Welcome Wildly Lovely Families!

How to have the best family photos EVER!!

rhode island family photographer

Here’s where you’ll find all the information you need to prepare to have the best family photos ever! What to expect, what to wear, and when you’ll hear more from me! Please take a moment to read through this page, and bookmark it on your browser for easy reference as you get ready!

What to wear:

This is the burning question of every family - especially the planner. Here are my top tips on choosing your families outfits:

  1. Your clothing should feel like you. You should choose clothing for the most difficult to dress person first. (I usually suggest picking mama’s outfit first. This is a great day for mom to feel the most beautiful!) Not everyone is a flowy dress on the mountainside kinda gal, and that’s ok! Your photos will represent you, and your family, so pick what makes you feel great.

  2. Choose clothing that makes sense for the weather. We get all kinds of weather here in Hampton Roads, and we won’t reschedule unless it’s really rainy/terrible out. If we’re doing a family session at the waterfront please expect it to be 10 degrees colder than inland. Layers are a great way to keep comfy/warm and add texture to your outfits. Dresses with sweaters layered on top, long sleeves with vests, etc.

  3. Don't forget to plan the outfits completely: the shoes, jewelry, undergarments, hats, etc. so you're prepared on the day of the session. Be conscious of glasses glare. If anyone wants to wear their glasses and they don't have an antiglare coating (or if they are blue light blocking or bifocals) then it will definitely show up on camera. Set an appointment to get the lenses taken out for the day of your session (most places will do this for free) or grab some cheap readers that look similar to your glasses and pop the lenses out. If anyone wears a digital watch, please switch it out for a more timeless piece. Or for women, a bracelet that covers your tan line works, too. Digital watches really date your photos so unless you really love it please don't wear them.

  4. For makeup, matte colors photograph best in natural light. If you're going to wear lipstick, make sure it won't come off easily because I'm going to have you kissing lots of faces!! I love liquid lip stains because they dry and then don't come off. For the guys, just do what they normally do :)

Mother snuggling toddler wrapped in a blanket

How to have the best family session EVER. 

Trust me you don't want to skip this section!

Give yourself plenty of time!

  • Leave extra time for getting ready, have your outfits laid out and steamed the night before.

  • Add 30-60 minutes to your getting ready time to hunt down shoes, and clean faces, last minute potty runs and getting everyone into the car. (No one wants to rush out the door and be stressy before family photos!)

Be well rested and fed!

  • Family photo day isn’t the right day to spend at a water park, or running between every activity all day long. Make your family photos their own special activity. Have a slower day, make sure your kiddos who nap get a good rest!

  • Give yourself enough time to eat well and get ready! Hangry kids aren’t going to have fun, and neither are hangry adults!

Mother snuggling shy preschooler

During your session:

  • The best photos come from interacting authentically with your family.

  • I want you to just be together as you would be at home snuggling on the couch, or playing together at the park.

  • If your kids are more quiet and shy - let them be themselves! snuggle or sway with them, stroke their hair etc.

  • If your kids are more energetic play, tickle, toss them in the air.

  • Laugh. Giggle. Joke. Embrace. Smooch. Snuggle. Play.

  • If you ever don’t know what to do, find someone and snuggle them!

What happens now?

You've picked your date and approximate time, and now what?

You will hear from me by email only.

  1. You will hear from me within 2 weeks of your session date with a quick questionnaire to get the final details, and more information to pick your location if we haven’t decided already!

  2. Next email will be 1 week out from your session with your final session time (based on light so it will change from your booked time slightly!) and the final location decided on as well as any last minute details.

  3. After your session you can expect to hear from me in 2-3 weeks with your finished gallery!

FAQs

  • Family sessions average between 30 minutes - 1hr. I like to provide a range of time because each family has different needs during our time together. Having a little room decreases the pressure to 'get the perfect shot' right from the start. We can spend a little time getting kids used to the camera, so we can capture some natural family interactions and smiles.

    How it usually goes:

    We'll spend a little time warming up, going off some kid cues we'll either relax and snuggle, tickle, tell some jokes, play peek a boo. If the kids are ready to go, or older we'll start with what I like to call "Grandma's frames" photos - images of the kiddos/family looking at the camera, traditional posing. After that with our remaining time we'll move around, get some more "lifestyle" or relaxed, still posed/prompted but with that observational feel.

