Knoxville Family Photographer
For the mama who never wants to forget to treasure these little years
Have you ever caught yourself in a moment with your kids and thought to yourself, “I am going to miss this so much”?
As a mom, I find that when I try to recreate a sweet moment for a selfie, it feels more like wrestling a squirming puppy than a real snuggle with your child.
During your session, you enter a space designed and guided for your family where you can relax, play, and simply enjoy each other while those moments are intentionally captured for you by your Knoxville family photographer.
Meet your family photographer in the Knoxville area
Hi, I'm Susannah!
Married to my mountain-loving husband, two amazing little boys, and our much-loved-already baby girl on the way. I'm also a lifestyle family photographer based here in beautiful Maryville.
I love getting to meet all the amazing families in the area and create family photos that feel like artful memories for your home.
I've worked with kids for many years before having my own, I promise - Your little one not wanting to sit still is totally normal and expected! I gladly incorporate that energy into your photos instead of trying to stifle their personality.
We'll keep things "chill" (as my four-year-old has been saying lately) and I'll make sure to give you guidance and reassurance the whole time so you aren't left wondering what to do. I can't wait to meet your family!
My Approach
I'm not one who will try to make your children sit still and smile the whole time (when do they ever truly sit still like a Victorian photograph anyway?)
The best family photos come from the fun and playful moments where your family is simply enjoying being together!
I’m here for the energy and unpredictability of young children, I'll work within it, adapting to what your family needs in the moment.
An experience shaped around your family
each session designed specifically for your family
When you book your session, you'll receive a welcome email from me, and you'll be able to fill out your family's questionnaire.
This is so fun for me to picture who you are, your personalities, and it guides the types of posing and prompts that I give to really draw out your child's personality.
I always help guide choosing the best location for your session based on the season and available light, and I help with styling too so that is taken off your plate.
Intentional posing that feels candid
no wondering what to do
I'll guide you the whole time with playful games so that candid moments and interactions flow naturally throughout the session.
What's Next?
1.Book your session
You can choose your session date from my availability calendar, sign the contract, and pay your retainer all at one time without extra back and forth. (Unless you want to chat first, which I love too!)
2.Plan the session
This is where you get to complete the questionnaire, I'll send you a welcome guide, and then help guide you through location selection and choosing outfits for your session.
3.Picture time
I finally get to meet your sweet family! We'll create some beautiful memories, and take our time so the kids can actually relax and let their personalities shine through as they have fun.
4.Delivering photos
You get to open your gallery and look through the photos of your beautiful family together. A print store is integrated in your gallery so that you can easily order the photos you love best to display in your home.
"...We are not the most comfortable in front of a camera, but Susannah helped us feel comfortable....."
"Susannah is a wonderful photographer! We are not the most comfortable in front of a camera, but Susannah helped us feel comfortable. The photos she took are so beautiful definitely going back to her for family photos in the future."
Zan, Maternity + Newborn Client
"I could not have made a better choice than Susannah."
"As a photographer, I was EXTREMELY picky over who to book for my personal family photos. I wanted someone who would do my family justice, and had beautiful colors, composition, and consistency across the entire gallery. I could not have made a better choice than Susannah. From start to finish, she made the process easy, and the styling she offered was easy, and created swoon worth images. She was so kind and was able to wrangle my wild 4 year old boy, and delivered the gallery of images very quickly. Even my husband said it was worth every penny. Thank you Susannah!!"
Mary, Family Client
"My kids left saying they had so much fun!”
"To say that Susannah is excellent would be an understatement! We met Susannah in the evening and she arrived with waters and snacks for our whole family. She made the whole process effortless and enjoyable. My kids left saying they had so much fun! The whole experience was really wonderful. Then we got the pictures! I truly could not be happier. We will treasure these photos of our family forever!"
Beth, Family Client
Which season are you documenting right now?
I have a gift for you...
A free family styling guide
I created a guide ALL about styling so that you can confidently choose outfits for YOUR family!
Say goodbye to the stress of figuring out what to wear for your family photos! This guide gives you color palettes, outfit suggestions for everyone in the family, and real examples to make your session look cohesive, timeless, and full of personality.
This is my first photoshoot, what should I know?
Ahhh! I am SO excited for you to have photos of your family during this season. Putting yourself in front of the camera can be a really vulnerable thing, so I am honored that you are even considering me as your photographer by being on my page. I've written a couple of different blog posts that speak to this exact question so I would start with this one: 5 Things I Wish Every Mom Knew Before Her Family Photo Session or this one: How to Feel Natural In Front of the Camera
How long have you been a photographer?
I've been behind the camera for over since 2012, but officially launched my photography business in early 2022 after the birth of my firstborn son.
I absolutely love working with families and aim to give you the kind of experience I treasure when I'm in front of the camera with my own kids: relaxed, expertly directed, and full of connection.
With 15+ years of experience working with young children, I’m especially tuned in to little personalities and big feelings. I genuinely enjoy getting to know your kids, meeting them where they are, and helping create images that feel natural, joyful, and true to your family.
Can you recommend any good locations?
I scout out all my locations ahead of time and have an ever growing list of recommendations to pull from, curated to the season, session type, and your family's personalities and preferences! One of my favorite Knoxville photo locations is The Holmstead Studio, and I have a private meadow with mountain views that I love in Maryville, as well as some amazing flower fields in Friendsville and Greenback.
What if the weather is bad on the day of an outdoor shoot?
Outdoor sessions are dependent on the weather If the weather doesn’t cooperate, we’ll reschedule to the next available date that works for both of us. I always keep an eye on the forecast and will be in touch if we need to adjust plans.
Light is a key piece to creating beautiful imagery, so I am always keeping an eye on this for you both for in home and outdoor sessions and we can always reschedule to make sure we get the best light if the weather is looking too cloudy/rainy.
What is the client closet, and how does it work?
My client closet is a curated collection of beautiful, high-quality dresses for moms that photograph beautifully and complement my signature style, as well as a growing collection of outfits for kids also. You'll have access to flattering options in tones that create a cohesive look for your session.
Once you book, I’ll help you choose the perfect dress and help coordinate outfits for the rest of the family to keep the whole process seamless and convenient.
What if my toddler is upset during photos?
I’ve worked with young kids for over 15 years, and I’ve seen every kind of toddler mood: shy, wild, giggly, grumpy, full-blown meltdown… it’s all part of the job!
Before your session, I’ll send tips to help you prepare and set your family up for success.
My sessions are very child-led, I’ll meet your child exactly where they are. I’ll gently pivot, give them space, change my angle, or shift gears with a game or activity. I'm flexible in my session flow and focused on connection over perfection. Some of the sweetest images come after the big feelings pass, and I am here for all of it!