Family Portraits
A boutique family session built around one framed wall portrait for above the mantel — plus a small collection of prints for grandparents and the hallway. Real families, real light, considered pacing.
What's Included
- ✦Location or in-studio
- ✦Up to eight people
- ✦Full editorial retouching
- ✦In-person reveal and print design
The picture your grandchildren will take down off the wall
Families put this off for years, usually because the last time was chaotic and the results were forgettable. We plan ours differently: short, patient, and built around one image good enough to print above the mantel.
Sessions run in the Mattoon studio or outdoors across Coles County — a park, your farm, the yard where the kids actually play. We photograph the whole group first while attention is fresh, then break into couples, siblings, and grandparents while the little ones run.
After fifteen years photographing Central Illinois families, we have learned the only real trick: keep it short, keep it warm, and never make a four-year-old sit still for an hour.
Who this session is for
- ✦Annual family portraits
- ✦Extended family and grandparent gatherings
- ✦Holiday card and gift prints
- ✦Mantel-sized wall portraits
How a family portraits commission works
Consultation
We plan location, wardrobe palette, and the wall the finished portrait will live on.
Session
In studio or outdoors, paced patiently around little ones and grandparents alike.
Reveal
We view the gallery together and choose the family portrait to print large.
Print design
Framed wall art plus a small print collection for grandparents and the hallway.
What to wear & how to prepare
- ✦Pick two or three colors and let everyone pull from them
- ✦Layers and texture beat matching outfits every time
- ✦Dress the youngest child first, then build around them
- ✦Bring a change for the kids and a snack that is not blue
- ✦Nap and feed before the session — it decides everything
For the mantel and the hallway
Most families leave with one large framed portrait and a small collection of prints for grandparents, desks, and the stairwell.
- 30×40 framed mantel portraits
- Grandparent gift print sets
- Holiday cards from your session
- Annual portrait wall series
Family Portraits FAQs
- How many people can be in a family session?
- Up to eight is included. Larger extended-family groups are welcome — just mention the headcount when you inquire.
- Where do you photograph families?
- In our Mattoon studio, at your home, or outdoors across Charleston, Champaign, Effingham, Tuscola, Sullivan, and Shelbyville.
- What if my kids won't cooperate?
- They usually do — we keep sessions short, playful, and unhurried, and we've photographed Central Illinois families for over fifteen years.
- How much is a family portrait session?
- Family commissions begin at $495 and include the session, retouching, and an in-person reveal where we design your prints.
Family Portraits across Central Illinois
“One of the best down-to-earth photographers and staff. The session was relaxed and not rushed — the best photo session I have ever had. The quality of the pictures was great, and they were kind and helpful in preparing us beforehand.”
“They did an amazing job on our family pictures and took the extra time to get the perfect shot, even with our two-year-old. So many backgrounds to choose from and the props were amazing. The pictures turned out beautifully.”
Let's book your session
It starts with a free consultation. We only take a limited number of sessions each week.