    One thing to remember is that lifestyle photography is much more relaxed than traditional or studio styles. I don't guarantee any particular arrangement. Not to worry - we'll get many beautiful shots of your family enjoying time with each other.

  • I totally understand the worry that your kids won't behave. (I find myself worrying about the same things when its my family's turn to be in front of the camera!) Here's a few things I've learned:

    Rested, well fed, and comfy kids are happy kids! My other main tip is to remember that family photo time isn't the right time for correcting minor behavior and punishment. Your kids will have fun if you're having fun and you have a relaxed and happy attitude. Kids totally feed off of our emotions! Prepare to have fun, play, snuggle and laugh with your family. You'll love your photos even more when you have happy not stressful memories attached to them.

    I wrote a quick blog post that has some more tips here. Feel free to check it out.

  • I do not usually use props. I love the simplicity of lifestyle family photography, and I find props distract from the connection we're looking for.

    You won't find me using intricate set ups for sessions.

    If you have something that is meaningful for your family we can discuss on a case by case basis.

  • I too cannot wait to see my own family’s photos! I know it can be hard to wait. I usually have a turn around time of 2-3 weeks. You'll receive your photos in a beautiful online gallery where you can mark your favorites, download your images, and conveniently purchase prints, and photo gifts.

  • Outdoor photos give us such gorgeous options here in New England! We plan to photograph around 1 hour before sunset because the light is ideal for gorgeous well lit portraits. Most of my outdoor work looks the way it does because of the time of day and position of the sun.

    As seasons change so does the sunset! Your booked time may have to be adjusted slightly for prime light, you'll get all that information in your email the week of your session.

ABOUT ME:

I think it is important to know a bit about the person you are inviting to interact with your family.

If we haven't met before, or it's been a while, hey! I'm Krista, enneagram 9w8, coffee aficionado and mama to Titus and Gideon. My husband, Tyler, kids and I live in Portsmouth, RI with Charlie our English Springer Spaniel. You can find us taking long walks to all kinds of parks, trying out new restaurants, grabbing takeout for a park picnic and popping into coffee shops all over town.

I’m obsessed with the connection in families, especially the connection between mothers and their children. (Don’t get me wrong, dads are amazing too!) Being a mama myself, I know that I don’t have as many beautiful images of me with my children as I take of my husband and the boys. My aim is to change that, to bring motherhood into the spotlight, all the beautiful, messy, raw edges of it and show how beautiful it is in every season. You will find me encouraging mothers to love on their children, big and small, and for families to snuggle and play.

I can’t wait to see you soon, and help document your beautiful family!

-Krista

Are we friends yet?!

