Family Photo Sessions

FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHER IN IOWA CITY

Serving North Liberty, Iowa City, Solon, Coralville, and Cedar Rapids

AN ‘EASY’ BUTTON FOR FAMILY PHOTOS

Your plate is full—spilling over the edges, tater tots rolling under the table kind of full.

YOU NEED A PHOTOGRAPHER WHO LIGHTENS THE LOAD.

That’s the difference with me. I’ll help with what to wear, where we go, what to do with your hands. No book-and-ghost—you’ll always know what’s next.

Raise your hand if…

  • You want to be photographed as you are—real, chaotic, imperfect
  • You’re over the prairie dress and boho vibe
  • You know there’s got to be a better way than frozen smiles and awkward poses
Your family counts. However you built it, whoever’s in it—you’re welcome here.🏳️‍🌈

Keep scrolling for pricing and examples of my work.

Toddler girl hugging her teddy bear with her eyes squeezed shut

“Lydia has great communication before the session about location, wardrobe, and timing. She’s so kind and makes it a fun experience.”

— Morgan D. 

A family of four in their living room with mom and dad standing in front of the sliding glass door looking at their two daughters seated nearby who are looking back and smiling

Family Session Pricing

PREMIUM

  • OUTDOOR SUNSET or IN-HOME PORTRAIT SESSION (~1 HOUR)
  • GALLERY OF 70+ EDITED IMAGES
  • ALL IMAGES DOWNLOADABLE WITH PRINT RELEASE 
  • OUTFIT HELP + OPTIONAL STYLING SERVICE

$1,025

STANDARD

  • OUTDOOR SUNSET or IN-HOME PORTRAIT SESSION (~1 HOUR)
  • GALLERY OF 70+ EDITED IMAGES
  • 20 IMAGES OF YOUR CHOICE AS DOWNLOADS + PRINT RELEASE 
  • OUTFIT HELP + OPTIONAL STYLING SERVICE

$850

$30 EACH FOR EXTRA IMAGES
$250 UPGRADE TO PURCHASE ALL IMAGES FOR DOWNLOAD

Packages and products are subject to Iowa sales tax. Prices are reviewed regularly. 

“Lydia is easy and great to work with! She’s awesome with kids and makes photos enjoyable for all—even my oldest kiddo enjoyed himself.”

—Lindsay G.

Lydia and her family seated on the grass on a summer day in a park during family photos in St Louis

Photo by Felise Photography

I’m Lydia

You do not need a perfectly behaved family to have photos you love. Kids can be wiggly, teens unimpressed, and dads reluctant—I’m used to it, because that’s just real life. 

BLOG POST

How often should you get family photos?

I break down the most common cadence for families of all types; from young families to those with teens and beyond.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

About Family Sessions

Will my photos be downloadable?

If you opt for the Premium package, all of your photos will be downloadable;

If you choose the Standard package, 20 images of your choice will be downloadable.

Downloads are JPEG files that are yours to keep, and they’re the same resolution that comes out of my camera. Share them online, make them into a photo book, print them to frame on your walls… just about anything goes.

Can I opt out of having our photos posted?

Yep, and it’s your call. Before your session, pick one: share freely, no faces, or no sharing at all. Either way, I never tag you or your kids.

Also worth knowing: I use a secure, cloud-based AI editing assistant to speed up my workflow. Your photos are never used to train public AI models and never shared with third parties.

Where will we have our session?

May through October, we can shoot in your home or outdoors. Is there a location that’s meaningful to your family, like a park or your family farm? Let’s do it!

I have a long list of beautiful locations, and I’ll choose one that looks great and works well with your outfit colors. November through April, when it’s cold out, your session will take place in your home.

How soon will I get my photos?

Waiting 3 months for your photos is a drag, so I take a limited number of clients each month so I can keep my turnaround nice and quick. I deliver your gallery 2-3 weeks after your session. In the fall, it’s a max of 30 days.

When should I book?

Outdoor sessions (May to October) fill quickly; schedule 4-6 months in advance. Indoor family sessions (year-round) can be booked 1–3 months prior.

The best way to snag a spot on my schedule is to join my email list. You’ll get first dibs, before the gen pop.

Ready to book? Let’s do this thing.

Will you help me with outfits?

Absolutely. You’ll get my Outfit Guide—dos, don’ts, color tips, photo-friendly inspo, the works. Send me outfit pics as you shop; I’ve got you. Want to skip the stress entirely? My stylist partner can handle it all for you.

How do I book a session?

Ooh, yay! This’ll be fun. Fill this out and I’ll get back to you quick as lightning.

Tips for great photos

Should you tip your photographer?

Wondering if you should tip your photographer? Short answer: it’s not expected. Here’s the real deal on tipping; no guilt, no math required.

Should I wear my hair down for family photos?

Hair up or down for family photos? I’m a family photographer and I’ll break down why hair down usually wins—and when hair up is the smarter call.

Best colors to wear for photos in the fall

Peak fall color outfits don’t have to be a guessing game. Here’s how to use the color wheel to choose tones that work… and avoid the ones that fight the scenery.

Best timing for family pictures: A month-by-month guide

Why are so many family photos taken in the fall? Why not July? Let’s talk about the “best” time of the year to do family photos, and the timing that’s best for YOUR crew.

What to wear for cold-weather outdoor photos

A complete guide for what to wear for family photos when it’s cold, to keep toes warm and smiles plentiful!

What to do when your husband hates family pictures

Tired of dragging your partner to family photos? Learn how to prep even the most reluctant spouse for fun, real, and stress-free sessions.

How often should you get family photos?

Your family is constantly changing, but how often should you book professional photos? I break it down by age—from baby milestones to grown-up kids—so you can capture what matters, without feeling like you’re living in front of the camera.

How to prep your house for an in-home photo session

In-home family sessions are the best for their relaxed vibe. I’ll cover step by step how to prep your home for an upcoming in-home photo session.

Where to print your professional photos (and what to avoid)

You had photos taken by a pro and you’ve got the jpegs from the shoot. But how do you go about turning them into art for your walls? Check out my top 5 tips for printing your own photos.

Extended family photo color schemes and wardrobe tips

Keep your extended family looking cohesive and put-together (without being matchy-matchy) for family photos. Bonus: the do’s and don’ts for wardrobe.