EVERYTHING ABOUT family SESSIONS

You are just one step closer to beautiful family pictures without the stress…

(only if you embrace morning bed hair, reheated coffee cups and, big smooshy kisses)

The days are loooong as they say and we often wish to move to the next phase…
And maybe you’re here: in these in-between moments where naps are scarce and their bodies
are getting too big to fit on your lap or on your hip.

You already feel nostalgic about all these “last times” even if you don’t exactly know when they’ll be.

I'm here to help you bottle up the season you're in right now... I promise: you'll be glad you did!

STEP 1 Pick a date and book your session

Let’s freeze time for just a while and let’s capture your family as it is. No need for a milestone like a birthday or a new home (even though they make perfect good excuses!) and let’s normalize daily life with all the highs-and-lows. Let’s go to your happy place (often your home!) and let’s have fun.

I am flexible depending on the ages of your kids, what you want, and your family’s personality.

You need to pick a date + time and pay your retainer fee of $400 to secure your spot on my calendar. You will also be prompted to sign a contract + model release.

If you would like a special date that is not on the calendar, contact me! Sometimes I can move things around.

Access the calendar

“Cue the tears. Like ALL the happy, sentimental, mushy tears.
Here in front of me were all these moments I miss, forget about, and never
truly appreciate. It was my happy colorful messy love-filled life laid out
before me in a way I hadn't noticed.

And oh how my heart sang!”

— Mandy

A few things to consider

If you’re a family with young kids, they are usually at their happiest when they wake up. Mornings or after nap times work great.

Saturdays are limited and popular. Grab one while you can. CLICK HERE to read all my tips about booking your family session in 2025 and the differences between seasons.
Given the beautiful colors and lovely weather, spring and fall (October!) are the busiest times of year for family photos in the DC area. If you are considering a session during one of those times (especially if you want a weekend spot), please choose your date ASAP.
A few important days to have in mind for 2025:
November 2 - Daylight saving starts which means shorter days with less light
November 27 - Thanksgiving day
If you want your images in time for Christmas, your session must be scheduled on or before 11/23; Sessions after 11/23 will not be delivered before the New Year.
If you have a particular date or Holiday by which you need prints or gifts, be sure to book a date at least 4 weeks and preferably 6 weeks in advance of that date to ensure sufficient processing, printing, and shipping time.
Beautiful photographs can be made in any kind of weather, but I understand that there are some downsides to being photographed in the pouring rain or the freezing cold. I can and DO reschedule sessions for inclement weather.

Booking is made 100% online and takes just a few minutes.

BOOK YOUR SESSION HERE

PRO TIP FOR HOLIDAY CARDS

If you want your photos in time for the Holidays and want to get Black Friday discounts for Holiday cards,
I strongly suggest you book a session before November 3rd.

Fine Prints

*The $400 session fee is required at the time of booking and signing of the contract.*
*Session fees are separate from collections and do not apply towards any collections.*
*Session fees cover Juliette Fradin Photography’s time and talent, prep guide, signature post-processing, and delivery of a gallery with 50+ images. Products not included.*

step 2 getting ready

Now that we have a date, a time, a signed contract, and a $400 retainer, you are officially on the books!

Getting ready

Dive into my “GETTING READY” guide that will walk you through everything from choosing outfits to tips for getting kids to cooperate (or not and that will be ok too). That guide has been created and refined over years of experience, so it typically answers 90% of the questions that come up, but if you have any questions, do not hesitate to ask.

A few days before your session, I’ll reach out to confirm our time and location… at that point, if the weather does not want to cooperate or if somebody feels sick, we can talk about rescheduling options.

Also, let me know if you’ve come up with a fun idea we haven’t discussed.

step 3 picture day!

On the day of your session, the only thing you need to do is to get everybody dressed and fed (snacking is totally allowed during your session too so no worries about that).

I will travel to YOU so no need to stress about traffic, pack everyone in the car, or impromptu naps during the drive!

Block off 2 hours for storytelling sessions and 4 hours for documentary sessions. If a parent has to leave for an important business meeting and the rest of the family is still available, that’s fine. I’ll focus on getting that parent in the frame more while they’re still available.

Finally, take a deep breath and relax… A session with me is very relaxed. You don’t need to perform for me and I give you space to just be. I’ve been photographing families for years now so I make it as painless as possible for everyone involved ♥︎

Take a deep breath and let it go…

A session with me is very relaxed. You don’t need to perform for me and I give you space to just be.

I’ve been photographing families for years now so I make it as painless as possible for everyone involved ♥︎

STEP FOUR “YOUR PHOTOS ARE READY”

Within 3 weeks of your session, you will receive an email from me letting you know that your photos are ready. I send you a slideshow set to music.

Once you have a chance to see it and marvel for a bit, you’ll decide which collection you want to purchase.

After that, you’ll have a full month to fill that collection… zero pressure!

STEP Five choose a collection

All collections include a mix of digitals and products to choose in the store.

To reserve your date there is a $400 retainer fee that is separate from collections.

COLLECTION A - The seed

$900

Choice of 10 high resolution digital files
$100 gift credit good towards your choice of anything in the gallery store: loose prints, bamboo mounted prints, vintage boards, albums, digital files, etc.

COLLECTION B - The flower

$1,200

Choice of 20 high resolution digital files

$300 gift credit good towards your choice of anything in the store.

COLLECTION C - The garden

$1,500

✨BEST SELLER✨

All your high resolution digital files (+50)

$600 gift credit good towards your choice of anything in the store.

—DOCUMENTARY SESSION UPGRADE

+$1,200

For clients who want a visual record of their everyday, beautifully captured as a little time-capsule, you can add more time.

A documentary session is 100% unscripted, ideal for activities that require more than 1 location or more time like a trip to the farmers market, a pumpkin patch, to the beach, or celebrating your holiday traditions or an afternoon at the pool.

They last half a day so 4-hour long, in the morning or the afternoon to catch either waking up or going to bed. You receive around 130 images + a highlight reel with the best images + an additional $300 in print credit.

This upgrade is available for Collection C only as you will receive all High-resolution files.

“Love your documentary/real life style

—stands out from all the very white/bright style

for family/children photography that seems so popular now.”

STEP SIX BRING YOUR PIXELS TO LIFE

What you are going to do with your photos is perhaps the most important aspect to consider when you’re planning for a photo session, but it’s all too often the aspect that is overlooked… all that time and money you invested deserve a better return than photos gathering dust on a hard drive somewhere.

You will never get the same feeling looking at your photos on a screen as you will seeing them on your wall or flipping through the pages of an album, so I include a substantial print credit with every collection. Below is a sample of some of the items you can choose among: