Nantucket family session at Miacomet Beach | Photography by Kristen Swain
Butterflies. That’s what you feel when getting the opportunity to shoot fellow photographers, and describes exactly what I felt when shooting Marnie and her family last summer. Marnie herself is an extremely talented family photographer based in Chicago who found her way in front of my lens while visiting a regular client of mine on Nantucket (thank you, Kate!). It is simultaneously extremely flattering and a little terrifying when another professional photographer puts their trust in you to document their special moments. So yes, those nervous butterflies were making themselves known as I drove to Miacomet to meet this family of five for the first time.
Marnie’s shoot turned out to be one of the most enjoyable and effortless sessions of the summer though, because as a photographer herself, she has a keen eye for what makes a great family photo. The attire she chose for her family was perfect – stylish yet relaxed, with Marnie and her oldest daughter both in beautiful white dresses with plenty of texture, her other two kids in soft pastels, and her husband sporting blue shorts and a tucked-in button-down with a belt. They were all set for the adventure I had planned out for them – a sunset exploration of what is currently my favorite Nantucket beach. We started at the parking lot, wandered through the dunes along the pond, and ended up on the shoreline, where we spotted seals and dipped our toes in the ocean (a highly encouraged activity during my beach sessions but also 100% optional!).
![Three blond kids standing in a row holding hands in the sand dunes, all looking over at one another.](https://kristenswainphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/19688/2024/03/2023.09.02-Nantucket-Family-Session-3542-1024x683.jpg)
What Marnie knows, and what I want to share it with you as my client, is this: the magic of a photo session lies not in the perfect poses or orchestrated moments, but in the genuine love, laughter, and connection you share as a family. While we’ll definitely capture some traditional shots of everyone looking at the camera, our main focus is on having fun and creating authentic memories. If your kids are full of energy, we might have them run along the beach, race each other, or playfully interact with dad. On the other hand, if they’re more laid-back or shy, we might opt for cozy moments of cuddling on a blanket, enjoying the ocean view, or sharing stories.
Of course, we understand that little ones can sometimes have meltdowns. However, when the atmosphere is geared towards enjoyment rather than obligation, and everyone approaches the session with a positive attitude, we can minimize stress and create an experience your family will eagerly anticipate each time. The key is simply to embrace the joy of being together and let the magic unfold naturally.
![Two blond sister's hugging one another and smiling at the camera.](https://kristenswainphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/19688/2024/03/2023.09.02-Nantucket-Family-Session-3587-683x1024.jpg)
![Blond boy sitting cross-legging in the sand, hugging his knees and smiling at the camera.](https://kristenswainphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/19688/2024/03/2023.09.02-Nantucket-Family-Session-3662-1-683x1024.jpg)
![Family of five standing tightly together in the sand dunes, all touching and smiling at one another.](https://kristenswainphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/19688/2024/03/2023.09.02-Nantucket-Family-Session-3729-683x1024.jpg)
Marnie and her family were extremely kind and also ready for fun, so of course my nerves were quelled once we got comfortable with one another (which didn’t take long!). But they came right back a few weeks later, when it was time to deliver Marnie’s photos. I’m not gonna lie, I checked my phone obsessively after delivering her sneak peek. It turns out, as a fellow family photographer, Marnie also knew exactly what I needed to hear after sending her photos over. Knowing that our clients love their photos is EVERYTHING to us photogs. My anxious butterflies turned into the warm & fuzzy kind when Marnie’s text came through: “Welp. These are perfect! Thanks for making my night.” And with those words, she had made my night too.
