Santa Barbara Family Photographer

Not at all; most people don't. I'll guide you the whole way with small, simple directions, and give you time to relax into it. The best frames usually come once you've forgotten about the camera.

On location: the bluffs and beaches, oak groves, downtown Santa Barbara, your workplace or your home. Travel within 25 miles of Goleta is included; I'm happy to suggest a spot that suits your session and the time of year.

For family sessions, early morning or the hour or so before sunset, when the light is soft. Mornings are quieter on the beaches, and in late spring and summer the coast is often foggy early on, which gives soft, even light rather than sun.

Comfortable clothes you feel like yourself in, in soft, natural tones; avoid large logos and busy patterns.

I go through every frame myself and edit the strongest ones by hand, so you receive a curated gallery rather than a set number; how many depends on the session. Your private gallery follows in about two weeks (always within three). Holiday Mini Sessions include 10 hand-edited images, delivered within 14 days. You can download everything in high resolution and print wherever you like.

I watch the forecast, the wind and the air quality for you, and I make the call. If rain, strong wind or smoke move in, I'll let you know by the evening before when I can, or that morning if the sky is undecided, and we'll find another date that suits you. Weather moves are always free. Our usual coastal fog and soft overcast skies aren't a reason to postpone; they make some of the loveliest light.

Life happens. You can move your session once, free, with at least 72 hours' notice, to a date that works for both of us within six months. If someone gets sick or there's an emergency closer to the day, just let me know before your start time and I'll offer one courtesy reschedule. Holiday Mini Sessions move to another open time on the mini session dates.

Send an inquiry through the form on my homepage and I'll reply within 24 hours, often much sooner, with open dates. Once you've chosen one, you'll sign the agreement and pay a 50% retainer online, which holds your date and is nonrefundable. The balance is due two days before your session. Holiday Mini Sessions are $150, paid in full when you book on the Holiday Mini Sessions page.