It’s been a minute since I’ve posted here - we’ve entertained visitors, celebrated, soaked up time, and marveled at how fast babies turn into big kids. Long legs stretching past their jeans, sleeves all of a sudden too short. Boys
It’s been a minute since I’ve posted here - we’ve entertained visitors, celebrated, soaked up time, and marveled at how fast babies turn into big kids. Long legs stretching past their jeans, sleeves all of a sudden too short. Boys donning dinosaur helmets and speeding down sidewalks. Saying goodbye to our trusty double jogging stroller, and moving into the world with boys who can walk on their own. What season of life are you in right now? What do you want to remember about it? Tell me below! #motherhoodphotography #wearememorycatchers #newbornphotographerrotaspain #rotaspainphotographer
Merry Christmas from my family to yours! Thank you to everyone who trusted me to capture your family’s moments and your kiddo’s portraits this year. Big things are on the horizon for 2024 - stay tuned! In the meantime I’ll be soakin
Merry Christmas from my family to yours! Thank you to everyone who trusted me to capture your family’s moments and your kiddo’s portraits this year. Big things are on the horizon for 2024 - stay tuned! In the meantime I’ll be soaking up the lights of the Christmas tree, and snuggling in with my family for the end of Christmas break. Wishing you a warm and light filled end of 2023.
One of the main hesitations moms typically have about in home sessions revolves around their homes. Trust me when I say the least interesting thing about your family is the way your living room looks. The most interesting things are the way your baby
One of the main hesitations moms typically have about in home sessions revolves around their homes. Trust me when I say the least interesting thing about your family is the way your living room looks. The most interesting things are the way your baby fits into your arms this week, which is different from last week. The toothless grin of your second grader who can’t quite bite a cookie right now. These are the moments that are fleeting, and while our homes continually change as military families, they’re just a container for the incredible love story unfolding day by day. These are the moments I love to capture, especially for the mamas, those who are in the trenches of day to day mothering, sometimes with their partner and sometimes missing them. These seasons pass us buy so quickly, I would love to help you document them and give you something to look back on next year when they’re bigger, and have more teeth. #inhomefamilyphotography #wearememorycatchers #rotaspainphotographer
This season brings up so many feelings of nostalgia. I think back to having a newborn during the holidays, of sitting with him and nursing by the lights of the Christmas tree when we had just returned from Europe. Now we’re back in Spain and
This season brings up so many feelings of nostalgia. I think back to having a newborn during the holidays, of sitting with him and nursing by the lights of the Christmas tree when we had just returned from Europe. Now we’re back in Spain and he is playing with a marble tower by the lights of the Christmas tree. Nostalgia and memory is what I most love to capture with in home sessions. Focusing on your “right now” season, maybe it’s little kids curled up and snuggling, or climbing on shelves to play with trucks. Maybe it’s baking with your older children, cutting out cookie dough and baking those cookies like your mom did with you. In home sessions create so many opportunities to document your memories in any season! What is a holiday memory you want to think back on in 5 years? Tell me below! ♥️ #inhomephotographer #rotaspainphotographer #wearememorycatchers
My biggest baby turns 7 this week. 7 feels so grown, there’s so many things about his infancy that feel like a blur, and so many things that are solidly in my mind. Now I look at him and see all the kids he has been, every year he changes and b
My biggest baby turns 7 this week. 7 feels so grown, there’s so many things about his infancy that feel like a blur, and so many things that are solidly in my mind. Now I look at him and see all the kids he has been, every year he changes and becomes someone a little new and a little always the same. As I look back through all the photos I’ve taken of him, I treasure the most the ones that show exactly who he is - the way I held him as a little baby, the way I run my fingers through his hair, the way I still pick him up but now his legs wrap all the way around my waist. Are you someone who sits reminiscing before your kid’s birthdays? What do you want to remember about this stage? {These things matter, and these are the photos I love to take. The pictures of you and your babies as you hold them, no matter their age. Photos that will take you right back to that year, those moments, that baby. } #rotaspainphotographer #inhomefamilyphotographer #wearememorycatchers #newbornphotographerrotaspain
Did you know that kids who live in homes with pictures of themselves displayed have higher self esteem and confidence? It’s one of the reasons why do I do portrait pop ups! I believe that every kiddo deserves a photo they’re proud to see
Did you know that kids who live in homes with pictures of themselves displayed have higher self esteem and confidence? It’s one of the reasons why do I do portrait pop ups! I believe that every kiddo deserves a photo they’re proud to see hanging on the wall! A photo where they feel special and important, and like themselves!
