St. Louis Family Photographer

Authentic, Come-As-You-Are St. Louis Family Portraits

Looking for a St. Louis family photographer who captures your crew as they really are: the belly laughs, the little hands, the in-between moments? Nightingale Photography creates warm, candid family portraits across the St. Louis metro area, from Forest Park picnics to cozy in-home sessions.

  • St. Louis family photographer, two young brothers in linen shirts teasing each other among evergreen trees
  • St. Louis family photographer, black and white photo of a smiling father hugging his two young sons outdoors
  • St. Louis family photographer, mother in a tan blazer holding hands with her two young sons in a forest clearing
  • St. Louis family photographer, black and white portrait of two brothers hugging and smiling at the camera
  • St. Louis family photographer, parents and their two young sons holding hands together under tall trees
  • St. Louis family photographer, family of five standing together under a red maple tree with the sun behind them
  • St. Louis family photographer, teenager hugging their mother from behind in a park at sunset
  • St. Louis family photographer, mother and her tall teenage son smiling together in tall coastal grass
  • St. Louis family photographer, three teenage siblings standing arm in arm in warm evening light
  • St. Louis family photographer, mother laughing with her two daughters beside a wooden footbridge at sunset
  • St. Louis family photographer, family of five with their teenagers hugging their parents in front of an arched wooden bridge

Celebrate your family, exactly the way you are.

Try as we might, we can’t stop our kids from growing up. You’ll never get this time back again, and every stage in your life with them is a moment worth remembering. This is about your family’s journey, the good, the bad, and everything in between.

Baby girl with a purple bow in a white ruffled outfit sitting among green ivy, looking down at the leaves
Family portrait at golden hour in a grassy oak meadow, mother in a rust dress kissing the father while their toddler daughter rides on his shoulders and their baby is held close

Embrace the imperfections.

Say goodbye to studio poses, awkward angles, and pinched smiles. My approach to family portraits is simple: showcase who your family is, right now, as authentic and genuine as possible. Bring on the belly laughs and silly dances! The more relaxed and carefree you are, the more fun we’ll have and the better the experience will be.

Christina is such a delight to work with! She is funny, easy going , laid back and just pure joy! Getting family pictures done has sort of become our yearly family tradition and I have worked with wonderful ones back in the East Coast. After moving to the Bay Area, I have been looking to find someone who could capture our fun personalities and our ‘ not- so camera- ready ‘ moments and Christina is just that! She knows far too well the how natural light will make your memories stand out. Christina is wonderful with candids & extremely patient with kids. I have a couple of high energy ones and she was calm yet quick to catch their moods. Our session at a beach ended up with kids getting soaked which was not a part of the original plan for the shoot . Christina, of course seemed to love the little detour. She cheered, she laughed along and took gorgeous shots! - Shilpa

Family of four laughing and dancing together in front of a bright red garage door on a city street, parents twirling their son and daughter

HOW IT WORKS

1. Curious? We’ll Chat

Three young sisters in floral dresses holding hands on the front walkway of a home, the youngest following behind with a stuffed bunny

There’s no better time to snapshot your family portraits than right now. We’ll set up a time to talk about packages and rates, location ideas, plus address any questions or concerns you might have. Worried your kids won’t sit still? No problem. Unsure about what to wear? I’ve got you covered. I’ll guide you through the process and handle all the details, so all you have to do is show up with your family and enjoy the experience.

2. Let’s Do This

Toddler girl in a pink tutu standing with her arms stretched wide on a flat rocky shoreline at low tide

If you’re ready, we’ll seal the deal with an electronic booking agreement to get the ball rolling. Congratulations, we’re on the way to beautiful family portraits! This contract, and a Booking Fee that is due when we schedule your session, will reserve your spot on my calendar so we don’t lose out on the best day for your photo session.

3. It’s Family Photo Day

Interior of the historic Linnean House glasshouse at the Missouri Botanical Garden in St. Louis, with a stone fountain surrounded by yellow chrysanthemums, potted plants and arched brick windows

Family picture day is here and I cannot be more excited! I'll meet you at the location we agreed on (most likely a beautiful spot somewhere in the St. Louis metro, like Forest Park or the Missouri Botanical Garden!) for a 60-minute photo session. I know this day can be stressful and you're worried your kids won't sit still or be in the mood for photos. But I've learned a thing or two in my 20 years of working with families. I've seen it all, and I'll be right there with you to make this a fun and relaxed day for everyone.

4. Photos Are Forever

Family of five in soft blue outfits smiling together under a blooming pink cherry tree in a spring garden

I’ll have your family portrait gallery live and ready to view no later than 2 weeks after our photo session. At this time you can order prints, photo albums, wall art, and other keepsakes to display your photos and revisit those moments again and again. I’d be happy to suggest keepsakes or wall art for you, but keep in mind they’re sold separately from the photo session booking fee.

FAQ

Where do you photograph family sessions in St. Louis?

Anywhere your family feels most like itself. Forest Park, the Missouri Botanical Garden, Tower Grove Park and Creve Coeur Lake are all favorites, and in-home sessions are just as beautiful when your kids are small. I photograph across the whole metro area, including Clayton, Ladue, Kirkwood, Webster Groves, Chesterfield and St. Charles. If you have a spot that means something to your family, let us use it.

When is the best time of year for family photos in St. Louis?

Spring and fall are the easiest: mild light, green parks in April and May, warm color in October. Summer sessions work beautifully if we start early in the morning or an hour before sunset, when the humidity eases and the light softens. Winter has its own quiet charm, indoors or out. Fall dates fill up first, so reach out early if you want October.

What should we wear for our family photos?

Choose clothes your family can move, sit and play in. Soft neutrals, muted tones and simple textures photograph well together and keep the attention on your faces. Coordinate rather than match: pick two or three colors and let everyone pull from them. Once your session is booked I will send you a guide, and I am always happy to look at photos of your options before the day.

What if my kids will not sit still or cooperate?

That is completely normal and it is my job, not yours. In twenty years of photographing families I have seen every mood there is. We keep the session moving, build in breaks and snacks, and let the kids be kids. The frames you will love most are usually the ones nobody posed for anyway.

How long is a family session and when do we see the photos?

A family session runs about 60 minutes, which is enough time to relax without exhausting the little ones. Your gallery is ready to view no later than two weeks after our session, and from there you can order prints, albums and wall art.

How much does a family session cost in St. Louis?

Pricing depends on the session type and any prints or albums you would like. Get in touch and I will send current details along with available dates.

Remember this moment in time!

Before these years pass you by, celebrate who your family is, just the way you are. There’s no time like the present.

WE'RE READY!

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A Little About Me

I bring so much more than a camera to your session. I show up with a passion for seeing the things you might be too busy to see at the moment; the incredible love your family shares as it grows. Those little fingers and toes, the way your child feels when she falls asleep on your shoulder and the joy you take in sharing this experience with your partner.

 

When you work with me, Christina, for your family photos, you’re getting a lifelong, professional in my field (not just a photography enthusiast) dedicated to providing families with meaningful portraits of the most special time in their lives - becoming parents and being part of a family.

christina@nightingalephotos.com
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