saint cloud, Minnesota luxury lifestyle family photographer
Lifestyle Family Photographer
Families that book with me are not just looking for a perfect picture of everyone looking at the camera. They want photos that capture their love and laughter in a natural and relaxed way.
My heart aches with pride and bittersweet joy as I watch my two-year-old learn to talk, his face so full of expression as he exclaims about how he lined up his trucks in the dirt, his curls sweaty with summer... I want to bottle a little bit of him up again so I never have to lose who he is right now!
"WE love the natural candid look but are really awkward in front of the camera...do you tell us what to do?"
I intentionally guide and direct your family throughout the session in a playful and strategic manner by incorporating little games and prompts to keep things engaging and fun.
I'll coach you through it, you'll find that as you allow yourself to embrace what is happening and enter into the moment with your kids, everyone starts to have so much fun. This is when my favorite moments happen - those photos that make you melt inside, thinking, "Aww, that's me and my babies!" Or, "Gosh, I love that man."
I set aside a full hour for your family's session. This allows us the time and space to play, take a snack break, and explore hand in hand with your loved ones. Without feeling rushed or pressured, everyone's true personalities can shine through creating genuine memories you'll cherish forever.
"We’ve had bad experiences in the past with family pictures, Susannah listened to our concerns and made sure we felt heard! We just received our sneak peak of the session from last night and are in love with every one! We cannot wait to see the rest of the gallery. She was wonderful and kind to our babies as well as engaging in the session giving us prompts and helping us to pose. We will definitely be using her services for future family photos!"
Courtney C.
The Susannah Raye Photography Experience
Personalized Planning Assistance
• Welcome Guide • Client Closet • Questionnaire • Styling •
After booking your outdoor family photography session, I'll send a questionnaire to get to know your family better. This helps me to tailor prompts and poses (and even location suggestions) to fit your personality!
To keep you informed without overwhelming you, I'll send helpful emails leading up to your session. You'll also have access to my client closet (for mom), and receive help in styling everyone's outfits.
Capture Heartfelt and Joyful Family Moments
During our time together, I'll guide your family with playful and sweet prompts and games to keep everyone engaged and relaxed. Let go of expectations and embrace whatever happens. We'll capture the little moments of what life looks like right now, the missing tooth, the boisterous laughter, the way she only wanted to snuggle into your shoulder... These are the memories you'll want to keep bottled up to remember forever.
Display Your Memories:
Online Gallery, Canvas, and Prints
You will receive your easy to use online photo gallery within 2-4 weeks of your session.
You've taken the step of investing in family pictures, don't let those precious memories get lost in a sea of photos in your phone's gallery and never seen by anyone!
Included in your package is an 11"x14" high-quality canvas from my trusted professional print lab, which I'll order for you and have shipped directly to your home. So, once you've reviewed your gallery and selected your favorites, let me know which one you'd like printed as your complimentary canvas!
Additionally, you'll receive a $100 print credit to use in the professional photo lab store linked to your gallery. This credit can be applied towards prints, albums, cards, and other photo products
Let me coach you and your family through the process to help you relax together
During your family's session, I will encourage you to lean into physical touch to create connection and give you suggestions for ways to do this.
Connection is a huge piece of what makes for an incredible and natural family picture experience, and it is what I believe gives purpose and meaning to photographs!
Always be touching someone. Hold someone's hand, play with your little one's curls, rub your child's back, trace your husband's jawline, etc.,
Let your kids explore and have fun during the session (better yet, join them!)
Most of my favorite outdoor photo shoot locations are within about 30 miles of Saint Cloud, MN. I keep your kids engaged with little prompts and games, I don't force them too look at the camera and "cheese" (because when is that ever a really accurate depiction of their personality?)
Imagine this, your little girl is running around trying to catch a butterfly, instead of immediately trying to make her stand still and smile, try crouching down with her and enter into her world, or hold her hand and let her bring you along to catch the butterfly.
It tells a powerful story, keeps your child happy and engaged, and creates incredible photo opportunities.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I book a family photography session with you?
Booking is easy! Just reach out via my contact form if you're ready to book, or you can also check out my investment page.
How long does a typical family session last?
In my experience, a rushed photo session is stressful and makes it harder to really capture genuine moments. That’s why I dedicate a full hour to every family session. My approach is very personal and relaxed. I take the time to get to know you as we walk to the session location, engage with your kids, and ensure everyone feels comfortable and at ease.
While we may not always need the full hour (I know toddlers sometimes have a 30-minute limit), having this time blocked off for your session allows you to breath easy, knowing that I am not in a rush to end your session.
This way, you can truly savor those sweet, intimate moments that make your family’s story unique, and it ensures we have plenty of time and sunlight to capture your family’s love and connection.
Do you help us choose a location for our photoshoot?
When I first moved to Minnesota as a young bride, I was overwhelmed by how many possible parks and trails there were - and I didn't know which ones were good! As I started exploring, I have been collecting a growing list of beautiful locations that I have scouted out ahead of time to select from for your session. My favorite locations display the gorgeous central Minnesota scenery with rolling hills, grassy fields, and wildflowers. I have wooded locations, lakeside locations, and even some more urban settings.
As we plan your session together and I get to know your family, I can help guide you to an option that will be the perfect backdrop to help tell your family's story!
