My husband and I hate having our photo taken. Will this be a problem?

Most of my clients say exactly this before their session, especially the husbands. After 23 years I've worked out how to get even the most reluctant dads relaxed and actually enjoying themselves. Sessions run under an hour, I keep things moving and nobody has to stand around looking awkward. Mums who feel self-conscious about how they look since having kids, I hear you too. It's my job to make you look good, and I take that seriously.

What kind of sessions do you photograph?

I specialise in family portraits from maternity and newborns through to teenagers and extended family groups. Dogs are genuinely welcome, not an afterthought. I photograph families exactly as they are, real moments, real expressions, no stiff posing.

My family is super busy and it's hard to find the time. Can you help?

Sessions run Tuesday to Friday between 9am and 5pm. I have an online calendar where you can see all available times and book directly, so coordinating around school, work and sport is straightforward.

What if my kids won't sit still?

I don't expect them to. My style is built around kids moving, playing and being themselves. I've photographed thousands of toddlers, teenagers and everything in between. The chaos usually makes for the best photos.

What if my kids are shy?

I take my time. I'll spend the first few minutes just talking to them, getting them comfortable before I pick up a camera. Shy kids almost always come around, and when they do the photos are worth the wait.

What do we wear to our family portrait session?

When you book I'll send you a detailed guide on how to put outfits together for your whole family. It covers colours, what to avoid and how to make everyone look cohesive without being matchy-matchy.

How long will the session take?

Allow about an hour. Please arrive on time as sessions run back to back. The studio is at 768 Pacific Highway Gordon, there's council parking in Moree Street and under the Gordon Centre.

What will I spend on a family portrait session?

Most families invest between $500 and $3,000. After your session I'll show you your images on a large screen and help you choose your favourites. There's no minimum spend and payment plans are available at no extra cost from $200 per month. You'll receive full pricing information before your session so there are no surprises.

Can I change my session date?

Yes. If something unexpected comes up, you can reschedule once at no charge.

Where is the studio located?

The studio is at 768 Pacific Highway, Gordon NSW 2072, on Sydney's North Shore. Council parking is available in Moree Street, under the Gordon Centre and next to Gordon train station.

How do I book a family portrait session?

Use the online calendar to choose a date that suits your family. Weekends book out two to three weeks in advance so I'd recommend locking in a date sooner rather than later.

What makes über photography different from other photographers?

I've been photographing families on Sydney's North Shore for 23 years. My studio at Gordon is 175 square metres with three huge arch windows and feels like a beautiful home, not a clinical white box. I photograph families as they actually are, messy, loud, dogs included. No stiff posing, no forced smiles. And unlike most studios, if you come on a weekday your ordering session happens the same day, so you're not waiting weeks to see your photos.

Do you photograph dogs?

Yes, and I mean it. Dogs are photographed as part of the family, not tolerated as an add-on. The studio is fully pet friendly and I'm used to wrangling animals as much as kids. Bring them.

Do you photograph newborns?

Yes. Newborn sessions are available on weekdays only to allow extra time for feeding and settling. I'll send you everything you need to know when you book.

Family Photos With Your Dog | North Shore Sydney — Family and Newborn Photographer Sydney North Shore

Your dog is part of the family. So why is the dog never in the family photos?

I hear this all the time. The kids have had their school portraits, there might be a nice shot on the wall from a holiday, but the dog who sleeps on the end of the bed and greets everyone at the door is nowhere to be seen. For a lot of the families I photograph, that feels wrong. If the dog is family, the dog belongs in the photo.

I've been including dogs in sessions for 23 years. It isn't an add-on or a novelty. It's one of my favourite parts of the job. So if you've been putting off family photos because you aren't sure how the dog will cope, let me talk you through it.

Will my dog behave?

This is the question I get more than any other. The honest answer is that dogs don't need to behave. They need to be themselves. I'm not after a stiff, sitting-to-attention shot where everyone including the dog is frozen. I'm after the real thing. The dog leaning into your youngest. The dog looking up at you. The dog doing a lap of the studio because there's a new smell to investigate.

My studio is a big 175sqm space with room for a dog to move. Dogs are allowed to sniff around, settle in and get comfortable before we start. When a dog feels relaxed, the photos look relaxed. That's the whole trick.

Family of four laughing on a bed while cuddling their beagle in a bright North Shore Sydney studio session

A few simple things that help

A few small things just make the session run smoother. Take your dog for a walk beforehand so they burn off some energy.

If your dog gets groomed, book it in for the week before rather than the day before, so their coat has a little time to grow back.

And bring some treats along. I actually prefer to work without them, because dogs can get a bit fixated on the treats, but they're there as a backup if things aren't going to plan.

You don't need to train your dog for anything beforehand. I'll just work around them, help them feel comfortable and gently guide them into the shots.

And if your dog gets nervous, let me know before the session. I've worked with anxious dogs and senior dogs and everything in between, so I'm comfortable with whatever the day brings.

Mum and dad with a dachshund between them in a warm natural light studio portrait

Why it matters more than you think

Here's the part people don't always say out loud. Dogs don't live as long as we want them to. The family photo with the dog in it becomes one of the photos you'd never part with, because one day that dog won't be there and you'll be so glad you have it.

I photograph a lot of families who come back years later, and the sessions with the old dog in them are the ones they talk about most. That's not something you can redo. This is the dog you have right now, at this age, with these kids at these ages. That combination exists once.

Smiling family of four sitting on a bed in a bright studio while mum holds their apricot cavoodle

‍What the photos actually look like‍ ‍

Warm. Natural. A bit chaotic in the best way. Your dog isn't squeezed into the corner of one shot at the end. Your dog is in the family portrait, on laps, in the middle of the cuddle pile, wherever they naturally end up. Because that's where they are in real life.

If you'd rather be outdoors, I do outdoor sessions too, which some dogs love because there's more room to run. You can see how those work on my outdoor sessions page.

Ready to get your dog in the picture?

‍If you have a dog who is family and a wall that is missing them, let's sort it out. I'll handle the chaos. You just show up with the family, the dog and the treats.‍ ‍

Book your session here or get in touch if you have questions about bringing your dog along. I'm always happy to talk it through.

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Kate x