Oh hey! I am Emme, a Donnybrook based family & couples photographer servicing the southwest. I am also a toddler mama, a wife, a Tay-Tay fan & someone who loves to write but who can never think of a good first sentence! So we can just jump straight in?? Wicked, let’s chat! Are you ready to see some of my FAV family photos ever?!

This is Sammy, Cooper & their beautiful daughter, Peyton! Sam and I actually go way back, she has been one my besties since I was 19. Fast forward to now and our babes are just one month apart! Isn’t life just so dang sweet sometimes??

I started out this little here biz determined to photograph weddings and weddings only! I had always seen photographers at weddings and DREAMED of being that cool & successful one day!

But here’s a little inside scoop for you – *whispers* I actually love chilled out family and couples sessions too. I maybe even love them a little bit more!

I’m not gonna lie to you. Initially, realising that made me feel kinda like I had failed. Because truly I had built weddings up in my head to equal success and coolness and I think even happiness.

But honestly, the more of these kind of laid back, intimate, storytelling sessions I do, the more I fall in love with them!

This family session for example gives me the BIGGEST HEART EYES every time I look back at it!

So let’s chat a little bit about how this session looked and why I LOVED it so friggin’ much!

I travelled out to Sam’s gorgeous little country home in Roelands about 90 minutes before sunset, and had the true honour of capturing these precious family moments. We decided on an in-home session for a bunch of reasons! Firstly, if you have ever had a toddler, y’all know how annoying leaving the house can be (especially in the evening)!

But the second reason had more to do with me. I have wanted to experiment with an in-home session for a little while before this because a) I LOVE storytelling! And b) I had a theory that being at home, and in a space where they were most comfortable, would do SO much for capturing those moments of love and connection and intimacy that can create the most meaningful and magical images.

And boy oh boy was I right! This session was a little while ago and still I think it is some of my favourite work to date! I mean look at these!

My goal on any session is always to make my clients as comfortable as possible because awkward people make for awkward photos (which no one wants)! The best way to get magical photos that you can truly feel is to create a space where people feel safe and comfortable enough to be themselves, and to show their loved ones affection.

With all the little kisses on cheeks, big toddler giggles, moments of genuine joy and connection, and love-filled touches, these photos tell a story. A story of a family that loves each other, a one year old who is so genuinely adored by her parents, a mum and dad who were blessed with a little girl because they love each other. This is the story of a family home filled with joy and unconditional love and effortless connection and giggles.

There are so many different seasons in life. Capturing family photos is officially a new passion project of mine through which I can freeze these precious moments in time so that once they have flown by (and they will!), you still have these small moments to look back at and to hold on to.

Something else I love love loooooved about this session was how it fuelled my creativity. Because we were in their home, everyone was relaxed. There were no major time constraints. If Peyton needed a minute away from the camera to feel her big toddler feelings, she was able to do that in her own familiar space. And there were so many different little corners and angles to explore that created such a beautiful variety throughout their gallery.

In the last few months I have definitely realised that I just light up creatively when I can take my time to really just observe a couple or family loving on each other and being themselves. In my opinion, being a good photographer is really just about being a good third wheel! And taking these family photos for Sam and her precious people was one of my favourite third wheel moments!

Listening, observing, asking the occasional question & encouraging everyone to just be themselves and forget about the camera was a true joy for me on this gorgeous day. Not to mention the opportunity to love on little P who I can’t wait to watch grow up!

So what do y’all think? Does an in-home session sound like something you would love?

Let me know in the comments or hop on over to IG and chat to me @emmejaephotography.

Or if you love these photos and you want some magical family moments of your own captured? Jump on over to the Contact Me page on my website and fill out my enquiry form! I’d love to get to know you and tell your family’s story!

If you read this far, thankyou so dang much! Your support is always appreciated and never goes unnoticed! You being here means the world to me, friend!

Until next time
Emme x