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Family Sessions 

Luxury Service, Effortless Experience.
Capture the moment without the stress of doing it all yourself.

At Chelsea Hickey Photography, family sessions are designed to feel natural, personal, and effortless. Serving Boston and surrounding towns, I help families capture genuine connection through outdoor, studio, and in-home photography experiences. From hair and makeup to wardrobe styling and artwork design, every detail is handled for you — so you can focus on what matters most: being together.

You’ll never regret having beautiful photos with your kids,

but you might regret putting them off!

Family Sessions Tailored for You:

You only get one chance to capture your family as they are right now.Don’t miss it or settle for photos that feel stiff, rushed or forgettable.

I specialize in full-service, family photography sessions

that are tailored to you.

Whether you’re dreaming of a playful session in your own backyard, chasing golden hour at a favorite local spot, welcoming the calm of an early morning at the beach, enjoying something cozy at home, or creating timeless portraits in the studio, every family session is designed with intention. My goal is to capture your family’s unique connections—naturally, beautifully, and with just the right amount of guidance so the experience feels relaxed and genuine.

What's Included

It's out goal to make this process as complete as possible. Covering all bases will save time in the end, and after all, what's more valuable than time?!

Here's just a few of our amazing services!

Hair and makeup for Boston family photos

Professional Hair & Makeup

Whether your session takes place outdoors, in the studio, or at home, a professional artist will ensure you look polished, refreshed, and ready to step in front of the camera with confidence.

Wardrobe styling for family photo sessions

Wardrobe Styling

I’ll guide you through your closet and help coordinate looks that photograph beautifully — from relaxed at-home sessions to playful outdoor shoots, elevated studio portraits, or even more stylized concepts. The goal is effortless style that feels like you.

Photographer planning Boston family portrait session

Expert Guidance 

From helping you choose the right type of session to planning locations, outfits, and shots, I’ll take care of the details. During the session, I’ll guide you naturally so it feels fun and relaxed, and afterward we’ll meet in person to design artwork that fits seamlessly into your home.

For more than a decade, I’ve worked with Boston families to create portraits that are both meaningful and beautiful. Whether you prefer a classic studio look, candid outdoor portraits, or a documentary-style session at home, I’ll guide you through an experience designed to be relaxed, fun, and personal

Chelsea is an absolute gem. We missed out on newborn photos during the pandemic and wanted to capture some family memories while our kids (1yo and 3yo) were still little. Chelsea was flexible, understanding, and professional through every step of the process, and the photos turned out better than I could have dreamed. (I openly wept while watching our family video for the first time!) For us, the investment in a family photo shoot with Chelsea was truly priceless -- we highly recommend her work and would absolutely book her again for another session when our family is a bit older!

Carly A.

How it Works

We Connect

I know the phone can be scary, but don't worry - it's just a friendly chat! This way I can learn about you and your family, your goals, your style, and what matters most to you.

We Shoot

We Plan

I’ll come to your home and we'll look at your space, customize the shots, and plan your family's wardrobe. You don’t have to figure out anything yourself!

Your session will be a mix of gently guided moments and natural, candid magic, so you get variety without stress.

We Create

Within two weeks, we'll meet back up and I’ll walk you through your images and help design artwork that fits your home (and your life). I even handle installation!

What's
Included:

  • Style & Concept Consultation
    We’ll meet at your home before your session to plan wardrobe, color palette, shots, artwork goals, and overall vision.
    [Learn more about the process →]

  • In Person Wardrobe guidance
    You’ll receive personalized styling support, including access to a curated collection of dresses for moms and outfit options for babies and toddlers that photograph beautifully and feel true to your style. We’ll also do an in-person consultation using your own closet to help pull everything together with ease.

  • In-home hair & makeup for mom
    My professional artist comes right to your home on session day, so you can relax and feel your best without having to lift a finger. A quick pre-session survey helps tailor the look to your  preferences.

  • Digital & hard copy prep guides
    You’ll receive beautifully designed guides to walk you through what to expect, how to prepare your space, and how to make the most of your session

  • Customized shot list + relaxed session flow
    Your session is tailored to your family, blending guided portraits, sibling moments, and unscripted storytelling; all planned around your comfort and preferences.

  • Ordering appointment
    We’ll view your images together, and I’ll guide you through the process of choosing your favorites—it’s relaxed, interactive, and actually one of the best parts! I’ll show you custom wall art mockups so you can visualize exactly how your images could look in your home. While artwork design and installation is always available, you’re never expected to order anything beyond what feels right for your family.

We're the right
fit if...

