Sunrise Family Session at the Arnold Arboretum

Early Morning Call Time

It was a crisp, clear morning in September when I met with Emma, Brian, and their baby girl, Nora, at the Arnold Arboretum. We started at sunrise when the air held that soft early-morning hush, and as the light warmed the Arboretum’s early autumn colors, we had the place almost entirely to ourselves. Sunrise is the best time for a photo session, send me a message and I’ll see if I can convince you 😉 The parking gods were even on our side, and anyone familiar with the Arboretum knows what a win that is on a weekend morning. 

Emma and Brian had just started this new chapter as parents, and they brought with them a calm and peace that comes from being deeply connected, even as life is speeding around them. They were dressed in cozy, natural tones, following some wardrobe tips I’d shared to help them create a cohesive vision for their family photos. For Nora, at six months old, every new experience is a marvel, and you could see her eyes following their voices, her tiny hands grasping onto them.

Choosing the Arnold Arboretum as the Perfect Backdrop

The Arboretum is one of my favorite places in Boston for family sessions for a number of reasons. Take the Boston Public Garden, for example. Stunning backdrop! But unless you’re visiting around sunrise timing, it is almost always bustling with people and activity. (Sunrise at the Public Garden is well worth the early call time. Check out this sunrise engagement session I did with Aubry and Joe!). Compared to this, the Arboretum feels like a respite any time of day. Here, families can relax and unfold into themselves because there is so much real estate to wander which offers so much privacy, which allows me to capture moments that feel genuine and authentic. The light at the Arboretum is also the *best*; because there are so many good spots, it is a versatile backdrop for whatever lighting situation is present. It adapts well to the day’s mood, whether it’s bright sunlight streaming through or a misty overcast morning. And because there’s so much room to explore, I can find pockets of light that suit each situation uniquely, offering us freedom from harsher lighting and crowds. For Emma, Brian, and Nora, the Arboretum gave us space to let them simply be together, creating moments that feel like a breath of fresh air in the rush of everyday life.

Capturing the Early Months of Family Life

Emma and Brian arrived at this session during a time when everything feels nascent and full of life for them. They were newlyweds, having gotten married less than a year prior. They’re first-time parents, adjusting to life with a baby. Emma had recently returned to work just two weeks before the session. Needless to say, it was an ephemeral moment in time. 

As we moved through the Arboretum, Nora showed us a full spectrum of expressions. She’s a happy, curious baby who is enamored with her mom and dad. Nora’s expressions throughout the session were a gift—curiosity, calm—all on display. My family sessions are up to 90 minutes long, which was enough time for her to take a little power nap, giving Emma and Brian a few moments just between them. Watching them together, it was so heartwarming to see them share this moment—a reminder that parenthood is not only about nurturing a little one but also about growing together.

Blending Documentary and Editorial Styles for Authentic Connection

If you’re reading this post and confused what documentary style photography is versus editorial style, buckle up. Documentary style involves very little to no intervention from the photographer. Editorial style photography is focused on storytelling: what narrative are you depicting? is there a message you’d like to convey? It’s heavily prompted and posed but the result is an image in which I hope to convey the essence of the connection I’m showing.

My approach to photographing families is a blend of documentary and editorial styles, allowing for both those timeless posed shots and candid, documentary-style photos that feel real and full of life. There’s a gentle quality to documentary-style photos that makes you feel like you’re seeing things as they happen, almost as if you’re witnessing the family’s laughter ripple through the scene. These photos capture each person’s joy, creating images that feel like you’re experiencing the moment right there with them. With some simple, lighthearted prompts, Emma and Brian break out into laughter over a shared joke (cue Michael Scott’s “I love inside jokes. I hope to be a part of one someday.”). The result was a collection of photos that tells their story earnestly. Here’s a fun test: can you tell which are prompted, and which aren’t?

Timeless Images

The final images from this session tell a story of new beginnings. It’s a big year for Emma and Brian—new parents, recently married, stepping into roles that bring more depth and meaning to their lives. This moment in time, with Nora so little and so loved, is a chapter they will hold dear. My hope is that years down the road, they’ll pull these photos out and feel transported back to this time in their lives. The beauty of photographs is how they hold more than just an image—they capture the laughter, the connection, the feeling of being wrapped in warmth. I hope these images bring them joy and comfort as they look back at all they’ve built together and the new life they’re guiding forward. 

Logistics

Before our session, I sent Emma a map of our planned route, highlighting two favorite spots that capture the Arboretum’s early fall beauty.  If this isn’t type-A, I don’t know what to tell you.

Also! I’m personable! Reach out if you’d like to work with me :)

Curious how the session goes? Here’s a snapshot!