One thing I love having families do during their session is love on their kids. Sometimes I’ll ask parents to tell their kiddo something that makes them really proud to be their mom or dad, or I’ll ask them to share with their child somet
One thing I love having families do during their session is love on their kids. Sometimes I’ll ask parents to tell their kiddo something that makes them really proud to be their mom or dad, or I’ll ask them to share with their child something they love about them. I love the expressions on the faces of the parents as well as the kids when they hear these positive words of affirmation! Shout out your kids in the comments! I want to cheer them on with you! . . . . #militaryfamilyphotographer #rotaspainphotographer
This morning I opened my phone and ‘memories’ decided to play dirty. It showed my boys just 2 years ago, jumping in a pile of straw. Their little rain boots got me. They were so small, with fireman boots and a bat hoodie with wings and ea
This morning I opened my phone and ‘memories’ decided to play dirty. It showed my boys just 2 years ago, jumping in a pile of straw. Their little rain boots got me. They were so small, with fireman boots and a bat hoodie with wings and ears. They’ve outgrown those boots and the bat sweatshirt has been passed down and is almost too small for the littlest. (@oldnavy bring back the bat hoodies!) Now we’re full swing into first grade, backpacks and spelling lists, deciding on home lunch or school lunch. My youngest is riding the bus to preschool and wearing his brother’s buzz lightyear sweatshirt. How does it go so fast? 2 years ago they were the same boys but oh so different. I’m so grateful for their little tiny years, but I’m also so excited for this stage of little big kids, and I want to remember it all. Have you too been a victim of photo memories lately? What photos spark a moment of remembering for you? . . . #rotaspainphotographer #inhomenewbornphotography #wearememorycatchers
Military moves. Those of you who have been through them know they can be a challenge. This move has possibly been one of the most challenging, not only in the move itself but in all the things that have put a delay, or forced me to slow down. Injury
Military moves. Those of you who have been through them know they can be a challenge. This move has possibly been one of the most challenging, not only in the move itself but in all the things that have put a delay, or forced me to slow down. Injury and illness have abounded these last couple of weeks, and they’ve also delayed the re opening of my photography business. I have high hopes that within the next couple of weeks I’ll have my base approval to start creating again and I’ll be able to walk on my injured ankle and begin documenting your incredible families too! I’m so ready, but trusting that there’s reasons for this slow down. ♥️ . . . #rotaspainphotographer #newbornphotographyrotaspain #familyphotographerrotaspain
Bye bye USA! We’ve landed in Rota and are in the process of getting all the documents and checked in to all the places. Finding and house, and making our home. It’s been a while since I’ve been present on these little squares, soaki
Bye bye USA! We’ve landed in Rota and are in the process of getting all the documents and checked in to all the places. Finding and house, and making our home. It’s been a while since I’ve been present on these little squares, soaking in all the goodness of family and visiting and enjoying. Stay tuned for the reopening of Krista Buresh Photography - the Spanish edition. For now enjoy these treats of Great Grandpa and Great Grandma and the boys on their farm. ♥️
Thank you Newport! Our time is short, the flights are booked, the plans made for our big move to Rota Spain 🇪🇸! Thank you to all the families who welcomed me and trusted me to capture their memories here in RI. It was a beautiful season of celebr
Thank you Newport! Our time is short, the flights are booked, the plans made for our big move to Rota Spain 🇪🇸! Thank you to all the families who welcomed me and trusted me to capture their memories here in RI. It was a beautiful season of celebrating with you, and walking with you through hard things too. ♥️ I’m forever grateful. If I photographed your family this year, would you leave me a review on Google? It means the world to me! Krista Buresh Photography https://maps.app.goo.gl/NaEoh8ykvVxbmBMK6?g_st=ic . . . . #familyphotography #theheartfulphotogs #militaryfamilyphotographer #rotaspainphotographer
What a fun surprise in my inbox today! A finalist for the “real life” category of @elenasblair_photography’s print competition. So honored to be included with an incredible group of artists. Swipe to see my real life photo->
What a fun surprise in my inbox today! A finalist for the “real life” category of @elenasblair_photography’s print competition. So honored to be included with an incredible group of artists. Swipe to see my real life photo->
I’ve been a little MIA in this space… wrapping up my last sessions here in RI, organizing and purging (anyone need some penny tile and random garage stuff?!), shipping my car (by Honda. Travel safe) and getting everyone ready to move to