  • You want a full-service photography experience—from start to finish

  • You value quality over quantity and are looking for custom artwork, not just digitals

  • You want to feel taken care of with in-home hair and makeup and wardrobe support

  • You’re tired of doing it all yourself (planning outfits, picking a location, crossing fingers for cooperation)

  • You want to actually be in the photos this time—not just take them

  • You care more about connection and real moments than perfect posing

  • You want photos that reflect your family as they are right now—beautifully and authentically

  • You’re looking for someone who understands how to work with kids and keeps things relaxed

  • You’re ready to turn these fleeting moments into heirloom artwork for your home

    Sound like you? Let’s create something meaningful—without the stress.

What you'll walk away with

  • A calm, guided experience that leaves you feeling confident, not stressed

  • Photos that feel like you - honest, emotional, and beautifully crafted

  • Artwork and heirlooms that you'll be proud to display

  • Memories preserved in a way your family will treasure and talk about for years to come

FAQ's

What should we wear for our session?
Don’t stress, I’ve got you covered. We’ll go over everything during your in-home style and concept consultation, where I’ll help you choose outfits that coordinate beautifully with the location, season, and your family’s style. And if you like I can even make you a personalized style board.

Can we include grandparents or extended family?
Absolutely. Just let me know ahead of time if additional family members will be joining so I can plan for enough time and adjust the flow of the session to include everyone.

What happens if it rains?
New England weather keeps us on our toes! I keep a close eye on the forecast leading up to your session, and if it looks like we’ll get rained out, we’ll reschedule to the next mutually available date -no stress.

What time of day do sessions take place?
Outdoor sessions are scheduled around the best natural light, usually early morning or about 90 minutes before sunset. Don’t worry, I’ll help you pick the best time based on your kids’ routines and the time of year.

How long does the session last?
Most outdoor and studio sessions run about an hour. That gives us plenty of time for a mix of playful, candid moments and softly guided portraits without anyone feeling rushed. Sometimes little ones tap out sooner, and sometimes we’re having so much fun that we go a bit over—I don’t bring a stopwatch.

Documentary sessions are a bit different since the goal is to capture your family’s story as it unfolds. Those typically run 2–4 hours, giving us space for natural rhythms, unhurried transitions, and those little in-between details that tell the bigger story.

If you’re looking for something more extensive or custom, we’ll talk through all the options on your Discovery Call so we can plan the perfect fit for your family.

What if my kids don’t cooperate?
Totally normal! My approach is relaxed and child-led. We’ll play games, explore the space, and follow their lead. The goal isn’t stiff smiles, it’s capturing genuine connection and joy.

Where will the session take place?
I have several beautiful, tried-and-true locations I can recommend, or I’m happy to come to your favorite outdoor spot - even your own backyard can be the perfect setting. We’ll talk it through during your consultation. I'm also always happy to discuss the option of an at-home storytelling documentary session - they're amazing!

When will we see the photos?
About two weeks after your session, we’ll meet for your in-home ordering appointment, where you’ll view a curated gallery and choose the images and heirloom artwork that fits your family and home.

Can we bring our dog?
Yes! Pets are family too. Just let me know so we can choose a pet-friendly location and make a plan for wrangling them when they’re not in the shot.

What do your outdoor sessions include?
Every session includes the full-service experience - your style consultation, location planning, the session itself, an in-home ordering appointment, and access to heirloom products like albums, prints, and custom wall art.

What if I want to do something at my home?

That’s actually one of my favorite things to do. My in-home documentary sessions are perfect for capturing your family in a way that feels real, comfortable, and meaningful. We can focus on the everyday moments that matter most—baking in the kitchen, reading on the couch, playing in the yard—or we can blend that with some lightly posed family portraits outside in your own space. It’s relaxed, personal, and tailored entirely to you.

What should I expect to invest?

Every family's story is different, and my sessions are all about creating something personal and lasting. This is a full-service experience for families who want a hands-on, customized process from capturing meaningful moments to designing artwork that truly fits your home and lifestyle.

When you book, your session fee includes a credit toward your image purchase. After your session, we’ll meet for a relaxed ordering appointment where you’ll choose the images you love most. Each selection includes both the digital file and a printed version (either in a custom album or matted print collection).

Final investment all depends on your goals and what you choose. I’ll walk you through everything so you can make decisions with clarity and confidence and you only buy what you love!

 

5 Springdale Ave, Canton MA 
Serving the Boston and surrounding area including, Brookline, Newton, Needham, Norwood, Westwood, Wellesley, Walpole, Dedham, Canton, and Milton and beyond. Happy to travel, just ask!

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