wonder
connection
play
So this is me...
That was the tipping point.
I saved up for a "big camera," learned to shoot in manual, and spent countless hours figuring out this whole photography thing. Meanwhile, my daughter developed a new hobby... running away from the camera.
As it turns out, she accidentally became a pretty great teacher.
Photographing a child who has absolutely no interest in posing forces you to slow down. To observe. To notice the little things instead of trying to control every moment. Looking back, I think that's where my style of photography really began.
A couple of years later, with two little ones just nineteen months apart, I took my newborn son to one of those chain portrait studios. He had the tiniest little scratch on his face, so I asked if they could edit it out.
"No."
Seriously?
It was a two-second fix.
I bought one picture, went home, scanned it into my computer, opened Photoshop, and fixed it myself.
I remember thinking, I could do this...and I think I could do it better.
Funny enough, that studio is long gone.
I'm still here.
My daughter eventually turned around and looked at the camera. My son grew up. Two more kids joined our family. Somewhere along the way I built a business photographing children exactly as they are—not because they're perfectly behaved, but because they're wonderfully, beautifully themselves.
Have you ever watched a nature photographer?
They'll sit for hours simply watching and waiting. They aren't trying to make the animal do something. They're paying attention, waiting for that one moment they've been hoping for.
Photographing children feels a little like that.
Thankfully, it doesn't usually take hours.
But it does take patience.
It takes curiosity.
It takes paying attention.
I ask questions and then I listen. I wait for the story behind the answer. I look for the thing that lights up their whole face. I welcome the silly faces because I've learned that genuine laughter almost always comes right after.
When I photograph families, I'm not looking for perfection.
I'm looking for wonder.
P.S. Plot twist...my kids somehow survived having way more than one roll of film devoted to their childhood.
Would you believe that before I had kids, I used to joke that my poor children would have their entire childhood documented on one roll of film? (Yes...film. It was many moons ago.)
The funny thing is, I always forgot to take pictures of people. I loved photographing architecture instead. I took a photography class in junior high where I learned to develop film in a darkroom...mostly pictures of my cat. Then I spent two years on yearbook staff in high school, where I had to embrace photographing actual PEOPLE. Although, if I'm being honest, given the choice I still probably would have wandered off to photograph a building...or my dog.
Then I became a mom.
Like so many parents, I started taking pictures of my daughter. I still remember one photograph where the afternoon light caught her face just right and lit up those dark blue eyes. There wasn't anything particularly extraordinary about the moment, but I remember looking at that picture and thinking, I want to know how to do that again.
Hi, I’m Anna — a North Dallas family & child photographer.
In fact, when ever we get a new puppy, I always do a special puppy photo shoot, because puppies grow so fast!
Yes, I still take pictures of my dogs
what does that mean?
I am child led photographer.
What a Session With Me Feels Like:
Great question! A child-led photo session means we follow your kids’ lead. We’ll play, explore, and move at their pace. This is the secret to stress-free family photos. I’m not expecting your kids to sit still and smile—I actually prefer when they don’t! I’ve found that when kids are relaxed and having fun, those genuine moments of laughter, connection, and curiosity come naturally.
So if you’re worried that your child won’t “cooperate,” you’re not alone—and you don’t need to be concerned. My laid-back style lets your family be exactly who you are, while I quietly document the magic. I want your images to reflect the truth of your family: playful, tender, wild, and full of love.
So maybe you are wondering…
“What is a child led photographer?”
What a Session With Me Feels Like:
I am child led photographer.
Actually...it's probably the main thing we do.
We'll go exploring together. Sometimes I'll point out deer tracks in the dirt, wildflowers growing along the trail, or an interesting bug we happen to find. It can feel a little like a nature walk where we just happen to be taking pictures along the way.
I'm a pretty laid-back person, and I laugh a lot. More than anything, I want your family to leave thinking, "That was actually really fun."
If your kids want to see the back of my camera, I'll happily show them. If they're curious about how it works, I often let them stand beside me while we take a picture together. (Don't worry...I'm holding the camera the whole time!)
One of my favorite things to do is ask kids what they think is worth photographing. Sometimes it's a heart-shaped rock they found. Sometimes it's the tiniest white flower. Silly faces are often a favorite and always welcome.
Whatever it is, I want to know.
I've learned over twenty-one years of photographing families that when children feel seen, heard, and free to be themselves, the smiles don't have to be forced. The laughter comes naturally. The connection is real. And those are the moments that tell your family's story.
We had such a wonderful experience working with Anna for our family portraits. She truly captured us beautifully and made the entire session feel easy, natural, and fun. She managed to capture real, candid moments that feel so us. The photos turned out better than we could have imagined. If you’re looking for a photographer who is professional, patient, and incredibly talented, we can’t recommend Anna enough!
-Sienna C.
As much a I really love the out and about sessions, I really want people to see the beauty that is right there in your own home. Your backyard, your playroom, and your home is where your life is lived and where most of your memories will be made. When I was a kid, we had a big willow tree in my backyard. I spent hours upon hours climbing that tree. Many of my memories of childhood in that house are in that tree. However, I don't think I have one picture of that tree, or me in the tree. Those images only live in my mind. What are the spaces in your home that will become the anchors for your family's memories? Let's include those spaces in your photos!