Looking For a Family Photographer? Check This List

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Capturing the journey of your growing baby bump and your growing family is such a rewarding way to cherish the memories and emotions that come with these new experiences. Whether you’re pregnant with the cutest bump, just brought your newborn home, or have a high-energy toddler (or even a teenager), choosing a photographer to tell your family story can be both exciting and overwhelming.

There are so many things to consider when choosing a photographer, starting with styles: natural, formal, candid, or posed, just to name a few. How about location – indoor or outdoor? Home or studio? How should you pose? What's your budget? What should you wear? And when you have figured out all this, you’ll still need to make sure that this person works well with children, and that their style is a fit for your family.

Beijing doesn’t lack photo studios, and there are quite a few options, but we’ve gone a bit deeper and found the most expat-friendly family photographers in case you ever want to record memories that you and your family will cherish.

D

ave Hanssen

Est 2013

Dave’s Studio was established in 2013 by David Hanssen, and one of their main projects is children and family photography. He and his team have been working with international schools, foreign embassies, international and local companies, and he’s shot many of the most beautiful jingkids magazine covers over the past few years. The studio is also skilled with maternity photos.

When is the best time to get a maternity shoot done?

“The best time to show your bump is around months 7-8, but each person is different, and best to listen to your body and energy levels,” says Dave.

He also says that it’s important to communicate with your photographer beforehand about the style of images you want and your level of energy. “Expect to be in the studio for up to four hours, including hair and make-up time, with small breaks and wardrobe changes.”

Do you provide props and wardrobe?
“My studio will help to pick out outfits and suggest outfits and color schemes, but we do not provide outfits. Most clients choose between two to three outfits. We don’t put a number on the number of outfits; we will shoot as long as you have energy and until you are happy with the images.”

Maternity packages with Dave start at RMB 4,800 and include ten edited images and prints.

What should parents expect when booking a kids/family photo session?

When it comes to kids/family photography, Dave says that it’s important for parents to prepare “bribes” for kids, such as snacks and sweets for after the shoot is done. They also have a team of professionals to help the children feel comfortable in front of the camera, “We have trained staff to help make kiddos feel relaxed and fun during family shootings. Our hope and philosophy with family sessions is to help with the kiddos and lower parents’ stress with getting the 'perfect family' photo and also show that a silly photo that shows your children’s personality is sometimes more memorable than a traditional family photo.”

From the jingkids team, over the years we’ve asked Dave to shoot magazine covers for us that have featured babies, toddlers, families, teens, and even pets at all sorts of locations.  We’ve seen him in action firsthand. He’s got a knack for making kids laugh and feel relaxed all while snapping the photo at the exact right split second.

Do you help families figure out their outfits for their family photos?
“We do help parents with outfit selection and advice on coordinating outfits, as well as family color palette suggestions.”

What’s the most challenging part of photographing children?
“I feel the most challenging part of a family photo session is selecting the images to keep.”

“Dave and his team are laid back, smooth, efficient, kind, entertaining, and on top of that, incredibly talented photographers. Working with Dave will 100 % be a pleasant experience + you’ll walk away with amazing photos to cherish for a lifetime.” says Theresa Parsonage, a client of Dave’s Studio for over a decade.

Client testimonial

Family portrait sessions with the studio’s Chinese staff start at RMB 3,800, and sessions with Dave start at RMB 6,500.

To book your session with Dave and his team, call or WeChat him at 151 2003 1270, or email [e-mail].

O

lga and Mike

Since 2019

Olga and Mike come highly recommended in our expat community as talented lifestyle photographers able to capture the warmest moments in life. Olga, a mom of three, has been doing family and portrait photography for five years, while Mike also offers videography services and has been a part of the captivating world of photography for most of his life.

When is the best time to get a maternity shoot done?
“Usually it’s between 26 and 34 weeks, when your beautiful belly is big enough but you still feel comfortable and active. But it’s still possible to do a maternity photo shoot later, even at 38-39 weeks, if that’s what you want.”

