Family Lifestyle Photography

San Francisco Bay Area

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Capturing the Longest Shortest Time

One minute you’re gazing at a tiny baby, marveling in reverence.

The next minute they’re running fast and speaking in full sentences.

Before long they’re teaching you how to use technology and doing their laundry unprompted.

These childhood years truly are the longest shortest time. I’m here to capture it for you, beautifully.

Mom blows bubbles for twin boys who chase are bubbles toward camera, shot at Ring Mountain in Marin.
Three girls in nay blue dresses jump on a couch in front of a colorful wall of shelved books.
Family of four stands, holding hands, in front of reflective pool of water at the Embarcadero in San Francisco.
Overhead shot of boy and girl lying on grass and laughing while boy holds hand up toward the camera, partially obscuring face.

"Omg LOVE!!! Allison, thank you once again for working miracles. These are gorgeous." -Jodi P.

"Omg LOVE!!! Allison, thank you once again for working miracles. These are gorgeous." -Jodi P.

"We just looked and we love them-amazing how many great ones you capture! Already looking forward to next year!" -Kathie C

"We just looked and we love them-amazing how many great ones you capture! Already looking forward to next year!" -Kathie C

Choose Your Own Adventure

Family of four sitting outside on rocks with sunlight filtering through trees.

Quickie Outdoor Session

$1300 weekdays, $1450 weekends

  • 1-hour shoot at outdoor location in Bay Area

  • 80+ hand-edited best images from set w/ high-res download

  • $300 deposit due at booking, with balance paid on shoot date

  • Perfect for families who want annual seasonal documentation.

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Quickie Outdoor Sessions allow your family to frolic at a location that is special to you. Utilizing a lifestyle photography approach, I’ll gently direct your family into the prettiest light and most compelling compositions. You can snuggle up and keep things calm, or you can run, laugh, tickle, and dance to heart’s content. These one-hour sessions allow enough time for portraits and candids, yet go by quickly enough that your toddler won’t run out of steam.

Dad swinging daughter around under an oak tree while son looks on.

Quickie Home Session

$1200 weekdays, $1350 weekends

  • 1-hour shoot at home

  • 80+ hand-edited best images from set w/ high-res download

  • $300 deposit due at booking, with balance paid on shoot date

  • Perfect for families who want the comfort and ease of having their session at home.

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For families that feel most comfortable at home, Quickie Home Sessions are a wonderful way to add a more narrative element to your session. The rooms you live in tell your family’s story and I lovingly capture that for you. Home sessions tend to be more candid in nature, though we always make time for a few portraits. These one-hour sessions are often best for families with multiple young children. And no, your home doesn’t need to be perfect.

Family playing mini golf at Stagecoach Greens and laughing.

Family Adventure Session

$1600 weekdays, $1750 weekends

  • 2-hour shoot at home and/or outdoor location in Bay Area

  • 130+ hand-edited best images from set w/ high-res download

  • $300 deposit due at booking, with balance paid on shoot date

  • Perfect for families who want to capture their family’s hobbies and traditions.

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Don’t let the word ‘adventure’ scare you off - family adventuring can be as simple as baking cookies at home or jumping in the pool. You decide what feels like a family adventure and we make it one. These sessions can lean toward a lifestyle approach or can be pure documentary - it’s all up to you. Wild, weird, and messy are more than welcome!

Mother and daughter stand in window, backlit, with white gauzy curtain outlining them.
Two young girls stand in tall, golden grass, hugging and smiling, shot in the Marin Headlands.
Mom and dad gaze at baby standing in living room wearing white jumper, shot in the Presidio of San Francisco.
Shadow outline on concrete of family of four, with fallen leaves around them.

"We absolutely love all of these photos of our family - thank you, thank you again!!!" Laura B.

"We absolutely love all of these photos of our family - thank you, thank you again!!!" Laura B.

"I can’t say thank you enough. You do magic with your camera capturing the laughter and love in our family.." -Ellen B.

"I can’t say thank you enough. You do magic with your camera capturing the laughter and love in our family.." -Ellen B.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Lifestyle photography sits right between documentary photography and traditional portraits. Lifestyle photography holds the sweet spot where your family can be relaxed, playful, and connected, while I make sure the light, composition, and overall storytelling feel intentional and beautiful. You can read more about what a lifestyle session feels like here.

