Your Portrait Photography Experience

The Jeff Jansen Photography Experience
Warm, kid-led, slightly chaotic (in the best way)
If you’re picturing stiff poses, forced smiles, and your kids being told to “stand still and behave” for an hour… that’s not what we’re doing here.
A session with me is more like:
-
an evening walk on the beach,
-
a backyard adventure,
-
or a cozy afternoon at home—
where a quiet, introverted guy with a camera just happens to be hanging out, watching for the good stuff.
My job is to chase the light, anticipate the moments, and give you enough direction so you feel comfortable—while your family gets to be exactly who you are.
What Working Together Looks Like
1. Reach Out
You send me a quick message telling me:
-
Who’s in your crew
-
What kind of session you’re thinking about (beach, park, in-home, newborn, etc.)
-
A rough idea of timing (month, weekday/weekend, sunset/sunrise)
I’ll respond with:
-
Which session type fits you best
-
A few date options
-
Any initial ideas for location based on your family and kids’ ages
No pressure, no weird sales pitch. Just a human conversation.
2. Reserve Your Date
Once we’ve picked a session:
-
You’ll get a simple online contract
-
You’ll pay a retainer to officially reserve your spot
-
The remaining balance is due closer to your session
After that, I’ll send over:
-
A Prep & Styling Guide (what to wear, what to bring, how to prep kids)
-
Location suggestions if we haven’t finalized that yet
-
Answers to any questions you have about your tiny humans and their moods
3. Plan the Details (Without Overthinking It)
Together we’ll choose:
-
Location – beach, park, in-home… or a combo if your session type allows
-
Time of day – usually sunrise or sunset for that soft, golden Tampa light
-
Vibe – more cuddly and calm, more playful and wild, or a mix of both
You’re welcome to send me:
-
Outfit ideas
-
“I love this vibe” inspiration
-
“Please avoid this” notes
You don’t need to send me a 30-image Pinterest board of poses. I promise I’ve got you.
On Session Day
You don’t have to show up “perfect.”
Realistic expectations:
-
At least one kid will need a snack.
-
Someone will get sandy, wet, or both.
-
There might be a mini meltdown (possibly from the adults).
All of that is normal and fine.
What I do
-
I’ll meet you, say hi to the kids so they know I’m not a stranger with a giant camera.
-
I’ll find the light and guide you into it: “Let’s start over here,” “Walk this way,” “Snuggle up on this blanket.”
-
I’ll give you simple prompts:
-
“Walk toward me and talk about your favorite ice cream.”
-
“Tickle them until everyone is laughing.”
-
“Sway like you’re rocking them to sleep.”
-
I’m not going to bark orders or force anyone to “smile at the camera” every 10 seconds. We’ll get a few “everyone looking” images, but most of the magic happens in the in-between moments.
What you do
-
Love on your kids.
-
Interact with each other.
-
Let the kids run, explore, cling, climb, and be themselves.
-
Take a breath and try to enjoy this tiny pocket of time where your only job is to be together.
What If My Kids Don’t Cooperate?
Short answer: they will… in their own way.
Longer answer:
-
I genuinely like kids, especially the young, slightly feral ones.
-
I expect big feelings, wiggles, and strong opinions about snacks, shoes, and who gets carried.
-
When things get chaotic, I lean into games, movement, and moments—not more pressure.
If someone needs a break, we take one. Some of the best images happen when a kid buries their face in your chest or insists on being held.
Your kids don’t need to be “easy” for this to work. They just need to be themselves.
For In-Home & Newborn Sessions
In-home and newborn sessions are slower and softer by design.
-
I’ll start by walking through your space and finding the best light.
-
We’ll stick to a few key spots: living room, master bed, nursery, or a favorite corner.
-
If baby needs to eat, be changed, or just be held for a while, we pause. No stress, no rush.
I’m there to document:
-
The way you hold them.
-
The way their tiny hand curls around your finger.
-
The way siblings climb all over you on the couch.
-
The quiet, ordinary moments that feel like everything to you.
Your home doesn’t need to look like a magazine. If there’s good light and love, we’re set.
After Your Session
The Edit
Once we’re done, I:
-
Go through all the images we created
-
Keep the best (no one needs 100 versions of the same photo)
-
Hand-edit them in my warm, natural style
You can expect:
-
Short & Sweet sessions: a smaller, curated set
-
Signature & Newborn sessions: a full, story-driven gallery
The Gallery
Within about 3–4 weeks, you’ll receive:
-
A link to your private online gallery
-
The ability to:
-
Download your included images
-
Upgrade or purchase extras if needed
-
Order prints and products from pro labs (or print on your own, if you prefer)
-
You can share the gallery with grandparents, post to socials, and start figuring out which photos get wall space and which ones live in an album.
Is This the Right Experience for You?
This is probably for you if:
-
You want photos that feel like real life, not a staged version of your family.
-
You’re okay with a little chaos, some sand, and hair that might not stay perfectly in place.
-
You like the idea of a calm, observant photographer who will quietly guide you instead of hype-shouting for an hour.
-
You’re sentimental (even if you pretend you’re not) and want to remember what this season actually felt like.
This might not be your thing if:
-
You want everyone perfectly posed and smiling at the camera in every image.
-
You’re expecting heavy retouching, body-changing, or ultra-traditional studio work.
-
You’re not a fan of natural light or outdoor / in-home sessions.
If you’re reading this thinking, “Okay, this actually sounds like us,” then we’re probably a good fit.
Share who’s in your crew, what kind of session you’re dreaming about, and when you’d love to make it happen—and I’ll take it from there.