensuring that each session is tailored to their unique needs.

I am committed to delivering exceptional service and a great experience from the first time we connect until the final product is delivered. My focus is to create a fun, interactive experience and cherished photos that you and your family will be able to enjoy for years to come!

I look forward to working with you and your family! 

The art of storytelling through photography | Boise Family Photographer

When I first started my photography journey I photographed a lot of posed photos, and although they were beautiful, there was something missing. The moment that all changed for me is when I was photographing a family and the youngest girl started twirling around and I caught the image perfectly. I threw it in the gallery so mom could see it but I didn’t think she would choose it. WELP… not only did she choose it as one of her favorites she blew it up as a HUGE portrait and hung it on her wall. 

She then explained that her daughter was always on the move, nicknamed “happy feet” because she never stayed still. It summed the young girl up in that one portrait and the joy it brought to her mother was incredible. I then realized I was onto something, I didn’t need to capture life perfectly…I needed to capture life!

Family photography is not just about taking posed photos of family members smiling at the camera. It is about telling the unique story and personality of a family through photographs. These photos can tell a story that words could never express. 

When my clients look back at their photographs, they are able to see the story of their family unfold. It magically brings them right back to those joyful moments.

Are you ready to protect your legacy through portraits?

Why invest in a professional photographer? | Boise Family Photographer

Let’s agree that technology has come very far, very fast. It is crazy to think that the iPhone first came out in 2007 with a 2 megapixel camera and now the iPhone 14 now has a 48mp camera. WOAH!!!

But the problem here is… even with cameras advancing, both professional cameras and phone cameras… you will still be stuck behind the camera. 

By hiring a professional photographer you are allowing yourself to get in front of the camera with your loved ones and capture gorgeous memories. Could you set up a tripod? Sure… you could but will the end results be incredible? Most likely no, and that is because you are missing that human touch…Even with the advanced focusing technology of newer cameras, you can’t easily zoom in or out or get creative angles when your camera is on a tripod. Plus, all the hassle of getting everything set up right on a tripod takes away from your time in front of the camera and your ability to connect with your family while the photos are being taken.

 Also, you could have the top-of-the-line camera gear but if you aren’t fully educated and don’t know how to control the detailed settings, your photos simply won’t be as JAW-DROPPING as you want them to be. 

I have poured myself into photography, including my equipment and education. I know my camera settings, I know how to manipulate light and I know how to provide an incredible experience.

I would love to document your family and create the most gorgeous memories for you to cherish for a lifetime. If you’re interested, please contact me!

It’s not just about having photos taken, it’s about telling a story | Boise Newborn & Family Photographer

I believe that every family has a unique story to tell. From the laughter and joy to the love and affection, these stories are what make you and your family special and they deserve to be captured and preserved for a lifetime.

Photography is not just about taking photos…it's about capturing memories and bringing your family's story to life! From the anticipation of the birth of a child, to the newborn in your arms, to the toddler you chase around, I am here to capture it all and help tell your story.

Life can often feel hectic and time seems to fly by. This is why it's so important to capture these special memories now. You can put it off or reprioritize your family’s photo shoot, but the truth is that time will always pass and unpreserved memories are sure to fade.

I look forward to working with your family and capturing those memories FOREVER!

The Psychological Benefits of Printed Photos | Boise Newborn and Family Photographer

Do you print photos for your children to hold and enjoy? Did you know there is a psychological benefit to having printed photos of yourself and your family in your home?  It's true!  In the words of Psychologist Judy Weiser: “When a child sees a family portrait with them included in the photograph they say to themselves: "These people have me as part of what they are, that’s why I belong here. This is where I come from.”

Many of our parents and grandparents likely had family photos proudly displayed on their walls or neatly presented in photo albums for us to look at whenever our hearts desired. In today's world, most photos are left on electronic devices and never printed. I get it, ordering prints, creating albums and hanging photos on your walls takes time and effort - way more effort than posting on social media or scrolling through a device. Sadly, this means that many children today are growing grow up without physical photos of themselves and their family that they can touch, hold, and cherish. 

