Family Sessions
I shoot hundreds of photos a week – of my clients, my kids and husband, our dog, my garden, our boat excursions... but I have almost no photos of myself with my family.
Sound familiar?
Don't let another year go by without booking a professional family or individual portrait session. Framed portraits make heartfelt gifts, are beautiful displayed in the home, and are perfect for inclusion in holiday cards.
What Makes Me Different:
* I got my start as a landscape photographer and I firmly believe that the background in any photo is just as important as the subject. I take great care in finding magical backgrounds.
* I am an all inclusive photographer. That means your final gallery for download includes all the best images for you to download, not just your 5-10 favorites with upsell options.
* I take joy in shooting every combination within your family (i.e. kids alone, Mom/daughter, individual headshots, Mom/Dad, Dad/kids). If you want mainly posed groupings, great! If you want mostly candids of the kids playing, also great! Just let me know before the shoot. If you want a mixture, 60 minute sessions are ideal.
* I will have most shoots edited and back to you for download within 5 days (at the very longest, 9 days during peak season which is August-Dec).
* If it rains on our booked day, you can apply your deposit to another day at no additional cost.
* I have two distinct edited styles, and clients get to help choose: For supersize 30 min sessions, and 60 minute sessions, during the editing process, I will send a sneak peek album and ask clients which "look" they like best. Some people prefer my dark and moody look. Others prefer natural. (30 minute sessions will receive my classic natural light and bright edit). More on my two styles here.
* I remove acne at no additional cost. Just let me know the file numbers of your 5 favs after you receive your album, and I'll spruce them right up. (60 minute sessions only. Add $10 per edited photo for 30 minute sessions)
* I now offer edited video reels of your session! Details and example below.
Scroll down for family packages
Family Photo Packages
30 minute package: (prices for packages booked after Aug 10, 2023)
Gig Harbor only, weekends before 12pm, and weeknights only (see locations below). Receive at least 30 total edited images for digital download: $275 plus tax. Available weekday evenings and weekend mornings between 9am-12pm. Package valid for one family up to 5 people ($10 more for each additional direct family member; add $50 for grandparents, but receive at least 5 additional edited photos). Valid at these locations: Skansie Park (9-10:30am), Bella Bella Beach Sandspit on Fox Island (AM weekends and PM weeknights), Kopachuck Park (10am-noon weekends, and we would have time for the woods only), Sehmel Homestead Park (weeknights only, 2 hours before sunset). For examples from each location, click my blog tab above; it highlights each location with pro and cons and examples taken at each park. Click "older posts" to see them all. With this package, you receive your choice in the final edited style. More on that here: light and bright or moody modern. This package also works with a video reel add-on. See more below.
60 minute package: (prices for packages booked after Aug 23, 2023)
Anywhere within 30 min drive of Gig Harbor; 60+ edited digital images for download: $450 plus tax. Get it all! Every possible grouping, lots of candid moments, every hug and kiss, the kids running and playing. Valid for one family, up to 6 people. This package also includes you in the editing process; within 48 hours of your session, I will send a small preview gallery with side by side comparison of my two trademark styles: light and bright or muted modern. You then choose your favorite for the rest of your gallery. Package valid for a 5 person family. Add $20 more for each direct family member. Add $75 for grandparents and at least 10 additional edited photos. This package also works with a video reel add-on. See more below.
60+ minute multiple location package:
Same as the basic 60 minute package, but use two locations: $500. This package is perfect if you want to use two of the following locations in downtown Gig Harbor: Skansie Park, Anchich Park, Donkey Creek Park, and the Russell Foundation. You could even use the woods of Kopachuck as your second location. Receive 75+ edited photos. This package also works with a video reel add-on. See more below.
Multiple family sessions:
Contact Cora for a quote
Video Reel Add-on: I recently got a mount for my camera to hold my iPhone14 Pro, because if a photo is worth a thousand words, a video is priceless! I will have a video going the whole time of your session, and I will edit the video footage in a reel with music, capturing all the cuddles and smiles. Because when else will you have video footage of you all looking your best and loving on each other? My guess is never! If you have a favorite song, send me the youtube link and I can extract the music to use in the video, otherwise I will use my discretion and send you some choices. You choose vertical or horizontal for you video. 1-minute edited video of your 30 minute session: $75. 2-minute edited video of a 60 minute session: $125. Example of a reel from a 30 minute session here
Frequently Asked Questions and Session Tips: This is a MUST read! Wondering what to wear, or what happens if your kids have a total meltdown? Click here!
Location:
Want classic Gig Harbor maritime looks? Skansie Park is amazing in the morning. Want rolling golden fields and woodsy looks? Sehmel park 90 minutes hours before sunset is my favorite. Kopachuck Park is my fav for ferns, forest, beach and driftwood. I created my blog just to help clients choose. Each location has pros/cons and examples I have taken. Be sure to click on "older posts" to see them all. You can also get an idea of what you may want by perusing my full client galleries.; the location is in the title of each album.
Turnaround time:
Each hour I shoot typically takes me 4-5 hours of editing time. You will receive your photos in an online gallery with download instructions for you to print wherever you please. If you choose, there are also high quality print options right from your gallery on my website. You should receive your gallery no more than 6 days after our session.
Retouching:
For 60 minute sessions, I will clean up acne/wrinkles on your 5-10 favorite photos at no cost. (for 30 minute sessions, editing cost is $10 per photo). Just let me know the file numbers after you download your album and I will add them to the end of your album once done. All prices subject to sales tax.
I do not offer face-swapping services (i.e. swapping heads from one photo to another).
How to book:
I can’t wait to work with you! Please send me a message using the Contact tab above and include the following info:
1. The location you want to use. If you don't know, click on my Blog tab; I created it just to help clients choose a spot. Each entry spotlights a different location with pros and cons and examples if photos I have taken there. Be sure to click on "older posts" to see them all!
2. What package you would like. All my package prices are located under the "Sessions" tab above. Prices are at the bottom of each page.
3. How many family members and their ages. It helps me to start thinking up poses and groupings!
4. Optional: your session goals, if any.
Once we decide on a date and time, a $50 deposit is due upon booking to reserve your date (via Zelle, Venmo, or Paypal), and the remainder is due on the day of your session paid via the same method. Please write in the memo field your name and date of the booked session.
When your photos are done, you will receive your album with download instructions via email, and you are free to print your photos anywhere you like. You can also order high quality prints and products right from your album via this website.
Gig Harbor Sandspit Package
(AS OF AUG 14 2021, THIS PACKAGE IS TEMPORARILY ON HOLD FOR COAST GAURD APPROVAL. This package can be done, but it is available "by donation" only)
One part boat tour, one part family photo safari, these packages are F-U-N. One dad recently told me it was so fun, that he didn't even have to force a smile for his portraits! These packages combine my two favorite things: clicking photos and taking people on my boat (a new 24-ft open bow SeaRay docked right next to Skansie Park).
Gig Harbor Sandspit Experience (weekend mornings at 10am and weekday evenings 90 minutes before sunset): 1 hour, 50+ edited digital photos for download: $475. Includes boat ride to the sandspit.
About the boat: I have a 2017, 23 ft open bow SeaRay moored walking distance from Skansie Park. It can comfortably hold up to 10 people. It is super easy to hop off the bow when beaching at the sandspit. Life jackets required for kids 13 and under. I have 13 adult jackets on the boat, 2 kids sizes (50 lbs and above), 1 pink toddler jacket, and a pink infant jacket. If you need additional sizes, bring your own or you can probably find one to borrow on the rack "next door" at Jerisich public dock.
