Because you only happen once.

SEATTLE’S FAMILY AND NEWBORN PHOTOGRAPHER FOR KIDS AND THE GROWN-UPS THAT LOVE THEM.

A young girl walking on a dirt trail in a wooded forest with sunlight streaming through the trees.

Colorful abstract lines in pink, blue, and other colors on a black background.

I'M READY TO BOOK!

You Are my people if...

You love candid moments more than perfect poses.
You love being a parent and want to remember this precious time.
You want photographs that feel like your family.
You're looking for a Seattle photographer who welcomes every stage of childhood.

My style is human focused, all about presence and what is right here in our chaotic, beautiful now. You won’t see me setting up tons of gear or chatting about the technicalities of the cameras I love. You will see me sitting with our kids looking at their cool art, that rock in their pocket, or meeting Bob the cat. I’ll leave your session with tons of photos and maybe a grass stain. You’ll leave your session knowing that you are exactly where you should be and that the people in your world are truly magical.

“Anela brought such fun and creativity to our photoshoot. With her warm personality, ease communicating to little ones, and love for pets, our whole family felt seen and cared for. She created vibrant and beautiful images that perfectly captured our family’s energy. 100000/10 would recommend. ”

— Gabriel about her newborn session

“Anela is a great photographer. She is really nice and takes amazing photos! I love taking photos with her and my family. ”

— Sonny, 12

“Working with Anela was delightful! She was so comfortable working with our family, and we were all instantly comfortable working with her, too. For our daughters, that really says something about Anela’s way with kids! The real thrill really came when we received the images she so skillfully created. Her artistry really captured special candid moments that tell the story of our family. They are amazing photos that we will treasure and enjoy looking through with our family as the girls grow up. Thank you, Anela!”

— Danielle

My photography leans in two directions and the type of session you choose will have more or less of these styles:

Three pink hearts drawn on a light-colored textured background.

Lifestyle

A curved blue line on a textured light gray background.

A lifestyle session is often shorter, more directed with poses and games to get images of your family celebrating this special time of your lives. I’ll guide you to stand together, sit together, tickle, play a bit getting fun photos of poses and the in betweens. I’ll make sure we get images of all the special relationships and sweetness of what makes your family special.

A woman and three young boys hugging and playing outside in a front yard in autumn. The woman is wearing a black shirt, blue jeans, and yellow shoes. The boys are wearing plaid shirts, blue jeans, and colorful sneakers.

Orange-colored pencil drawing a thin, curved line on white paper.

Documentary

These images are made with me just hanging around your family as a fly on the wall. Moments of you helping kids get dressed or playing in the yard. These capture your truest, fleeting, beautiful now. To prepare for a Documentary Session, we’ll plan where you’ll be and what you’ll be doing to make sure there’s some great action and opting for the best light.

A young girl with blonde hair holds a bubble wand to her lips while standing outside. She appears to be blowing bubbles, with a bubble bottle in her right hand. The background is a yard with grass and trees, and some blurred structures or vehicles.

3 Types of Sessions

A family of four enjoying time outdoors in a wooded area, sitting on steps, smiling and laughing. The father has a beard and is wearing a light blue shirt, holding a young girl with long blonde hair who is wearing a colorful dress. The mother has long brown hair and is wearing a white shirt, holding a boy with blonde hair who is wearing a dark shirt, and is holding a small toy. They appear happy and relaxed.

The word "LIFESTYLE" written in blue marker or pen on a light-colored background.

A hand-drawn blue progress bar with a yellow end.

Short Sessions

15 quick minutes
At one of my favorite locations
Hard to snag spots offered seasonally
Offered to past clients → mail list → IG
Includes 5 images and options to purchase more
$299 + tax at one location / $329 + tax when I come to you

A mother and her baby lying on a soft, furry blanket near a window, with the mother gently touching the baby's head.

Colorful rectangular progress bar with blue on the left and orange on the right, outlined in dark blue.

Happy Hour

A ~1 hr session just for your family at your home or somewhere special to you.
Perfect for celebrating kids young and old, including newborns!
Includes 75+ images and a complimentary album I design for you.
$949 + tax

Two women and a child behind a green chain-link fence decorated with colorful locks and ornaments, with a light blue sky and a few birds flying overhead.

Handwritten word 'Documentary' with a downward arrow underneath.

Hand-drawn rectangular object with a blue edge, orange center, and black line, on a light background.

Storytelling

Exactly my favorite way to harness memories of families and newborns.
~3 hours spent hanging out with you seeing what unfolds…sitting around at home, on an adventure, or whatever silly way we plan your time!
At your home or somewhere special to you.
Includes 150+ images, a complimentary album I design just for you, and a flip book for every child in the fam.
$1449 + tax

Ready to Book!

