Why January is the perfect time to book in-home family photos in New England

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Living in New England, I can tell you that the vast majority of people equate family photos with fall. And I don’t blame them. The fall color makes a stunning backdrop! And the weather is usually more reliably-pleasant - not insanely hot, not frigid, not super rainy or humid or buggy - so it’s a little easier to think about photos then.

I am here to tell you, though, that January is even better, and here’s why:

January light is stunning.

All that snow and gray may look dreary, but they make a perfectly neutral backdrop for family photos. Have you ever noticed how bright it is inside your home on sunny days, what with all the snow on the ground? The lower angle of the sun plus that bright, white snow make for some beautiful, clean light pouring into your home, and that light makes for some lovely photos.

January calendars are lighter.

Aesthetics aside, January is a quieter month than the fall (or spring!) months. The rush of the holidays is over, the days are shorter, and there’s more room to carve out time to be together as a family and document it. It’s the perfect time for a cozy game night, pancake breakfast, snuggly reading sessions, chilling by the fire… what cozy January things does your family love?

January marks a new year.

I write about it all the time but time flies. Our kids go from toddlers to teenagers in what feels like a blink of an eye (especially once they’re teens). They grow and change so much in the short 18 years they’re with us. January is a convenient reminder of a new year, of an opportunity to slow down and remember what life looks and feels like right now so we can remember it when they’re grown and off on their own.

Book your January session today!

Whether you’ve got toddlers, teens, or adult kids starting their own families, January is the perfect time to pause, connect, and make memories that will last forever.

What is a storytelling family session?

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A storytelling family session is one that centers your family - your personalities, your favorite things to do together, and above all, your connection with and care for one another - and tells a story you’ll want to remember for many years to come.

Storytelling family photography is a style I’ve been honing for years through this business and through photographing my own family. My favorite approach is the “fly-on-the-wall” approach, where I photograph you and your loved ones in your “natural element”. When I get to immerse myself in your connection and togetherness, magic happens. ✨

What is a storytelling family photo session like?

Storytelling family photo sessions take many forms!

• For some families, a storytelling family session centers around time with extended family, whether at your home, the beach, or a beautiful, local spot.

• For some families, a storytelling family session centers around “just us” - you, your partner, and the kids.

• For some families, it’s casual-but-posed group photos. Everyone smiling and looking at the camera. For others, it’s candid, almost documentary in the feel. Capturing the chaos, but also the love and care and connection.

• For some families, it’s a moment they never want to forget.

For every storytelling family photo session, I bring a calm, connected presence, easy connection with toddlers and teens alike (even the grumpy ones!), and an eye for the moments you’ll want to remember for a lifetime.

How do I book a storytelling family photo session?

I make it easy! Here’s what to expect:

• Inquire. Fill out a quick form and I’ll send you an email with a link to my calendar so we can briefly chat about you, your family, and your session goals.

• Book. I make it super simple, sending you a link to pick your date, sign your contract, and pay for your session fee, and pre-select your photo & print package if you want to save 10%. Visit my Families page for more info on the investment.

• Prep. I also make this easy: I’ll send you a guide and I’m available ahead of time for questions, outfit input, anything you need to feel at ease and comfortable about your upcoming session.

• Show up. On your session day, you just show up and focus on connecting with your loved ones! I’ll take care of the rest.

• Enjoy your photos for years to come. We’ll go through your gallery a few weeks after your session. You’ll be able to download based on your package selection, and the photos are yours to keep!

Make this year the year you prioritize telling your family’s unique, beautiful, everyday story.

A Year in Photos: Highlights from a Southern NH Photographer

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In the hectic pace of life, I often forget to pause and look back. To see where I’ve been as an anchor to where I’m headed. I have lots of thoughts and feelings about 2025 but suffice it to say that it was a pretty tumultuous year in life, in the world, and — because everything is deeply connected — in this business as well.

That said, I got to photograph some pretty amazing people this year! See for yourself:

When I stop and think—or really, when I stop and look, really look, at the photos I got to make this year with families, businesses, and non-profits, I am deeply encouraged. I got to photograph connection, joy, people who are proud of their work, people who are contributing to their communities in positive ways. See?

2025 had its challenges, and yet. These photos remind me that there was beauty, determination, grit, and grace in the midst of it all. Looking at them fills me with hope and reminds me just how much I deeply love this work.

Thank you to these wonderful people who entrusted me with their photos this year! It has been a privilege.

• 14 families from Hollis, Brookline, Amherst, and Nashua, NH (plus Pepperell, Dunstable, and Woburn, MA!)

• Dishon Bakery in Manchester, NH (if you’re GF and don’t know about it already, you MUST check it out)

• Morneau Law in Nashua, NH

• The Coworking House in Milford, NH

• Healthy Kids Running Series in Amherst, NH

Beaver Brook Family Photo Session

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Sometimes life is too hectic for a full-on family session, and what you really need is a quick, 30-minute option. My petite family sessions provide just that, and this family jumped on it this fall!

One of my favorite places to photograph families is at Beaver Brook in Hollis, NH.

The late-afternoon light is pure magic, there are a variety of backgrounds, textures, and options for photos, and they’re doing incredible work to not only support conservation but also raise up new generations of nature-loving people who are connected to the ecosystems around them.

I love supporting them with my photographer membership and helping families make memories in such a stunning place.

Petite Session FAQs

• What's the difference between a petite session and a regular session?

  Petite sessions are quick (30 minutes), perfect for busy families, mostly-traditional/posed portraits, and take place within 10 miles of 03049 (inquire for travel options). They include a selection of photos from your gallery, with the option to purchase additional images after the session.