If you haven’t printed your photos yet, this is your gentle reminder to get them printed for the sake of your children.

Just like music, photography has genres | Boise Newborn & Family Portrait Photographer

Did you know there are photography genres? Yes, it's true!  Just like with literature, music, and other forms of art. There are countless genres of photography, but here are a few, just to give you an idea:

• Portrait Photography

• Photojournalism

• Fashion Photography

• Sports Photography

• Food Photography

• Product photography

• Wildlife Photography

• Architectural Photography

• Wedding and Event Photography

• Fine Art Photography

Here's another tip: not all photographers shoot all genres. Nor should they!  While knowledge and technical skills may apply across the board, each genre has its own set of challenges and specialized skills that are required to achieve a level of excellence. 

Even within a genre, there may be a subset of more specific genres. For example, Portrait Photography can include Family Photography, Newborn Photography, Senior Portrait Photography, Maternity Photography, Motherhood Photography, Beauty Photography, Headshots, and more. Some types of photography may straddle genres. For example, Wedding photography is basically a cross between event photography, photojournalism, and portrait photography.

So as you are shopping for a photographer, be sure to ask whether your photographer has a genre (or sub-genre) specialty! 

What's our specialty? At Keepsake Reflections, we specialize in Portrait Photography! More specifically, we specialize in all things Mom, Baby, and Family! Ok, maybe not ALL... we don't specialize in Cake Smash sessions. Our goal is capture the story of your family, from bump to baby and beyond.

My Grandmother’s Photo Wall | Boise Family Photographer

My grandmother passed away recently, so naturally I have been reflecting on my childhood memories with her and how she has influenced my values as an adult.

One thing about my grandmother's house stands out in my mind. Well, it wasn't just one house, but rather every house that my grandmother ever lived in. The thing about her home was that she always had one wall dedicated to family portraits. Grandma had 10 children, and each child had their own portrait or family portrait on her wall. At one point, she even started putting family portraits of her grandchildren's families on the wall, as we started growing up, getting married, and having our own children. Not only did Grandma have the family portrait wall, but there were candid snapshots of family members in collage frames all throughout the house.

For many years, my Dad made a solid effort to get our family portrait updated every year so that Grandma could have a new picture to put on her portrait wall. Most of the time, I was crying in the photos, but that's beside the point! Family portraits were important and we knew that every time we went to Grandma's house and saw our picture on her wall. Not only did we have fun looking at the family portraits, but they were very helpful in trying to remember all my aunts and uncles and cousins, some of whom I only saw once or twice a year. Finally, and probably most importantly, seeing my portrait on Grandma's wall was always a reminder that she loved me, that I was important to her, that I was a part of the family, and that I belonged there.

Now, I don't have copies of those family portraits from when I was younger, but Grandma was the keeper and she held them safe for us. There is no doubt in my mind that it will be just as entertaining for my son to look back at those family portraits of me as a child as it was for me to look at the family portrait Grandma kept from when my dad and his 9 siblings were children.   I loved looking at my father as a child, my grandmother as a young mother, and all my aunts and uncles as children as well. So, all this is to say, that family portraits may one day be the most treasured heirloom of one of your children or grandchildren. Get your portraits taken and make sure to print them too!

Why Every Woman Deserves Maternity Photos | Boise Maternity Photographer

Maternity photography is a wonderful way to capture and preserve the special moments of pregnancy. Whether you opt for a professional photographer or DIY maternity photos, the benefits of capturing these memories are numerous. In this post, we will discuss the benefits of maternity photography, both with a professional photographer and with DIY photos, as well as offer tips for taking your own photos.

Benefits of Maternity Photography

1. Capturing memories: Pregnancy is a special time in a woman's life, and capturing the memories through photography is a great way to preserve them forever. With maternity photos, you can capture the beauty of your growing belly and the joy of expecting a little one.

2. Boosting self-confidence: Pregnancy can be a challenging time for many women, but with maternity photography, you can celebrate and appreciate your changing body. This can be a great way to boost your self-confidence and remind you of the beauty and strength of your body.

