Studio Journal:


Fatherhood with the Santos Family


This year, I felt inspired to reimagine the traditional Father’s Day session—something more styled, more intentional, more me. When I say “styled,” I don’t just mean picking cute outfits. I mean being fully involved from start to finish: coordinating wardrobe, selecting the perfect location, creating a mood board, and thoughtfully mapping out the gallery from beginning to end.


My models for this session were the Santos family, a beautiful family of four. I knew from the start I wanted this session to be in-studio. The Lumen Room has always been one of my favorite spaces to shoot in, and with their new lifestyle studio now available, it felt like the perfect fit for the vibe I envisioned.

 

A child in a floral dress sits playfully on a wooden chair against a gray wall.
A heartwarming family moment captured against a minimalist gray wall background.
A family of four shares a tender moment while sitting together on a hardwood floor.
A family relaxes together on a plush green velvet sofa in a bright white room with wainscoting.

When it came to styling, I wanted something that felt seasonal but not overdone. That’s where my “Sunflower” palette came in—tones of yellow, green, and brown/tan. It brought just the right amount of summer warmth without being too literal. I’m obsessed with a well-executed wardrobe color scheme, and let me just say—the Santos family understood the assignment.


As always, I created a detailed mood board of poses in advance. I like to plan a flow that includes close-ups, family groupings, and individual shots. I always bring a little “cheat sheet” with me to the studio, but I also make space for those free, candid moments that bring so much life to a gallery.

A collection of black and white family photography portraits displayed in a Pinterest-style grid layout.

The day of the shoot ended up being a bit gloomy (hello, natural light struggles lol), but even with the soft low light, I’m in love with how everything came together. The wardrobe, the energy, the textures—it all worked.


Lately, I’ve been falling more and more in love with editorial-style photography. I’ve been challenging myself to evolve creatively, and sessions like this one remind me why I do what I do. There’s something about seeing your vision come to life in every detail—from palette to pose—that never stops feeling magical.

A casual family portrait on a green velvet sofa with white paneled walls in the background.
A family poses together in a minimalist setting with concrete walls and wooden furniture.
A joyful moment captured between two people showing excited expressions against a concrete wall.
A casual portrait of two people posing with crossed arms against a minimalist gray backdrop.
An intimate family portrait session with soft lighting against a gray wall background.
A tender moment between two people by a wooden chair in a minimalist setting.