A Gallery of Images

A group of four children and one adult people are smiling and hugging each other outdoors, with sunlight shining on their faces and glasses with yellow flower reflections, suggesting a cheerful and friendly moment.

A baby lying on a bed, holding up its legs and looking at the camera with a curious expression, in a room with sunlight coming through a window.

A black-and-white photo of two children playing outdoors, one girl in a dress and the other boy standing on a wooden step.

A group of six people, including two adult men, two women, and three children, gathered together, smiling and appearing happy. They are sitting closely in front of a large abstract painting with various colors in a room.

Hands working with a sharp knife on a piece of wood on a wooden surface.

A woman holding a young girl outdoors, with trees and a house in the background, on a cloudy day.

A young boy with short curly hair wearing a blue plaid shirt holding a toy race car outdoors on green grass.

A woman with curly hair and glasses hugs a young girl in a burgundy sweater, while another child in a striped shirt hugs a person with their back to the camera. They are in front of a colorful, abstract background with patterns of trees and small dot

A woman is lying down on a soft, fuzzy surface with a baby, touching the baby's head gently. They are near a window with light coming through, creating a warm, intimate scene.

Two young women sit back to back in a natural setting with tall grasses, with their hair intertwined.

A family of four lying on a living room rug, playing and relaxing together. The father and children are engaging in a playful moment on the floor, with a sofa, a large plant, and wall decor visible in the background.

A man with gray hair and a beard lifting a baby, who is wearing a white onesie, in a living room with a window, a beige couch, and green plants.

Two young boys hugging outdoors, smiling at each other in black and white photo.

A young child with blue eyes and light hair lying on an adult's lap, drinking from a baby bottle.

Young woman with long wavy hair looking over her shoulder outdoors with blurred autumn trees in the background.

A family of six lying on a bed, engaging in playful interaction. The boy, with short dark hair, is smiling and looking at the camera while wearing a long-sleeve shirt with red mushroom patterns and blue pants. The woman, with glasses and dark hair, i

A young girl with blonde hair covering her face with her hands, standing indoors near a dark wall and a light-colored window or door.

Four people lying closely together on a couch, smiling and interacting with a small baby, with a colorful blanket in the background.

A group of six people, including three children and three adults, standing on a lawn in front of a brick wall and a house. The children are holding a football, and everyone is smiling, celebrating outdoor.

A family with children gathered on the front steps of a house, with lush greenery and flowering plants surrounding them.

A woman and a child sharing a close, tender moment, with their foreheads touching and eyes closed.

A person petting a large brindle and white bulldog puppy on a wooden porch. The person's arm is visible, wearing a watch and a striped shirt, and the puppy appears relaxed with its tongue slightly out.

Two young girls with long hair and headbands, facing each other closely, smiling and touching noses, in a black-and-white photo.

A man wearing glasses and a patterned shirt sitting on a motorcycle, leaning slightly to the right with a woman kissing his cheek. The woman has her hair tied back and is wearing glasses. There is a young girl with her arms around the man, smiling an

Three people, two women and one man, are laughing and hugging on a bed with crumpled white sheets. A girl with long, curly blonde hair and glasses is lying upside down in the foreground, smiling with her eyes closed. The woman with red hair and glass

A young girl with long, wet hair smiling at the camera on a beach at sunset.

Children and adults gathering around a large fluffy dog, possibly a Golden Retriever, outdoors on a dirt path with fallen leaves. The dog is being petted or examined by an adult.

A woman with long reddish-brown hair and earrings is lying on her side, gently holding a newborn baby on a dark blue bedspread. The woman is smiling and looking at the baby, who is touching her face with their hand. The scene appears intimate and ten

A man holds a young girl on his shoulders while another child is intertwined around his waist. They are outdoors, under a large tree, in a garden or backyard setting.

Close-up black and white photo of a child resting their head on an adult's shoulder, with their face partially visible and eye looking towards the camera.

How’s this all work?

