Treasured moments: Fresh perspective on family photos

No posers here! Tips for documenting a wonderful life.

Within a family, our tenderest moments with our children happen quite naturally; While laying on the floor playing a game, building blocks, or reading books, our little one’s feet entwine with ours, or a hand gently falls around a waist. When we walk upstairs, we take our child by the hand to keep her steady as she makes the climb… these everyday moments are ripe with beauty and make the most memorable family photos.

Southern California-based family photographer Kristianne Koch Riddle is an expert at capturing moments of joy, togetherness and familial ties in warm, well-composed images. A San Clemente native and mother to two young children, Koch’s photography background stems from fine art. “I graduated BFA in Fine Art Photography but then worked commercially after college for 10 years,” she says. “I take the best of both worlds and merge them in my work. I love process, spontaneity and happenstance which is indicative of fine art but I back it up with the technical control, planning and presentation that dominate commercial photography.”

Families gathering for reunions and picnics this summer have an excellent opportunity to create lasting memories; Beyond gathering everyone together for a posed family photo, Koch offers the following advice for snapping fleeting nostalgic moments between family members young and old who may not see each other as often as they’d like:

• Take your camera away from the central action. Relatives who have traveled a long way will marvel at the napping baby or quiet chat between two cousins. 
• Get in close. Hands, feet and tummies make fun focal points for young and old alike.
• You don't always have to photograph everyone's face; It's okay to crop off heads to emphasize the laughter of the kids at torso level.
• Set your camera at wide angle and move yourself to fill the frame--or not! Allow lots of "negative space" to frame your subject.
• Don't just photograph people to remember the event. Capture the mood of the day or evening by photographing arranged items on the picnic table, scenic shots of the event's location, or toys scattered about the yard.

Of course, you can also opt to simply relax and enjoy the day, and let a photographer take care of capturing the memories. Often, an artful, subjective eye is better able to document an event. The photographer is removed from the family dynamic and is therefore able to engage within the group, finding magical scenes while everyone is swept up in the fun. “I love to shoot candidly and will spend hours or a day following your child or family around as you live your life, says Kristianne. “This way I can uncover unstaged, whimsical images full of honest expression that you will treasure forever.” And, to the relief of your tweens and teens, she assures, “I will never ask you to wear matching outfits!” 

Book a session with Kristianne Koch Photography:

On Location - $300
Families, children & babies-an artistic story-telling session. Two hour portrait session at your home or the location of your choice.
Private online gallery of 50-60 proofs from your session. $75 print credit for orders placed within 2 weeks of proofs going online. Session fee is for up to four people. Each additional person is $25.

Family gathering/reunion/party session $500
Kristianne will spend up to 4 hours photographing your family gathering. The session fee includes capturing as many people enjoying themselves at the gathering as possible as well as details of the decor and activities. “Capturing the gathering of family who have come together for a reunion or special event is just as special as a wedding reception,” shares Koch Riddle.

Half Day In The Life Session  $1400
Wake up session or afternoon session with your family. Kristianne will document all those fleeting moments in your family's morning or afternoon time for you to remember forever. The session fee includes a high-end photographic coffee table book with up to 75 images inside that tell the story of your family.

Day In The Life Session  $2400
From dawn till dusk, Kristianne will document all those fleeting moments in your family's day that tomorrow you could so easily forget. “Just like photographing a wedding day, capturing a day in the life of a family is just as special, if not more so,” she reflects. The session fee includes a high-end photographic coffee table book with up to 125 images inside that tell the story of your family.