Pittsburgh Family Photographer

Great question — and one I want to be really clear about, because the way I’ve built this experience is a little different from what you might expect.

Your session fee covers everything that goes into making the day itself effortless. My time and expertise as your photographer. A pre-session planning call to talk through your vision. Full access to my curated client wardrobe with options for the whole family — sizes XXS through XXXL, with everything from flowing dresses for mom to coordinated pieces for your partner and kids. Professional hair and makeup for mom in-studio. And the kind of experience that comes from being a mom of four myself and photographing hundreds of families through every version of a kid having a day — I know how to keep things moving so nobody is standing around waiting, how to read your toddler when they need a snack break, and how to help even the partner who hates having his photo taken feel at ease. The session fee is your investment in the experience — and it’s designed so that from the moment you walk through my door, every detail is already handled for you.

Your digital files and heirloom artwork are chosen and purchased separately after your session, during a Design and Ordering Appointment where we sit down together and I walk you through your images as printed proofs. This way, you’re only investing in the pieces you truly love — not paying for something that was decided before you’ve even seen your portraits.

I never want you to feel like there’s a one-size-fits-all answer here, but I also don’t want you to be surprised. Here’s how it usually looks.

The full Petite Magnolia experience begins at $1,300 — which includes your session fee and a handful of digital files. Most families invest $2,500 or more by adding heirloom artwork like an album, framed fine art prints, or matted keepsakes for your home. That number reflects everything from a single beautiful album to a full collection with framed prints for your walls and pieces for grandparents.

There’s no minimum product purchase. We walk through every option together at your Design and Ordering Appointment, with your actual images in front of you, so every decision feels right. I would rather you leave with one piece you are proud of than five things you feel lukewarm about.

This is one of my favorite parts of the experience, and honestly — it’s also one of the most efficient.

About two to three weeks after your session, you come back to the studio and I walk you through your finished images as printed proofs. Something you can actually hold in your hands. We design your album layouts, choose images for framed artwork, select your digital files, and decide what belongs on which wall, all in about an hour. No back and forth over email for weeks. No second-guessing yourself in front of a screen at 10pm. No DIY printing project you never start. No wondering what size looks right above the mantle or going up the stairs.

Bring the kids. Bring your partner. Bring whoever you want there with you. Your little ones are welcome — there are toys, snacks, and plenty of room for them to be themselves while we work. No need to find a sitter. I handle all of the design, layout, sizing, and framing decisions. You just tell me what you love. This is what I mean when I say your experience is fully guided from start to finish.

Absolutely. I want this to feel exciting, not stressful, and I’m happy to work with you on a structure that makes your investment feel comfortable.

For your session fee, a deposit reserves your date and the remaining balance is due before your session. If you’re planning ahead and your session is a few months out, we can spread that into additional payments leading up to your session day.

For your artwork and digital files, we’ll talk through payment options at your Design and Ordering Appointment. My goal is to make sure you walk away with the pieces your family will treasure — and that getting there feels as easy as everything else.

As a Pittsburgh family photographer, my first choice is almost always the field location— about five minutes from the studio. There is more room for kids to run, space for larger families to spread out, and a natural, relaxed energy that brings out the best in everyone. It is available from May through early November and is honestly where some of my favorite family portraits have happened.

For sessions outside that window, my McMurray studio is warm, naturally lit, and available year round. Either way, we start at the studio first for hair, makeup, and wardrobe, and then head outside together if the weather and season are right. You never have to find a location or figure out logistics. That part is handled.

As soon as you know you want one. Reaching out early is the best gift you can give yourself when reserving a Pittsburgh family photographer. Fall tends to fill up the fastest — if you are thinking about holiday portraits, reach out by late summer to secure your date. Spring and summer are beautiful in the studio and at the field. There is truly no bad time for a family session, but the earlier you reach out the more flexibility we have with scheduling.

Honestly? This comes up almost every week. And almost every time, I hear the same thing at the end of the session — that wasn’t so bad at all. My sessions are relaxed and low-pressure. I keep things moving efficiently so nobody is standing around waiting or feeling awkward. I direct everything, so your partner never has to wonder what to do. Most dads are genuinely surprised by how quickly we wrap up and how easy the whole thing felt.

Absolutely not. Four kids of my own means I have seen every version of a child having a day. Tantrums, tears, total chaos — none of it has ever ruined a session. I am not trying to get your kids to perform. I photograph your family as you actually are. The real moments — a belly laugh between poses, a toddler making a run for it, a kid who refused to smile until suddenly they couldn’t stop — those are almost always the ones families love most.