Nantucket family session at Miacomet Beach | Photography by Kristen Swain
![Dad kneeling in the sand dunes with one arm around the youngest daughter, other hand on his knee, and his other two children standing on the opposite side tight up against him.](https://kristenswainphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/19688/2024/03/2023.09.02-Nantucket-Family-Session-3853-683x1024.jpg)
![Mom sitting in the sand dunes with arms around daughter who is smiling at the camera, sitting on mom's lap and holding onto mom's neck.](https://kristenswainphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/19688/2024/03/2023.09.02-Nantucket-Family-Session-4064-683x1024.jpg)
![Family of five standing barefoot in the grassy dunes and smiling at the camera.](https://kristenswainphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/19688/2024/03/2023.09.02-Nantucket-Family-Session-3690-683x1024.jpg)
![Mom holding youngest blonde daughter on her hip walking away from the camera, with daughter smiling back at the camera.](https://kristenswainphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/19688/2024/03/2023.09.02-Nantucket-Family-Session-3669-2-683x1024.jpg)
![Close-up of young girl holding mom's hand as they walk away from the camera.](https://kristenswainphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/19688/2024/03/2023.09.02-Nantucket-Family-Session-3687-1-683x1024.jpg)
![Mid-distance shot of family of five standing tightly together in the sand dunes and all smiling up at the youngest blonde daughter who herself is smiling at the camera.](https://kristenswainphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/19688/2024/03/2023.09.02-Nantucket-Family-Session-3712-2-683x1024.jpg)
![Dad sitting in the grassy sand dunes with youngest blond daughter on his lap and both are laughing together.](https://kristenswainphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/19688/2024/03/2023.09.02-Nantucket-Family-Session-3928-1024x683.jpg)
![Mom and dad standing in the grassy sand dunes kissing.](https://kristenswainphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/19688/2024/03/2023.09.02-Nantucket-Family-Session-3800-683x1024.jpg)
![Family of five standing barefoot in the sand dunes all touching one another and smiling/laughing at the camera.](https://kristenswainphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/19688/2024/03/2023.09.02-Nantucket-Family-Session-3735-683x1024.jpg)
![Close-up of middle blonde daughter standing in the sand dunes smiling at the camera with wind-blown hair.](https://kristenswainphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/19688/2024/03/2023.09.02-Nantucket-Family-Session-3580-1-683x1024.jpg)
![Mom kneeling in the sand dunes holding youngest blonde daughter tightly to her and nuzzling her nose into her neck.](https://kristenswainphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/19688/2024/03/2023.09.02-Nantucket-Family-Session-3987-2-683x1024.jpg)
![Youngest blonde daughter standing barefoot in the sand dunes smiling at the camera with both hands on her hips.](https://kristenswainphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/19688/2024/03/2023.09.02-Nantucket-Family-Session-3605-1-683x1024.jpg)
![Close-up of mom and dad, arms around one another, smiling at the camera.](https://kristenswainphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/19688/2024/03/2023.09.02-Nantucket-Family-Session-3776-683x1024.jpg)
![Close-up of oldest brother on one knee in the sand dunes smiling at the camera.](https://kristenswainphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/19688/2024/03/2023.09.02-Nantucket-Family-Session-3653-3-683x1024.jpg)
![Sibling shot of all three kids standing side by side with wind-blown hair smiling at the camera.](https://kristenswainphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/19688/2024/03/2023.09.02-Nantucket-Family-Session-3768-683x1024.jpg)
![Distance shot of family standing in front of the ocean, with mom and oldest two children holding hands and standing in a row.](https://kristenswainphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/19688/2024/03/2023.09.02-Nantucket-Family-Session-2465-2-1024x683.jpg)
![Distance shot of family standing in front of the ocean, with dad lifting the youngest blonde daughter into the air.](https://kristenswainphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/19688/2024/03/2023.09.02-Nantucket-Family-Session-2457-1-1024x683.jpg)
![Shot of dad and kids from behind - they are looking at the ocean, dad's arm is around his son, his middle daughter is standing next to him, and his youngest daughter is walking up to them from behind.](https://kristenswainphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/19688/2024/03/2023.09.02-Nantucket-Family-Session-3814-1024x683.jpg)
![Blurry action shot of blond girl in floral jumper running with the waves of the turqoise ocean against the pink sky.](https://kristenswainphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/19688/2024/03/2023.09.02-Nantucket-Family-Session-4275-2-683x1024.jpg)
![Two blonde sisters running along the ocean line in the sand.](https://kristenswainphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/19688/2024/03/2023.09.02-Nantucket-Family-Session-4276-3-683x1024.jpg)
![Young blond girl in a floral jumper, knee deep in the foamy ocean water, looking back toward camera and smiling.](https://kristenswainphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/19688/2024/03/2023.09.02-Nantucket-Family-Session-4251-1-683x1024.jpg)
![Distance shot of two blonde sisters playing in the ocean.](https://kristenswainphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/19688/2024/03/2023.09.02-Nantucket-Family-Session-2482-1024x683.jpg)
![Dad in checkered shirt and blue shorts throws his daughter up in the air on the edge of the ocean on Nantucket.](https://kristenswainphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/19688/2024/03/2023.09.02-Nantucket-Family-Session-4186-683x1024.jpg)
![Young blond girl with curly hair in ponytail, wearing floral jumper and standing next to her father at the ocean's edge; shot from behind.](https://kristenswainphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/19688/2024/03/2023.09.02-Nantucket-Family-Session-4322-683x1024.jpg)
![Dad in checkered shirt and blue shorts throws his daughter up in the air on the edge of the ocean on Nantucket, while his wife and older two children play on the beach.](https://kristenswainphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/19688/2024/03/2023.09.02-Nantucket-Family-Session-4184-1-683x1024.jpg)
![Blurry image of blond children playing near the ocean's edge - the oldest boy has both arms in the air in excitement and the blond sisters are walking toward the water.](https://kristenswainphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/19688/2024/03/2023.09.02-Nantucket-Family-Session-4301-1-683x1024.jpg)
Nantucket family session at Miacomet Beach | Photography by Kristen Swain
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