You’ve got the outfits half planned, the calendar open, and one big question hovering: will this be worth it if your kids spiral and your partner is already bracing for “photo day energy”? If you’re looking at photographers and you want someone who can keep things calm, give you direction, and still let your family feel like yourselves, Jeff Jansen is one to know in the Tampa Bay area.
Jeff Jansen is a lifestyle family photographer based in New Port Richey who serves families across Tampa Bay, including Tampa, St. Pete, and Clearwater. He notes he photographed weddings for years, then shifted his focus toward family photography after becoming a grandfather, leaning into the everyday, real-life side of raising kids rather than “everybody stand still and smile.”
That background matters for a practical reason: he’s built his business around helping families who don’t want stiff posing or a session that feels like performance. He’s direct about the tradeoff. If you want spotless, perfectly posed images where nobody gets sandy, sweaty, or emotional, he’s not positioning himself as that photographer.
I best describe my sessions as relaxed and unposed, with families “being themselves” while I watche for connections and the in-between moments.
If “unposed” makes you nervous (because someone still has to tell you what to do with your hands), my experience page fills in the gap. I talk about giving simple prompts and direction, things like where to stand for light, walking together, snuggling, or playful prompts that pull attention off the camera. The point is not zero direction. It’s direction that keeps your family moving and connected instead of frozen in place.
I also lean into a calmer presence. On my about page, I call myself an introvert and frame that as an advantage, less hype, more observing and catching small moments. For a lot of parents (and especially reluctant dads), that can feel like relief.
Pricing and what’s included
On Jeff’s investment page, pricing is laid out clearly, and “digitals included” is not a vague promise. He states that all collections include full digital files and unlimited print rights, with no hidden fees or upsells.
Here’s the collection structure he lists:
Simply Us ($795)
- 60-minute session, 1 location (beach, park, or in-home)
- 30–40 edited digital images
- Digital wardrobe guide
- 2-week turnaround
Beautifully Us ($1,195)
- 90-minute session, up to 2 locations
- 60–75 edited digital images
- Personal wardrobe consultation (15 minutes, call or email)
- Session prep guide
- $100 print credit
- 10-day turnaround
Forever Us ($1,595)
- 2-hour extended session, up to 3 locations or multiple outfit changes
- 100+ edited digital images (full gallery)
- Full wardrobe consultation (30-minute video call)
- Pre-session planning call
- Kids’ activity guide
- $200 print credit
- Priority 7-day turnaround
I also list that all collections include items like fully edited high-resolution digital files, unlimited print rights, a private online gallery with slideshow, and a weather backup plan.
How booking works (step by step)
My pricing page spells out the booking flow in a way that’s easy to follow:
- Say hi: you message him with who’s in your family, the kind of session you’re thinking about, and your timeframe.
- Pick a date and reserve it: he notes you’ll sign a contract and pay a 50% retainer to hold your spot (with the remainder due one week before the session on that page).
- Plan and prep: you’ll receive prep and styling guidance, and you can send outfit photos if you want input.
- Session day: you show up and focus on being together while he handles the direction and light.
- Gallery delivery: he delivers via a private online gallery where you can download and share images, and (if you want) order prints.
For the mom who’s carrying the mental load, the main benefit here is that you’re not inventing a plan from scratch. It’s already built in.
What a session day actually looks like
My description of session day is intentionally realistic. I expect snacks, wiggles, sandy feet, and at least one “moment.”
My role:
- meet your kids so he’s not “a stranger with a giant camera”
- find good light and guide you into it
- give simple prompts (walk, cuddle, tickle, sway) rather than constant “smile at the camera” direction
Your role:
- interact with your kids
- let them move
- stay close, instead of trying to manage perfect behavior
This is helpful if you’ve done a session before where you spent the whole time whisper-threatening “please just cooperate” through clenched teeth. My approach is built around movement and connection, which naturally gives kids something to do.
A Real-life vignette
A typical moment in a lifestyle session looks less like “stand here, tilt your chin, say cheese” and more like this:
You’re walking a shaded stretch of sand near sunset. One kid is collecting shells, the other is doing laps around you. Your partner starts out stiff, hands in pockets. I give one simple direction, “Walk toward me and talk about your favorite ice cream,” then let the conversation take over. Ten seconds later, your youngest decides they must be held. Nobody panics. You scoop them up, your partner leans in, and the photo you end up loving most is the one you didn’t plan. (This kind of prompting and “real life is fine” approach is how best to describe my sessions.)
What if your kid melts down or the weather shifts
What if my kid melts down?
I address this directly in multiple places: I expects big feelings, wiggles, snack drama, and kids who do not “perform” on command. My plan, as described, is to keep direction simple, use movement and games, capture in-between moments while kids reset, and take breaks when needed.
If your kid is shy, clingy, or wild, I frame that as normal, not a session-ruiner.
What if Florida weather does its thing?
On the investment page, I have a weather backup plan and I reschedule when conditions are pouring, stormy, or dangerously hot, and note I keep backup slots for this. On my mini sessions page, I also mention weather monitoring, shade-forward locations, and clear reschedule policies for tighter mini-session scheduling.
If Florida weather is stressing you out, I’ve got a plan. We’ll go over how I monitor it, when I make the call to reschedule, and what the backup options are for your session.
Who Jeff Jansen Photography is a great fit for (and who he might not be)
Jeff is likely a strong match if:
- you want family photos that feel like real life, not a staged version of it
- you want clear pricing with digital files included and print rights spelled out
- your kids need movement, breaks, and prompts that don’t rely on “smile nicely”
- you’d rather be gently guided than heavily posed
He might not be the best fit if:
- you want every image to be traditional, posed, and perfectly coordinated
- you expect heavy retouching or body-changing edits
- you want a studio-driven look versus natural light outdoors or in-home sessions
That clarity can save you a lot of decision fatigue, because the goal is not to force a fit. It’s to choose the experience you’ll actually enjoy.
Checklist
- Choose a session type based on your kids’ attention span (shorter for quick updates, longer for warm-up time).
- Plan breathable outfits that you can move in, and avoid loud logos or patterns.
- Pack wipes, water, and a small snack as a reset tool.
- Bring one backup outfit for toddlers if you’re doing an outdoor session.
- Arrive early enough to breathe (rushing shows up on everyone’s faces).
- Set expectations for kids: “We’re going to play and cuddle,” not “You have to behave.”
- Decide in advance who is on “snack and water” duty so mom isn’t doing everything.
- If you’re doing in-home newborn photos, don’t deep clean. Think “clear one or two spots near good light.”
FAQ
Do we get the digital files?
Yes.Eevery collection includes all edited digital files, plus unlimited print rights.
Will my husband hate this?
My approach is designed to be lower-pressure, with simple prompts and less forced “look at the camera” direction.
What if my kids don’t cooperate?
I expect that, and using movement, games, breaks, and capturing the in-between moments while kids reset.
Can we print wherever we want?
Yup unlimited print rights in all collections.
When will we get our gallery?
7–14 days
If my “real life, lightly guided, calm direction” approach sounds like what your family needs, start by sending a short message with your kids’ ages, what you want the photos for, and the timeframe you’re considering having them done so I can point you toward the best session fit. Or use the button below to take a short quiz to determine what will work best for you.