After photographing families for years, I’ve learned that sometimes the things clients think they want from their photo session aren’t actually the things that are going to give them the best experience—or the best photos.

And I get it! Unless you have photo sessions all the time, how would you know?

So here are five things you might think you want from your next photo session...but you probably don’t.

1. A Long Session

I remember someone once telling me they didn’t want to pay for a 10-minute photo session.

And I understand the thought process. If you’re paying for photos, wouldn’t you rather get an hour than 10 or 15 minutes?

Not necessarily.

More time does not automatically equal better photos.

If I can give you a great gallery in 10 or 15 minutes, especially with younger kids, why would we want to stretch that into an hour? Kids get tired. Dads get tired. Moms start stressing because the kids are getting tired. 😂

Sometimes short and sweet is exactly what your family needs.

There are absolutely times when a longer session makes sense. Senior sessions, extended families, newborn sessions and families wanting lots of variety may need more time. But don't choose a session based solely on how many minutes you're getting.

Choose it based on what you actually want from your photos.

2. ALL the Images

This is another one I completely understand.

If I took 300 photos, why wouldn't you want all 300?

Because you really, really don't. 😂

There are test shots. Someone blinked. Someone moved. I took six nearly identical photos because I was making sure I got ONE where everyone looked great. There are duplicates. There are photos that simply aren't as strong as the others.

Part of my job as your photographer is choosing the best images from your session.

I'd much rather give you a gallery of images that I am proud of—and that you're excited to look through—than overwhelm you with hundreds of photos that you don't need.

More isn't always better.

3. Perfect Photos

Of course we are going to try to get the photo where everyone is looking at the camera and smiling.

But perfect isn't always what you'll love the most.

Sometimes it's the photo where your child is laughing. Or the way your husband looks at your daughter. Or your kids being ridiculous together. Sometimes it's the little expression that is SO them right now.

Those are often the photographs that become more valuable as the years go by.

I want beautiful photos for you. But I don't need your family to be perfect to create them.

Actually, I'd rather photograph your family being your family.

4. The Prettiest Location

This one surprises people.

A location can be absolutely beautiful in person and still not be a great place for photos.

Maybe there's a gorgeous water fountain and you think, "I want our family standing right there!"

But once I put five people in front of it...you can't even see the fountain.

Or maybe the prettiest part of a location has terrible lighting at the exact time we're scheduled to be there.

When I'm choosing where to photograph you, I'm looking at a location very differently than you might when you're visiting it.

I'm looking at the light.

Where is the sun going to be? Is there open shade? What is going to be behind you? How much room do I have to back up? What will actually show in the photograph once I put people into the scene?

Lighting is almost always more important than the location itself.

So if you tell me about a beautiful spot and I steer you toward a different area—or even a completely different location—there's a reason.

Some places are beautiful places to visit.

That doesn't necessarily make them beautiful places to photograph.

5. That Photo You Saw on Pinterest

I love when clients send me inspiration. It helps me understand what you're drawn to and what you envision for your photos.

But there's a difference between inspiration and recreation.

You might see a photo on Pinterest and think, "I want THAT."

But that photograph may have been taken at a completely different location, at a different time of day, with different lighting, different outfits and a family with completely different personalities.

And sometimes what looks completely natural in one photograph just doesn't work for another family.

I don't want to spend your session trying to recreate someone else's family photos.

I want to create yours.

Bring me the Pinterest ideas. Show me what you love. Tell me what you're envisioning.

Then trust me to take that inspiration and create something that actually works for your family, your location, your outfits and your personalities.

So What SHOULD You Want?

You want a photographer you trust.

Someone who knows when 15 minutes is plenty and when you need an hour. Someone who knows which images belong in your final gallery. Someone who can find the best light even when it isn't in the most obvious spot. Someone who will get the smiling-at-the-camera photo—but also knows when to keep shooting after it.

And someone who isn't trying to make your family look like the one you saw on Pinterest.

Because your photos shouldn't look exactly like anyone else's.

They should look like you.