The 11 Best Family Photographers in Ann Arbor

From documentary family moments to planned outings in the woods, family photography is one of our favorite genres. It covers so many possible angles while always displaying people with a deep, unbreakable connection. And if you’re unsure about what style best meets your creative vision, take a look at the images of the 11 best Ann Arbor family photographers for some ideas.

1. Ashlan Marie

Ashlan Marie is a storyteller, mother, and Ann Arbor family photographer we think you’ll love! In particular, she has a strong preference for family documentaries, taking relatively few posed photos in favor of those unposed, spontaneous instants that arise through daily living.

We get to experience the simple beauty of you living your life, embracing your loved ones, and seeing the goofy expressions of your kids as they are. Compare her to the more common style with the perfectly combed hair and dress apparel that gets put back in the closet after the shoot! Ashlan is also a birth photographer, documenting some of the most intimate moments a family ever has: the arrival of a new member.

2. Amanda McClellan

Looking for a family photographer who loves capturing real life in an artistic way? Look no further than the work of Amanda McClellan. As a mother of three, she’s all too aware that time moves on quickly; children grow up fast and your favorite memories can grow hazy with time.

As she explains things: “Time is a thief and memories fade which is why I picked up a camera in the first place, years ago; I was desperate to freeze all of the moments – the precious, the ordinary, the messy — in my family’s story, so I could hold on to them forever.”

3. Nikita Artinian

We love seeing the work of self-taught photographers turned professional, as is the case with Nikita Artinian! Her personal style, which she describes as “simple, balanced, and natural,” makes the most out of natural light, engaging expressions, and gently guided poses to showcase you and your loved ones in a classically nostalgic fashion.

Nikita is a fan of subdued tonalities, avoiding punchy colors but favoring strong contrast to allow form, expressions, and emotions to carry greater weight in her images.

4. Taylor Lee

Outdoor family portrait sessions are classic for a reason! They remind you of outdoor gatherings with your loved ones, a way to enjoy nature within the context of your bonds with each other.

Taylor Lee composes her images using trees and grass as the frame for your smiles and affection. And they have a strong eye for dramatic lighting; from lens flare to Golden Hour hues, we see how Taylor uses light to emphasize the emotions of her subjects and the scene. Theirs is a warm, timeless style that’s perfect for fine art printing and family photo albums.

5. Vera Davis

Few Ann Arbor family photographers have the focus that Vera Davis does with people and their bonds. She exclusively works with families, including the arrival of the youngest members of them all. Maternities, newborns, and children feature prominently in her work.

And if you love studio sessions with cute props and ideal lighting, then you’re in luck! Her photography brings out the innocence in their action and the catchlights in their eyes make Vera’s newborn portraits absolutely captivating

6. Natalie Cooley

Lovers of earthy tones, warm hues, deep shadow, and intimacy are going to adore the photography of Natalie Cooley! From couples and weddings to children and maternity sessions, there’s no part of a family’s journey through life that Natalie hasn’t photographed.

We especially love her dedication to unscripted, candid style captures. It speaks both to her passion for the perfect mess that we all are as well as her talent at helping her subjects feel at ease enough to drop their masks and fully express themselves. As she shares with you: “There are no rules, no right or wrong way, just you letting life happen and me making time stand still for you.”

7. Keri Harrison

As a mother of six children, Keri Harrison is all too aware of how quickly they grow up! That’s why she started her photography brand: to help other parents remember once they’ve all grown and left the nest.

If you love both candid documentary captures and classic posed portraits you’re in luck because Keri favors both approaches. And she also ensures her clients are fully prepared, offering wardrobe ideas, shooting location options, and other means of taking the anxiety out of planning photoshoots.

8. Sarah Rose

As an Ann Arbor family photographer with a lifestyle focus, we adore the work of Sarah Rose! Her photography uses well-chosen backgrounds, apparel, and timing to ensure your images carry precisely the mood you want. She masterfully works in dramatic lighting conditions as well, using silhouettes, sunset colors, lens flare, and other sources of illumination to generate strong nostalgic emotions in viewers.

Sarah also manages to convey a playfulness that removes any sort of stiffness or formality about the photographed family. This suggests she has a real talent for helping people feel at ease and natural in front of her camera.

9. K. Willerick

K. Willerick describes her personal photography style as warm and real, two adjectives we love to see! The warmth is on display, both in the color shift but also in the connections and intimacy her couples and family portray.

And the reality is evident in how masterfully K. Willerick manages to bring out expressive smiles and eyes in her subjects. We really do see people at their best through her art.

10. Rachel Mercer

The power of photography to simultaneously freeze time while reaching deep into the past and future is entirely evident with Rachel Mercer’s work. She counts viewing her grandparents’ wedding album as one of her primary inspirations for becoming a photographer!

Seeing how so much intimacy and joy could be preserved for future generations helped Rachel realize that this was a gift she could also give to others. Her work has a similarly joyful, nostalgic quality that we think you’ll adore.

11. Julianna Stephens

Are you one of those in love with subdued tonalities, with a warm contrast brought in by intimate emotions? If so, then you’re going to love the artistry of Julianna Stephens.

This Ann Arbor family photographer prefers subtle over punchy and authenticity over posed moments. From embracing your loved ones at home on the couch to getting hitched in an intimate elopement, Julianna’s photography shares you with the world as you are, in all your innate perfection!

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