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Christina Ellis

When Dad Makes That Face: Capturing Real Family Giggles with Portland Family Photographer


Candid family moment during Portland Family photographer session

Candid family moment during Portland photo session

"But my kids won't sit still for photos!"


If I had a dollar for every time I heard this from worried parents, I could buy every kid in Portland an ice cream cone! Here's the thing though - I don't want your kids to sit still. At LaLa Photography, we're all about capturing your family exactly as they are, wiggles and all. Because let's be honest, when was the last time your family sat perfectly posed on the couch at home? (And if they did, were they secretly plotting something? 🤔)


The Truth About Portland Family Photographer Sessions

Let me tell you about little Tommy who showed up to his session last week wearing his superhero cape. His parents were mortified when he refused to take it off, but you know what? Those cape-flying shots turned out to be their absolute favorites. Why? Because that's who Tommy is right now, at this magical moment in time, and that's exactly what we want to preserve.


You see, the perfect family photo isn't about everyone looking at the camera with matching outfits and perfect smiles. It's about capturing Dad's signature goofy face that makes everyone laugh for real. It's about the way your toddler wrinkles her nose when she's truly happy, not when she's saying "cheese." It's about big sister secretly holding little brother's hand when she thinks no one's looking.


The Magic Behind Our Sessions

When families arrive at our Portland studio or meet us at one of our favorite outdoor spots, we start by just hanging out. No pressure, no poses, just letting everyone get comfortable. Because here's a little secret - the more relaxed you are, the more beautiful your photos will be.


I remember the Wilson family. Their session was what I like to call "perfectly imperfect." Four-year-old Tommy spent the first ten minutes showing me his dinosaur roar (which, by the way, was impressive). His big sister Sarah insisted on teaching me her latest TikTok dance, which their dad tried to copy (key word: tried). Mom couldn't stop laughing at the whole scene, and their dog photobombed every single shot. The resulting gallery? Pure magic, because it was purely them.


How We Make the Magic Happen

Instead of shouting "say cheese!" (which, by the way, is banned in our sessions), we play games. We talk about favorite movies, tell silly jokes, and sometimes have impromptu dance parties. When a kid finds a fascinating stick or spots a butterfly, we don't fight it - we incorporate it. Because those natural moments of wonder and excitement? That's where the real magic happens.


What About Those "Perfect" Shots?

Now, I know what you're thinking - "But what about that one nice photo for Grandma's wall?" Don't worry! Among all the genuine moments and silly faces, we always manage to catch a few traditional poses too. But I'll let you in on a secret: even Grandma usually ends up preferring the photos where everyone's genuinely laughing.


Making Memories, Not Just Photos

The other day, a mom told me something that made my whole week. She said, "You know what's funny? I came here wanting perfect photos, but these are perfect because they're so US." That's exactly what we're going for at LaLa Photography. We want to capture your family's real story - the personalities, the relationships, the little moments that make your family uniquely yours.


Sure, sometimes things go "wrong." The toddler refuses to wear shoes. The baby has an epic diaper blowout. The dog decides to roll in mud right before the session. But here's the beautiful thing - those "wrong" moments often lead to the most right photos you could imagine.


Let's Capture Your Story

So Portland families, let's embrace your beautiful chaos. Whether you're a family of two or twenty, whether you've got fur babies or human babies or both, whether you're just starting your family journey or gathering multiple generations - there's magic in your everyday moments, and we're here to capture it.


Remember, these days won't last forever (even though sometimes, especially during toddler tantrums, they might feel endless!). Let's document them while they're here - giggles, chaos, and all.


Ready to capture your family's real moments? Click here to book your Portland family session, or call us at 971-801-0033 to chat about your vision. Don't worry if your kids are "wild" - those are our favorite kind!

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