The Real Magic of Family Photos (Featuring: Shrinking Feet and Sleeves That Aren't Sleeving)

Let me be honest with you for a second.

Before every single session, I am a mom first and a photographer second. And being a mom means that getting out the door for pictures is never, ever as simple as it looks in the final gallery.

This session with my girls was no exception.

We had shoes that suddenly stopped fitting. ("Mom, I think my feet shrunk. My shoes are too loose.") We had wardrobe malfunctions that I'm not entirely sure were malfunctions. ("Mom, my sleeves aren't sleeving.") And when I asked my youngest if I could do her hair for pictures - just a simple question, totally reasonable - her answer was a flat, no-hesitation, zero-room-for-negotiation: "No."

So. That's where we started.

But here's the thing about family portraits: the magic isn't in the perfectly coordinated outfits or the hair that behaved. It's in the chaos right before, and the love that shows up anyway. It's in three sisters in the grass, laughing at something only they understand. It's in the golden hour light that doesn't care whether your sleeves were sleeving correctly. It's in a toddler who said no to a hairstyle and yes to everything else.

These images are real. They're my girls. And even on the most chaotic getting-ready days, they show up and they are magic.

If you've been putting off booking a session because you're worried your kids won't cooperate, or the outfits won't match, or someone will melt down - I get it. I live it. Book the session anyway. The real moments are always worth it.

Racquel Cowen Photography | Elk Grove, CA | Serving the greater Sacramento area racquelcowenphotography.com