I’ve been a little MIA in this space… wrapping up my last sessions here in RI, organizing and purging (anyone need some penny tile and random garage stuff?!), shipping my car (by Honda. Travel safe) and getting everyone ready to move to Spain. Any of my mil friends and families moving this summer too? Where are y’all headed?! . . . . #inhomemotherhoodphotography #motherhoodphotography #theheartfulphotogs #wearememorycatchers #militaryphotographer
I always want to remember looking down on their little blonde heads as they “work” together in the kitchen after a busy day. Their work feels like play and it has really inspired me to find some more play in my work as well. What does you
I always want to remember looking down on their little blonde heads as they “work” together in the kitchen after a busy day. Their work feels like play and it has really inspired me to find some more play in my work as well. What does your kitchen look like at 6pm on a Tuesday? How will you remember these days? . . . In home photography doesn’t have to look like a perfect insta worthy space. In home photography is more about remembering these everyday moments with your loved ones. I tend to have a hard time with my own clutter, but it’s all a part of our story in this home, at these ages, and all too soon it will change. . . We are a group of photographers who aspire to use storytelling devices with intention to shape and strengthen the meaning found in our images. Enjoy our stories by following #TellingStories2023 #tellingstories2023_perspective #tellingstories2023_kristabureshphotography . . . #inhomefamilyphotography #inhomephotographerrotaspain #familyphotosrotaspain #thefamilynarrative #theheartfulphotogs #wearememorycatchers
My whole world. Happy mom’s day! . . . . 📸: @cherylkphotography
My whole world. Happy mom’s day! . . . . 📸: @cherylkphotography
Now that you're a mother they say that you will change. And what a gift it is to never be the same. To take with you the old and rearrange the new. To hold a little hand that grows alongside you. You'll hope you don't forget, you'll try to rememb
Now that you're a mother they say that you will change. And what a gift it is to never be the same. To take with you the old and rearrange the new. To hold a little hand that grows alongside you. You'll hope you don't forget, you'll try to remember 'then'. You'll drift back to the 'good old days' seeing now, that this was them. - Jessica Urlichs Happy Mother's Day to all the mamas. The work you do is important and hard and holy. You are seen and you are so valuable! And to the women who are grieving this mother's day, those who have lost their mother, lost their child, or long to be a mother, you too are seen and loved. #inhomefamilyphotographer #theheartfulphotog #rotaspainphotographer #rotaspain #rotaphotographer #heartfulmagazine #rotafamilyphotography #rotafamilyphotographer #inhomenewbornphotography #theheartfulphotogs #militaryphotographer #familyphotographer #thefamilynarrative #boldemotionalcolorful
Its Friday! Our weekend plans are pretty chill after a busy busy week. But the highlight will be having our family photos taken by the incredible @cherylkphotography! Family photos are so important, and as we prepare for a big move overseas and all t
Its Friday! Our weekend plans are pretty chill after a busy busy week. But the highlight will be having our family photos taken by the incredible @cherylkphotography! Family photos are so important, and as we prepare for a big move overseas and all the military scheduling fun that comes with it, this year's photos feel that much more important. When was the last time you had your family photos taken? . . . #inhomefamilyphotographer #theheartfulphotog #rotaspain #rotaphotographer #rotaspainphotographer #heartfulmagazine #theheartfulphotogs #inhomenewbornphotography #rotafamilyphotography #rotafamilyphotographer
We just returned from vacation and whew! Getting back into the routines and schedules is rough. On all of us. We stayed up late watching fireworks at Magic Kingdom and now my kids bodies are operating on Disney time. Mama's body? Definitely not opera
We just returned from vacation and whew! Getting back into the routines and schedules is rough. On all of us. We stayed up late watching fireworks at Magic Kingdom and now my kids bodies are operating on Disney time. Mama's body? Definitely not operating on Disney time. Do you have a hard time re-adjusting after vacation? What helps you get back on track? . . . . #rotaspain #inhomefamilyphotographer #theheartfulphotog #theheartfulphotogs #inhomenewbornphotography #rotaphotographer
Soap on a door. Who knew it could be so fun? I’m currently learning more about intentional story telling from the incredibly talented @michellemckayphotographer and I’ll be sharing more personal work here during this course. I can&rsqu
Soap on a door. Who knew it could be so fun? I’m currently learning more about intentional story telling from the incredibly talented @michellemckayphotographer and I’ll be sharing more personal work here during this course. I can’t wait to see my personal and client work continue to grow. Check out the other talented photographers by following the hashtag below! We are a group of photographers who aspire to use storytelling devices with intention to shape and strengthen the meaning found in our images. Enjoy our stories by following #TellingStories2023 #TellingStories2023_framing #TellingStories2023_kristabureshphotography #theheartfulphotogs #wearememorycatchers #rotaspainphotographer #thefamilynarrative #inhomephotographer #newportriphotographer
