Orlando Family Photographer

Nobody in your family wants to do this. That is fine. Nobody in most families does.

The kids would rather be anywhere else, somebody's spouse agreed to it under protest, and you are the one who has been meaning to get it done for two years. I know, because that is who books me.

Here is what I can promise. It will be shorter and easier than you are picturing, nobody will have to hold a pose, and the photos will look like your actual family on a good afternoon. Not a catalog. You.

How a Session With Me Actually Goes

I get the formal frame first. Everybody in, everybody looking, eyes open. That is the one for the wall and the holiday card, and I want it done in the first ten minutes while the youngest person still has patience.

After that, the session stops being a photo shoot. I give your family easy things to do. Walk toward me. Race to that tree. Whisper something to your sister. Those are the frames where the real faces come out, and they are the ones you will still be looking at in ten years.

You do not need to direct anyone. That is my job, and I am better at being the annoying one than you are, because your kids have not learned to tune me out yet.

Where We Can Shoot

Most families pick one of these, and I am glad to recommend based on ages and how far people can walk.

Downtown Winter Garden. Brick streets, shade, a fountain, and enough variety inside two blocks that small kids never have to walk far. The plaza Christmas tree goes up in December if you want a holiday look without a studio.

Winter Park. Central Park and Park Avenue, the rose garden, the stone pergola, and Kraft Azalea Gardens on the lake. More of a stroll, better for families with older kids.

Lake Louisa State Park in Clermont. Open fields, cypress, sand and water, and the best golden hour I know of within an hour of Orlando. It is also the easiest place to fit a very large group. It is a state park, so there is an entrance fee at the gate.

Bok Tower Gardens in Lake Wales. Live oaks and Spanish moss, a long reflecting pool, and formal gardens. Worth the drive when you want something that does not look like everyone else's photos.

Your resort, if you are visiting. Some resorts around Orlando allow photo sessions on their grounds and some do not. Disney's resorts do not. If you want photos where you are staying, ask the resort or ask me while we are planning, before the date is set, and I will tell you what is possible.

Your home. Underrated. A new baby, grandparents who are not up for the heat, or a house you are about to move out of are all good reasons to keep it inside.

Three Generations, One Week

When the whole family is in town for the one week a year it happens, that photo is the priority and I plan the session around it.

The full group goes first, while everybody is fresh. Then I work down through the combinations: each family unit, all the grandkids together, the grandparents on their own, the siblings, whatever matters to you. Send me the list of groupings ahead of time and I will have it in my pocket so nobody has to think on the day.

What a Family Session Includes

Family sessions start at $400, outdoors or in your home.

Every gallery comes with high-resolution digital files and no cap on downloads. Most photographers give you a set number and charge for more. I do not. You get all the best frames from the session, professionally edited, and you download some or all of them. Your call.

The online gallery lets you share with family and order prints directly. Your gallery is ready within three weeks, and I usually beat that.

Travel outside the Orlando metro may add a fee. I will tell you before you book, not after.

Sessions are available in English or Spanish, whichever your family is more comfortable in.

What to Wear

Coordinate, do not match. Pick two or three colors that work together and let everyone dress inside that range. Soft, muted tones photograph better than bright saturated ones, and plain beats logos and busy patterns every time.

Dress for Florida. If we are outdoors in July, a heavy sweater will show in everyone's face. And check the kids' shoes before you leave the house. They end up in more photos than you would think.

If you want a second opinion on outfits, send me a photo the day before. I will tell you what I see.

Booking Windows That Matter

October and November book solid for holiday cards. If you want fall photos, reach out in August or September, not October.

March and April are the underrated months. The weather is comfortable, everything is green, and the calendar is wide open.

Summer works if we shoot early, around 7:30 in the morning, or in the last hour before sunset. Midday in Florida is not a photo, it is a squint.

What Parents Say

“We had the best experience with David Stella Photography for my daughter's 5th birthday photo shoot! David was open to my ideas for what I wanted to capture of my daughter's personality and both he and his assistant Gail made her feel completely comfortable which allowed her to shine in the photos! He also delivered the gallery to me very quickly!”

KRISTIN C. · GOOGLE REVIEW

“David was FANTASTIC! He makes you feel so comfortable and takes his time to get the best shot. He is very professional and highly skilled at what he does. His turnaround time for your photos is really fast too. I highly recommend David Stella Photography for all of your photo needs- family, wedding, business professional he's the best.”

ASHLEY + JONATHAN · GOOGLE REVIEW

Read all of them on the reviews page or on Google.

Questions Parents Ask Before Booking

What if my kids will not cooperate?

They will not, and I plan for it. The formal frame happens first, before anyone is tired of me, and after that the session runs on movement and games rather than sitting still. A kid who refuses to smile on command will usually laugh at a race. Feed everyone before we start and book around the nap, not around your calendar.

What time of day is best?

The last hour and a half before sunset for most families. Early morning for families with kids under five, who are at their best before ten. Midday is the one window I will steer you away from.

How many people can you fit?

Big groups are welcome. Twenty people by a lake is a session I have done more than once. The only thing that changes is the location, since a large group needs open space, and I will point you to the right spot.

Do you do sessions at home?

Yes, and family sessions are the same starting price indoors or out. A new baby, a grandparent who should not be out in the heat, or a house you are about to leave are all good reasons to stay inside. Window light and a tidy corner are all we need.

Do you photograph maternity?

Yes, outdoors or at home. Maternity sessions are quoted individually, so tell me what you have in mind and I will send a real number.

What is the cancellation policy?

Written notice at least 3 days before the session to cancel or reschedule. Florida weather is the usual reason, and I would rather move the date than shoot in the rain.

More questions are answered on the FAQ page.

Get It on the Calendar

Tell me how many people, the ages of the youngest, and the month you are thinking about. I will suggest a location and a time and hold the date.

David Stella Photography

Orlando and Central Florida

321.475.7792

Contact me · See pricing · Read how to get family photos your kids will not hate