Olga says that moms-to-be are welcome to prepare any props they want to be included, such as first clothes for the baby, ultrasound pictures, flowers, baby name signs, or anything else that they would want captured in the moments. However, she also says that “it’s also possible to prepare nothing and just show your emotions and all the love you feel for your baby. And concentrate on the connection between you and your partner.”

What to expect when booking a newborn photo shoot?

“This is about love and welcoming your child to your family and the world. For most parents, having a newborn baby isn’t only about sweet moments and joy; it can be exhausting because of sleepless nights, recovery, anxiety, self-doubt, etc.

“And it’s really important to make a session comfortable and relaxed. That’s why I prefer home photo shoots in this case. No need to go anywhere and everything you need is at hand. Also, it turns out very personal.”

The newborn photoshoot is usually done before the baby turns 14 days old. This is very important for studio sessions because babies need to get wrapped up and settled into particular poses.

But according to Olga, age doesn’t matter when it comes to lifestyle photography sessions. “What does matter, however, is your and your baby’s condition – how you feel. Are you ready for the photoshoot?
The newborn sessions should be done during the baby’s first month of life because kids grow so fast and change so fast!”

What preparations should parents take?

“The outfits you would like to wear during the photoshoot, a blanket for your baby, first toys if you want, maybe some special cute gifts from friends or grandparents. The sessions shouldn’t be overwhelming. It can be very simple but yet sweet and memorable.” Olga also says that every parent should share their thoughts and ideas with the photographer.

What is the duration of the photoshoot?
“Usually it’s up to 1.5-2 hours.” But it can last longer, of course, if your baby is very unsettled or hungry. If the baby is asleep, the photographer sometimes wants to wait and the time can be used to “capture sweet moments between mom and dad or parents and the other siblings.” Olga says that “lifestyle photography is all about capturing emotions, connection, tiny details and real-life moments that will not happen again.”

To contact Olga, add her WeChat: olga_photography, and to contact Mike, add: 150 1138 5869.

M

onika Schlosser

Since 2018

Six years ago, Monika was running her own service business in Hungary. It was going well, but she wasn’t passionate about it. She decided it was time for a change, so she quit when her son was born. She sold her business and took a year off to figure out what she wanted to do. That’s when she discovered her love for photography.

“I’ve always loved how time stops when I’m taking pictures,” she says. “The feeling that I’m able to make people happy with my pictures just felt so right. So I went to school again and started my career as a photographer.

“Now, my family and I live in Beijing. I opened my home studio last year, so I do most of my shooting there. I love taking pictures of businesses/brands, families, couples, and newborns.”

Is it safe to do a photoshoot of a newborn baby during their first days of life? How are newborn photoshoots done?

“When a newborn arrives for a session with me, it’s both an honor and a responsibility that I take to heart. As a mother myself, I understand the importance of entrusting your precious newborn to someone.” Monika says that safety and comfort are two top priorities during the sessions. She follows a hygiene protocol, especially during the first 7-10 days when your baby’s immune system is still developing.

What to expect when booking a baby photo session?

“Before your session, we’ll discuss your vision for the photographs, including preferences for backgrounds and costumes. I’ll also provide detailed instructions to help prepare your baby for the session, ensuring a seamless experience.” Once you arrive at her studio, Monika takes the opportunity to get to know the little one better. Then she prepares the baby for the shoot, usually by asking the mother to help soothe the little one to sleep.

As for making the parents comfortable and at ease, Monika says that “sometimes, the baby may not feel tired, be too curious, refuse to fall asleep, or even start to cry. Parents must understand that this is completely normal. Rest assured, with patience, we can help the baby relax and capture those precious moments. Even if the baby stays awake throughout the session (which is rare), we’ll make the most of the situation.”

Monika mainly conducts photo sessions in her home studio, equipped with all the necessary professional equipment. “However, if you prefer lifestyle-style pictures or find it more convenient, we can also have the photoshoot at your home. A typical session lasts around 1.5-2 hours, and my standard package starts at RMB 1,800, including a studio rental fee, two costumes, and 20 retouched pictures in an online gallery. Customized packages are available upon request.”

To book a photo session or for further questions, add Monika on WeChat:

Images: David Hanssen, Olga P., Monika Schlosser

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