Contact me if you have any questions. If you’re ready to book, head over to my shop and grab the session that you’d like - Happy Hour and Storytelling Sessions have the same booking link and same $439 deposit. When you pick your date, a form will pop up. It’ll take about 5-10 minutes to fill out then you’ll be on my calendar, make sure to put me on yours! YAY! And if you have any questions, just email me!
Making sure you and the family are ready for the session is a really fun part. I’ll send you a welcome guide with tips on helping the kids get ready as well as what to wear. I’ll email you to fine tune the details about our session. If it’s a Happy Hour or Storytelling session, we’ll discuss the location(s) and timing of your session.
I’ll meet you and the fam at the perfect spot and time (based on dreamy light). I’ll get to know you and the kids and ease into photography fun! I promise it’ll be fun and you’ll leave feeling like you really do have the best family in all the land.
Within a month of our photo day, I’ll send you a link to your online gallery where you can view all your images. This is where you can download to keep forever and also where you can order from my favorite professional printshops.
You’ll have images to share, print, hang on the walls. You can look through the albums for years to come and will always have treasures from this special time.

A purple decorative cursive letter 'S' with a textured, fuzzy appearance against a black background.

A green, glowing squiggly line on a white background with labels pointing to certain sections.

Still have questions?

Email me, contact me or check out my FAQ below.

I'M READY TO BOOK A SESSION

Here’s to an intentional day full of love for your favorite people.

Frequently Asked Questions

Wear what makes you happy! Some families like to coordinate their clothes, but I don’t recommend matching. Avoid logos and neon colors. Wear layers if it’s chili out so you’re comfortable. If you are a nursing mom, wear something that will make it comfortable to nurse if you’d like during your session. Here’s a blog post about this!
Your session can be anywhere that makes you and your family happy! I love to do in-home sessions then take a walk in your neighborhood or a short drive to one of your favorite outdoor places to play. I have a few spots in and near Seattle that I can recommend for sessions that are completely outdoor, but I'm up for anything including a bus ride to your favorite bakery or going on the ferris wheel. When you book your session, we will talk about what will be the best fit for your family. *Short’n’Sweet Sessions are at my favorite spots.
I do most newborn sessions at your home and sometimes at hospitals or birthing centers. I prefer the natural setting of homes for babies so we can cater to their needs in this special time at the start of one’s life.
This depends on the type of session you sign up for! 5 min to 3 hours!
It will be relaxed and fun. I help your family spend some focused time together as I want your images to show the essence of your relationships and the unique individuals who make your family. I’ll guide you and your family to hug, dance, snuggle up, and even play tag along with any activities that we discuss to prepare for your session (like playing trains or even kids taking a bath). I don’t force smiles and rigid forward facing pictures, so you can relax and just be together. My goal is for you to have a joyful and connected session, leaving you feel closer to your family and excited to see the art we made!
When we’re sick it’s hard to be our true selves, so of course we’ll aim to reschedule. For Happy Hour and Storytelling Sessions, we’ll pick a new date that works. For mini sessions, I’ll try to find a new date but if not possible half of your session fee will be refunded if there is not available spots left in the mini session calendar for the season. As a small business owner, I do ask that you give as much notice as you possibly can.
Here’s the thing, your kids will be exactly who they are and that’s perfect! It’s my #1 goal to help them feel comfortable with me and the unique situation. I have photographed hundreds of kids and typically I can get them to settle in. I recommend trying to keep yourself and other adults calm, remind all the grown ups that we’ll get great images, really! Calm adults will help a ton with all the nervous systems!
I have a digital camera that I use for everything and a few film cameras that I often add in as well. I love to shoot with my 35mm lens, that’s my happy place. The gear is just there for the ride. I also use different lenses including a fun one from lensbaby and I freelens. I love to play with things right in front of my lens like toys, rainbows, crystals, etc.
If it’s a session just for your family, we’ll just reschedule. If it’s a mini session the reschedule date is already set.
I recommend booking your session as soon as you know baby’s coming! I love to do photos of pregnant mamas around 32-36 weeks and offer an add on maternity mini session for half the cost if you’re interested. I typically set a date for your newborn session about a week after your due date but this time is full of surprises so I just ask to be on your list of people you tell when your baby arrives and then we can set a date. I love to photograph newborns within the first 3 weeks after arrival but I also love sessions when baby’s a little older and you’re settled in. I love this season of life and have personally experienced how difficult it can be, I’m here for you to celebrate and here for you to support as well.
No I don’t have a studio. My favorite place to photograph you is your favorite place and I doubt you’re going to the studio to play yahtzee on the weekends. I do have a favorite one that I rent from time to time but I won’t be doing that this year.
I loved my wedding but this is not my jam! If I were planning a wedding, I’d hire Erin Aasland!
I don’t have special bookings for headshots - it’s not what brings me joy. I do often take a quick headshot at family sessions and this is available as a $99 add on when you purchase your session.
I typically book out a few months in advance. My fall mini sessions often sell out right when I release them (so much gratitude) - join my mail list to be amongst the first to hear when I set my schedule for new session dates.