Chester County Family Portrait Studio
Professional Family Photographer in Malvern
My Chester County studio is equipped for both indoor portraits and outdoor sessions on the historic grounds surrounding it, giving you a variety of looks in a single visit. For on-location shoots, I’ll recommend the best times of day to take advantage of natural light and seasonal backdrops, ensuring your images are beautifully lit and timeless.
Children’s Portraits in Malvern
Photographing children has been one of the great joys of my career, and I’ve been fortunate to do it professionally for more than 25 years. Every child is unique; some love the camera, while others are shy, energetic, or a little stubborn. My strength lies in connecting with kids of all personalities, even the most spirited toddlers. Rather than forcing poses, I let them play, explore, and be themselves. The result? Genuine smiles, natural expressions, and a stress-free experience for parents.
Family Portraits in Chester County
There’s something timeless about portraits of parents with their children. Whether it’s a playful moment, a warm embrace, or a beautifully posed group photo, family portraits celebrate the love and connection at the heart of your household. These sessions document your family as it is right now, from young parents with little ones to families with teens ready to head out on their own. I’ll guide you through natural poses while leaving space for candid interactions, creating a gallery that reflects both your personalities and your bond. I photograph families of all sizes, from blended households to extended groups, as well as milestone sessions and even “just because” portraits. Pets, especially dogs, are always welcome, whether they’re the star of the show or part of the family portrait.
Extended Family Sessions
Extended family portraits are a beautiful way to bring generations together. These sessions often include grandparents, their children, and all the grandchildren, photographed in one or two large groupings. From there, I create smaller combinations: each family individually, cousins together, grandchildren with grandparents, and of course, portraits of grandparents by themselves. I’m happy to accommodate any meaningful groupings you’d like. Because of the variety, extended family sessions typically last about 90 minutes. This extra time allows me to capture both posed and candid moments, keeping the pace relaxed and ensuring a well-rounded collection of images that documents your family’s legacy for years to come.
All Abilities Welcome
Every family deserves portraits that reflect and celebrate who they are. I have extensive experience working with children and adults of all abilities, including those on the autism spectrum and individuals with visual, hearing, or physical impairments. My priority is to create a safe and welcoming environment where everyone feels relaxed and included. By paying close attention to cues and offering gentle guidance, I help each person feel at ease, allowing true personalities to shine through. The result is a collection of portraits where every family member is authentically and beautifully represented.
Portrait Retouching Included
Every portrait you order from me includes professional retouching. It’s part of the process, not an extra fee. Proofs are shown unedited so you can focus on choosing your favorites, but once your selections are made, each image is polished before delivery. That means blemishes, redness, flyaway hairs, small clothing distractions, and even background clutter are taken care of, all while keeping you looking like yourself. The result is a clean, natural portrait you’ll be proud to share. Curious about the details? Learn more in my retouching FAQ.
Where I Photograph Families
Most portrait sessions take place in my Malvern studio, and I frequent Chester County, Delaware County, Montgomery County, and Philadelphia. I’m also happy to travel to the Poconos, New Jersey beaches, Maryland, Delaware, or your favorite vacation destination.
Frequently Asked Questions About Portrait Sessions
If you need the photos for something specific, allow a few weeks from the session date to when you need the prints or images.
If you have extended family coming into town and you know the date, book ASAP before someone else takes that time slot!
Regarding times of day, for couples and families with older children, about 90 minutes before sunset is perfect. That way, we have the warm, low evening light that we photographers refer to as "sweet light". Families with younger children are usually best photographed in the morning, because most kids are more content and cooperative earlier in the day. You know your children best, so choose a time when they are generally in a good mood and not prone to being hungry or tired. I usually suggest a 10:00 am start time for families with young children.
I have a fabulous studio in Malvern at Historic Sugartown. It offers gorgeous, historical grounds outside, a stone ruin, plenty of foliage, and a studio set-up indoors with plenty of backdrops to choose from! There are also some great natural light areas around the inside of the building, making it a great option when the weather does not cooperate. If you don't want to come to my studio in Chester County, I am happy to schedule your session in a park or at your home. Let me know what you have in mind, and we will work it out!
Family portrait session clients should be sure to have clean outfits for the kids and maybe a backup, just in case. If you bring bribery snacks, don't bring ones that dye their mouths colors or make sticky messes. Goldfish crackers, pretzels, raisins, or fruit snacks work great. A special toy is always welcome, but I do suggest leaving iPads at home or in the car.
I do not lower the quality or resolution of the images, nor do I deliver them with logos or watermarks. These images will easily print 20x30 and larger, and are a 5-15 megabytes each in file size. They will be delivered via download, and I suggest you back them up and make copies of the files for safekeeping.
Most dogs are pretty energetic, just like most toddlers. Sometimes they do hilarious and unplanned things. These moments usually lead to some kind of great photo, and you'd be surprised— I only need cooperation for a split second to capture that one good image!