The idea of home and space oxymoronic to me my house filled to the brim like a toy-filled sea I yearn for the space you suggest with such ease the notion of self care room to breathe But my grass is green a home full of noise who needs space wh
The idea of home and space oxymoronic to me my house filled to the brim like a toy-filled sea I yearn for the space you suggest with such ease the notion of self care room to breathe But my grass is green a home full of noise who needs space when I have the love of boys. - Rebekah Crilly @rebekahcrilly We are a group of photographers who aspire to use storytelling devices with intention to shape and strengthen the meaning found in our images. Enjoy our stories by following  #TellingStories2023 #TellingStories2023_gaze #TellingStories2023_kristabureshphotography #heartfulphotogs #inhomephotographer
It’s been a minute since I’ve posted here - we’ve entertained visitors, celebrated, soaked up time, and marveled at how fast babies turn into big kids. Long legs stretching past their jeans, sleeves all of a sudden too short. Boys Merry Christmas from my family to yours! Thank you to everyone who trusted me to capture your family’s moments and your kiddo’s portraits this year. Big things are on the horizon for 2024 - stay tuned! In the meantime I’ll be soakin One of the main hesitations moms typically have about in home sessions revolves around their homes. Trust me when I say the least interesting thing about your family is the way your living room looks. The most interesting things are the way your baby This season brings up so many feelings of nostalgia. I think back to having a newborn during the holidays, of sitting with him and nursing by the lights of the Christmas tree when we had just returned from Europe. Now we’re back in Spain and My biggest baby turns 7 this week. 7 feels so grown, there’s so many things about his infancy that feel like a blur, and so many things that are solidly in my mind. Now I look at him and see all the kids he has been, every year he changes and b Did you know that kids who live in homes with pictures of themselves displayed have higher self esteem and confidence? It’s one of the reasons why do I do portrait pop ups! I believe that every kiddo deserves a photo they’re proud to see One thing I love having families do during their session is love on their kids. Sometimes I’ll ask parents to tell their kiddo something that makes them really proud to be their mom or dad, or I’ll ask them to share with their child somet This morning I opened my phone and ‘memories’ decided to play dirty. It showed my boys just 2 years ago, jumping in a pile of straw. Their little rain boots got me. They were so small, with fireman boots and a bat hoodie with wings and ea Military moves. Those of you who have been through them know they can be a challenge. This move has possibly been one of the most challenging, not only in the move itself but in all the things that have put a delay, or forced me to slow down. Injury Bye bye USA! We’ve landed in Rota and are in the process of getting all the documents and checked in to all the places. Finding and house, and making our home. It’s been a while since I’ve been present on these little squares, soaki Thank you Newport! Our time is short, the flights are booked, the plans made for our big move to Rota Spain 🇪🇸! Thank you to all the families who welcomed me and trusted me to capture their memories here in RI. It was a beautiful season of celebr What a fun surprise in my inbox today! A finalist for the “real life” category of @elenasblair_photography’s print competition. So honored to be included with an incredible group of artists. Swipe to see my real life photo-> I’ve been a little MIA in this space… wrapping up my last sessions here in RI, organizing and purging (anyone need some penny tile and random garage stuff?!), shipping my car (by Honda. Travel safe) and getting everyone ready to move to I always want to remember looking down on their little blonde heads as they “work” together in the kitchen after a busy day. Their work feels like play and it has really inspired me to find some more play in my work as well. What does you My whole world. Happy mom’s day! . . . . 📸: @cherylkphotography Now that you're a mother they say that you will change. And what a gift it is to never be the same. To take with you the old and rearrange the new. To hold a little hand that grows alongside you. You'll hope you don't forget, you'll try to rememb Its Friday! Our weekend plans are pretty chill after a busy busy week. But the highlight will be having our family photos taken by the incredible @cherylkphotography! Family photos are so important, and as we prepare for a big move overseas and all t We just returned from vacation and whew! Getting back into the routines and schedules is rough. On all of us. We stayed up late watching fireworks at Magic Kingdom and now my kids bodies are operating on Disney time. Mama's body? Definitely not opera Soap on a door. Who knew it could be so fun? I’m currently learning more about intentional story telling from the incredibly talented @michellemckayphotographer and I’ll be sharing more personal work here during this course. I can&rsqu The idea of home and space oxymoronic to me my house filled to the brim like a toy-filled sea I yearn for the space you suggest with such ease the notion of self care room to breathe But my grass is green a home full of noise who needs space wh