First-Time-Ever Family Photoshoot at Nose Hill Park • Calgary & Airdrie Family Photographer
Hocus Focus Photography is proud to serve the Calgary Area, capturing the beautiful families who make up this beautiful city and its surrounding areas.
Here's a fun tidbit: kicking off a blog can be the trickiest part. It's not that I don't have plenty to share—it's just figuring out where to begin! So, let's start right here and dive in together.
Today, I’m excited to share a beautiful family session with you. This thoughtful gift was from a daughter to her parents, who 1) had never had professional photos taken before and 2) were celebrating their anniversary! It was a wonderful idea to bring the family together for an evening filled with laughter, fun, and heartfelt moments for their first-ever professional family portraits.
Family sessions are much more than just sitting still and smiling for the camera. I love capturing genuine interactions and authentic moments throughout the session. Whether it's through telling jokes or sharing stories, bringing out those feel-good emotions is what truly brings the family together. This makes the experience enjoyable and the photos feel perfectly authentic.
I understand that not everyone looks forward to family sessions. However, I often hear, "That wasn't so bad," at the end of the shoot, along with comments on how much fun it was and how it didn’t feel like a typical photoshoot at all. I call that a win!
One of the most magical parts of any photo experience is that "wow" moment when you see your images for the first time. It's like an out-of-body experience, seeing yourself through someone else's eyes, beautifully highlighting the wonderful life you have and the loved ones around you. Because, let's be honest, the camera captures what it sees.
Yes, we live in an age of photo editing, AI, and other technological advances that can "enhance" your photos. But the essence of the image lies in you, your family, and the moment. None of that exists without you being there.
Speaking of photo editing and AI, I use these tools to fix small distractions or subtly enhance your photographs. However, I don't use them to change how you look or fabricate moments that never happened. That's digital art, and while I appreciate it as its own category, my world is photography. Here, we're all about authenticity and genuine moments.
Nothing beats the warm glow of the sun on your skin, the adorable dimple in your cheek when you smile, or the way your dog's tongue hangs sideways out of their mouth. And let’s not forget the laughter during those corny "group hug" photos.
It's beautifully you! That’s what I loved so much about this session. Even though it was their first photoshoot ever, we had such a wonderful time. We enjoyed the warmth of the sun on our faces and the sounds of birds and insects in the tall grass.
We wandered the hills, seized different opportunities for photos, and captured so many lovely moments together.
It takes a lot of trust to meet a stranger at a park to capture the essence of your family through photography. When I hear those exclamations of joy as my clients first see their gallery, I feel an immense rush of gratitude and happiness.
Thank you to this wonderful family for supporting my business and loving my work. Trust is part of the process, and if you love my work, I’m confident you’ll love your photos. My heart is full, and I can feel that familiar ache in my cheeks from smiling too much—a sensation I often experience in this line of work!
Thank you for stopping by the blog today. Remember, it’s never too late to book a family photo shoot, especially if you’ve never had one. Better late than never!
Let's Book Your Family Photos!
At Hocus Focus Photography, Amanda Yskes specializes in capturing the genuine essence of your family through warm and engaging photo sessions. Whether it's the warm glow of the sun on your skin, the laughter during those corny "group hug" photos, or the joy of seeing your gallery for the first time, Amanda's goal is to make every moment feel authentic and full of life. Trust is at the heart of the process, and if you love her work, you’re sure to love your photos.
Don’t wait to create lasting memories—book your family photoshoot today and experience the magic of capturing your family’s unique story with Amanda Yskes at Hocus Focus Photography.