Kalyn and Anna needed photos for their Christmas cards this year, so they chose to do in home Christmas photos. When Kalyn reached out, she asked about a family session. So I was under the impression that they had human children. It was a very pleasant surprise to find out they had fur children instead and it made me happy that this is how Kalyn and Anna define family. I think most people would have asked for a couple’s session where they could have their dogs, but how sweet is it that Kalyn defined it as family instead. I love that so much.

The dogs didn’t last long in their pajamas but they looked darn cute during the time we got. They helped give lots of love while their mom’s decorated the Christmas tree.

I am not typically a family photographer, and Kalyn was asking for family photos, so I told her the only kind of family photos that I take are the lifestyle kind. Where the family does something they would normally do and I’m there with a camera. We talked through some ideas for what that would look like, baking cookies, game night, walking their favorite path, going shopping at Target. And ultimately landed on decorating their Christmas tree while drinking hot chocolate. Since these in home Christmas photos were for their Christmas cards, it was perfect.

Obviously, human children weren’t involved. And it was an unseasonably warm day. I’m talking like mid-seventy’s. So the hot chocolate ended up being traded for wine. And we were all a little warmer than we expected to be, especially the pups. We got a few photos outside with their blow up snowman and front door Christmas decorations. But my favorite photos are the ones inside. Kalyn said her goal was to make the house feel like a Hallmark Christmas movie and I think she did a great job.

After the Christmas tree was decorated, the family sat together on their very comfy couch. They cuddled up for the last few photos and then got to enjoy their decorations together.

If you’re looking for ways to include Christmas time in your photos, check out this engagement session.