  Full or regular sessions are longer, leave more room for candids and travel and telling your unique story, and have several photo & print packages to fit every family’s photo dreams.

• What are your favorite locations for a petite session?

  Obviously Beaver Brook is high on my list! I also love doing petite family photo sessions at your home, Woodmont Orchards, downtown Nashua if that’s your vibe, or wherever your family loves to spend time together.

• Do you make color photos, too?

  100% yes! I love the storytelling power of black & white photos, but most of your gallery will be color.

  If you’re as obsessed with black & white as I am, let me know and you’ll get loads!

• How do I book a petite family photo session?

  To book your petite family photo session, click the Book Your Session button below, fill out the inquiry form, and I’ll be in touch with next steps!

Hollis, NH, Family Photo Session

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Family photos are an excellent opportunity to slow down, spend some time with our loved ones, and pause time for a moment. It is breathtaking how quickly kids grow up, so pausing time now and then is essential!

I got to spend some time with this lovely Hollis, NH, family this fall. We managed to plan it just perfectly so that the fall leaves in their backyard were peak color (you can’t tell because I’m obsessed with black & white, but scroll to the end for the proof!).

Every family session is unique to the family - one of my top priorities is to tell your story, not mine or the same one everyone else tells - but they all have some common elements:

• We start with the money shot! Everyone posed, smiling, and (mostly) looking at the camera. Especially with young kids, it’s helpful to get this out of the way early, before kids just get tired of being told what to do.

• We play! If you have kids younger than 5 or 6 and it’s fall, we will 100% be tossing leaves into the air at least twice during the session. You can count on it.

• I let the kids take breaks. They can run, chase each other, play duck-duck-goose, whatever they need to do to relax, take a break from being asked to smile and stand up straight (ish), and enjoy themselves. Sometimes my best photos happen while they’re playing!

• I always get a photo of the parents on their own. You rarely have time for yourselves and probably haven’t been photographed just the two of you in ages. We make it happen, and you pretend to like each other. ;)

• We do it when your kids are happiest (or, honestly? when it works for your schedule). Sometimes you go with what’s ideal energy-wise (usually the morning with young kids) or light-wise (usually late afternoon!) and sometimes you go with what works for your schedule and trust your photographer to make the magic happen anyway. ✨

Whether you’re looking for a more traditional session like this one above or an even-more-candids, documentary-ish session like these over here, I love helping families of all sorts slow down, connect, and document their lives for a moment in these racing-by times.

p.s: Looking for that proof we hit peak-color? Here you go!

What to do with your Digital Originals

You’ve downloaded your beautifully-edited Digital Originals (full-resolution JPGs always! Plus some smaller files for social media sharing) - now it’s time to think about prints!

I absolutely love creating wall art, albums, greeting cards and other photo gifts with my own family photos, to bring them out of the digital world and into our everyday lives. They’re tangible, my kids can pull books off the shelves or point to photos on the wall, and we can all reminisce together about the adventures we’ve had. There’s nothing like it!

Lucky for you, I’ve created a few ways to do the same thing with your images. Read on to learn more!

Order heirloom-quality prints & wall art through your gallery

Did you know that you can order prints of any of the images in your gallery, not just the ones you downloaded? Head to your gallery, add your favorites to your cart, and boom! you’ve got printed images.

And don’t forget to get them framed! I’m working on offering framing in 2022 but, for now, I love Frame Theory in Milford, NH (tell them I sent you!), or American Frames online.

Get a custom, keepsake photo book or album

There’s nothing quite as special as having your family story printed in book form. I’ve got two options: a layflat photo book that looks and feels just like the other books on your shelves, but with gorgeous photos of you! [Photos coming soon!] Option two is a stunning, linen-covered and embossed album - a beautiful family heirloom gift for all occasions. Pricing starts at $250; Contact me directly for more info.

Shop consumer-quality prints, wall art, and other photo gifts through mPix.

There is no denying the quality of prints you can order from your gallery - the colors, textures, and durability are the best of the best. That said, I want everyone to be able to get their images printed, and if custom, heirloom-quality printing just isn’t in your budget, mPix is for you! Their prints are the best consumer option out there in terms of color & print quality, and they have dozens of fun photo gifts. Upload your Digital Originals directly, or contact me to get your full gallery uploaded.

I get a small commission on purchases here, but it doesn't affect your price.

Shop eco-friendly greeting cards and other photo gifts through Paper Culture.

I love Paper Culture because they’re committed to creating photo cards & gifts sustainably, using recycled paper and responsibly-sourced wood for their products. And their gifts are gorgeous!

I get a small commission on purchases here, but it doesn’t affect your price.

Share your favorite images on social media.

Don’t forget to tag me when you do (@lynnaeday on Insta, @lynnaedayphotography on FB)! I can’t tell you how much it helps my new little business grow when friends see your beautiful images. If you loved them and you love sharing family images on social media, share away!

Not sharing personal images on social media, but want your friends and family to see them anyway? Share your gallery link! Simply forward it to them in an email and they’ll have instant access.

How will you use your family session photos? I can’t wait to see!

…

P.S. If you choose to print/use your photos elsewhere, that's perfectly fine (you do you!), just know that I stand by the quality of these recommendations over all other printing services and I want you to have the best! If you still want to use your own favorite printing sources, just be sure to use your Digital Originals, *not* any social-media-sized images (although do feel free to share those on social media & tag me!), to get the best print quality.