3. Family keepsake: Maternity photos can be a wonderful family keepsake that can be passed down for generations. These photos will not only capture the memories of your pregnancy, but they will also give your children a glimpse into their early beginnings.

4. Unique experience: Pregnancy is a unique and special experience, and maternity photography can help you capture and commemorate that experience. From the joy of announcing your pregnancy to the anticipation of meeting your little one, maternity photos can help tell the story of your pregnancy journey.

Benefits of Professional Maternity Photography

1. Professional quality: Professional photographers have the equipment, expertise, and experience to capture stunning photos that will truly capture the essence of your pregnancy.

2. Personalized experience: A professional photographer can work with you to create a personalized experience that meets your individual needs and preferences. They can help you choose the best location, outfits, and poses to create photos that truly represent you and your pregnancy journey.

3. Timeless keepsake: A professional maternity photography session will result in timeless and high-quality photos that you will cherish for years to come.

Tips for DIY Maternity Photography

If you choose to take your own maternity photos, here are a few tips to help you capture beautiful memories:

1. Choose a location that is meaningful to you. This could be a favorite park, beach, or even your own home.

2. Use natural lighting. Natural lighting is often the most flattering and can help create a soft and dreamy look in your photos.

3. Experiment with different poses and angles. Don't be afraid to try different poses and angles to find what works best for you and your body.

4. Wear something that makes you feel comfortable and confident. Choose clothing that flatters your body and makes you feel good. For maternity photos, we usually recommend a body-contouring dress to really highlight your baby bump!

5. Use props or accessories to add interest and personality to your photos. You could use baby shoes, a sonogram photo, or even a favorite book.

Conclusion

Maternity photography is a wonderful way to capture and preserve the memories of pregnancy. Whether you choose to work with a professional photographer or take your own DIY photos, the benefits are numerous. With beautiful maternity photos, you can celebrate your changing body, capture the joy and anticipation of expecting a little one, and create a cherished family keepsake that you will treasure for years to come.

Why I wanted Breastfeeding Portraits | Boise Breastfeeding Photographer

As a new breastfeeding mother, I remember looking down at my 8 week old baby as I nursed him, and mourning, thinking “Oh my goodness, he’s going to be a toddler soon!” Not that I was worried about having a toddler, but more that he was changing too fast. I was worried that I wasn’t going to remember his precious newborn baby face. I could already see his face getting older. As breastfeeding mothers, we spend hundreds, if not thousands of hours looking down at our babies as we nurse them. Those moments, that perspective of looking down at my perfect child who was so completely dependent on and connected to me, was what I wanted to visually capture for myself. Of course, I couldn’t do it myself, so I hired the very talented photographer Paige from Glean and Co.

Photo Credit: Glean and Co

While I was breastfeeding my son, I felt more beautiful and important than I had ever felt in my entire life. Of course I was exhausted and run down, but I felt beautiful and magnificent. After having a baby in the NICU, missing out on the “Golden Hour” and facing the possibility that I might not ever have the chance to breastfeed, I celebrated my good fortune to even be on the breastfeeding journey, as difficult as it may be at times.

Photo Credit: Glean and Co

I had asked and begged my husband so many times to take photos of me with my newborn son. But, he never got his camera out. So, I got out my own camera and took self portraits with a remote trigger. But I wanted something more, because I couldn’t easily take breastfeeding self-portraits from the angle that I wanted to capture. So, I found a professional photographer and asked her to take breastfeeding portraits of me and my son, who by the time we had our picture taken was 8 months old. Those photos are so special to me, because they are the only non-phone photos I have of myself that were taken by someone else, during early motherhood. Having another photographer take my portrait allowed me to just be in the moment and enjoy the time with my son, resulting in photos that show authentic emotion and connection between mother and child. These photos are priceless to me.

Photo Credit: Glean and Co

While the breastfeeding hours may seem endless, they will pass. In the moment, you may feel like you could never forget what your baby looks like or the other highs and lows of the breastfeeding journey. But time has a canny ability to dull our memories. This is why photography is such a priceless gift, why photos of special people and special times in life are such treasured keepsakes. Photography helps to cement those memories and keep them alive.