Many of my locations are within 30 miles of Saint Cloud, but if you are up for even more of an adventure, there are some incredible spots as near as an hour from Saint Cloud.
What is the print credit for?
When you receive your online gallery, if you're like me, you obsess over them, save them to your phone, and update your profile picture on Facebook... But then what? Too many of us get busy with life and never get around to ordering the prints or making that photo album we wanted, and the photos we invested in get lost in the archives of our phone's many photos.
I want to make sure that you don't miss out on one of the most important parts of your session - Honoring your investment and displaying those beautiful memories around your home! I have photos all around my home - They bring me so much joy and remind me of the love I have for my little family. They mean the world to me! I would rarely see them anymore if I didn't have them printed and displayed in my home.
This is why I have included a print credit with every package that I offer - It is my gift to you! You'll receive a coupon code for that amount to use in your gallery's integrated print store with the professional lab I work with.
You can choose from a number of beautiful and high quality products and a wide variety of print sizes so that your memories are able to be gifted to grandparents and lovingly displayed around your home.
What should we wear for outdoor family pictures?
As we plan your session, I will send you a guide that offers some specific guidance on colors and textures that are recommended for your family's photos, but I also help provide specific suggestions to help coordinate your entire family as well.
I love long flowy dresses, they are so flattering for mom and they add a poetic vibe to your photos. Flowy dusters, and pretty textured lace tops are also high on my list of favorites!
I have a growing collection of beautiful dresses in my client closet that mom can choose from, and I can help you style the rest of your family around your dress of choice.
How does the client closet work?
I started my business because I wanted to create beautiful memories for fellow moms. Part of that is that I want mom to feel as beautiful as her husband and children know that she is! I have been steadily building a collection of gorgeous flowy dresses that are flattering, often flexible in sizing, and photograph stunningly.
When working with me, you get access to my client closet - You can choose your favorite and I'll help you style the rest of your family around your dress.
I'll bring the dress and my pop-up changing tent (if needed) to your photo session and you can change into it on-site. (I can bring a backup dress as well in case you don't like the original one that you chose!)
What if I don't see anything in the client closet that I want to wear?
If you don't see a dress that fits your vision, I would love to help you find the perfect dress! Just reach out and we can chat about your vision and specific desires and I can help you look. I am often browsing websites looking for beautiful options, so I might have ideas just from your description. I can send you the links for what I find so that you can purchase your dress without having to do all the browsing yourself.
How long does it take to receive the final edited photos?
I know you are excited to see your photos! I love getting to open up your photos on my computer after a session. Seeing families happy together and snuggled up just melts me! I'll get a sneak peek sent to you and shared on social media within 72 hours. The rest of your gallery will be delivered within 2-4 weeks.
What if it rains?
Weather is SO hard to predict, isn't it? I keep an eye on the weather (rather obsessively, actually) and will let you know if we should reschedule. Don't stress about the weather leading up to your session - The forecast can change even the morning of your session, so I don't like to make changes too far in advance.
What type of editing/retouching do you do?
I always finish off your photos with a tasteful edit to refine the colors and enhance the beauty of each precious moment.
Because of the nature of lifestyle photography which focuses on capturing authenticity and natural interactions, I do not do extensive editing - I will retouch things that are temporary (such as a pimple or scratch) but I do not do extensive airbrushing, body alterations, or remove things that are happening in the moment (such as windswept hair)
Extensive editing requests can be outsourced for an additional fee per image.
What if my toddler doesn't like having their picture taken?
I understand— We want everyone happy and cooperative when investing in photos, especially with little ones!
With 15 years of working with children and two little ones of my own, toddlers acting like toddlers does not stress me out at all.
I don't force toddlers to look at the camera and 'cheese'—after all, that's rarely an accurate depiction of their true personality. Instead, I leverage my experience (and any insights you share before the session) to give fun prompts and games that engage your child naturally. They might not smile at the camera, but we'll have so many sweet images that capture their personality and capture who they are at this stage of their little lives!
When it comes to your toddler, you set the tone for the session
Your child will be paying a lot more attention to how you are feeling, than even to what I say - You set the tone for them! So it is important that you stay engaged, playful, and cheerful.
Toddlers change by the minute, and during your session, the best thing you can do as a parent is keep smiling and engaging with your child, they will sense if you are stressed or upset. Plus, when we finally capture that sweet shot, you'll want to remember smiling at them, not looking stressed! I promise—sessions with toddlers can feel chaotic (and they are!), but amidst the craziness, there are so many precious moments to capture.
Ahead of your session, I'll share more ideas to help you and your toddler feel prepared for an incredible experience!
"These came out so much better than I could have ever imagined!!! I’m sure all the parents out there understand the pure chaos that was behind these photos. Susannah reassured me that even though it was chaotic, the pictures would be beautiful!! And she was in fact correct!!! 10/10 100% recommend!!"
Morgan R.
HOW DO I BOOK MY FAMILY SESSION with you?
I am thrilled that you've chosen me to be your family photographer!
You can fill out this form on my contact page to inquire, use the link below, or learn more about the investment.
![dad snuggles his one year old during outdoor family pictures fall ]](http://images-pw.pixieset.com/elementfield/WKZjyQb/_DSC1383-2-3ad525b1-1000.jpg)