  • Outdoor sessions happen early morning or late afternoon, and home sessions can happen any time of day. You can read all how tim of day affects light quality here.

  • Yes! I give you guidance on best colors, fabrics, patterns, and how to coordinate your look with family members, including a Pinterest board that has style examples specific to family sessions. I also give personalized feedback over text when you send me snapshots of your outfit ideas.

  • If you have one decent-sized window, it’s enough. Really, nearly any home can be a great home for photos. It doesn’t need to be spotless. It doesn’t need to be styled. It just needs some window light and a family willing to be themselves.

  • When you schedule a session, I send you a booking form with a contract and request for your deposit. All bookings require a $300 deposit to be confirmed. Once confirmed, I send you a prep guide, questionnaire, and we start planning your shoot - including location, outfis, and your priorities for the session.

  • Once your booking is confirmed, I provide you with a thorough prep guide, including tips on what to wear. In addition, we stay in contact via email, text, and phone so you arrive at your session relaxed and knowing what to expect.

  • I tell families it will take 1-2 weeks but about 95% of the time, I’m able to get your images to you within 1 week. All the images in your gallery will be lovingly edited to enhance color, light, shadow, and skin tones.

  • Yes! Your images are delivered to you in a beautiful, user-friendly private gallery that allows you to download your images in high-res. This allows you to make prints of any size. Your gallery will also have a custom print shop for anyone who wants the convenience of ordering fine art prints and print products directly from their gallery.

Browse the portfolio below to see what your family could look like…

Teen siblings stand in tall stands of anise stalks at sunset, shot at the Albany Bulb.
Family of four stand on stone wall at Sutro Baths in San Francisco, while sun sets behind and birds fly overhead.
Toddler girl eats scrambled eggs off blue plate while sister pokes her from behind, shot during a home session.
Natural-light portrait of girl with long curly hair in white dress, standing with hands above head.
Blond girl sits between parents while they kiss the sides of her head while the sun sets behind them.
Mom smiles at tween daughters while stead in front of colorful market mural in Alameda.
Girl in flowered sweatshirt, holding feather toward camera while parents stand behind her, shot at Ocean Beach in San Francisco.
Family silhouette spelling the word LOVE against a sunset, shot at Albany Bulb during a family photo shoot.
Young girl in striped dress spins mirror ball while light dances around room.
Mom and daughter wear flowered dresses in garden at Fort Mason in San Francisco.
Two young boys cuddle on couch while mom billows a polka dotted blanket above their heads, shot during family photo session at home.
Over the shoulder shot of girl in white cotton dress stands in the surf at Rodeo Beach.
Two brothers stand in autumn garden at sunset, making silly faces.
Twin boys ride skateboard in front of colorful mural in Balmy Alley in San Francisco.
Two sisters stand holding hands in bright sunlight as their shadows fall on the pavement.
Mom and dad hold baby on bridge among fall colors, shot at Wunderlich Park in Woodside, CA.
Family of four sit laughing on couch as sunlight pours into room, shot at home in San Francisco.
Family sits on kitchen counter, eating donuts during the family photos session at home.
Three sisters in orange pinafore dresses laugh at the Marin Art and Garden Center.
Mom and daughter jump in the surf at Rodeo Beach during family photo shoot in the Marin Headlands.
Siblings stand at pond's edge at Palace of Fine Arts wearing muted fall colors.
Couple walks along glassy surf during maternity session, holding hands at Ocean Beach with the historic Cliff House in the background.
Blonde woman in colorful dress sits with newborn baby on her knees in flower-filled garden during a newborn lifestyle session.
Fractal creative portrait of baby in cream sweater eating an orange.
Dad and son in sweaters sit on picnic table in front of reflective water at Lafayette Reservoir.
Family of five and their dog walk down steps toward camera in their landscaped garden during a family home session.
Girl wearing fairy wings walks away from camera in field of golden grass at Old Borgas Ranch in Walnut Creek.
Family with four little kids walk through the cactus garden during sunset at UC Berleley Botanical during family photography session.
Parents laugh and blow bubbles in nursery while seated baby grabs for bubbles during a family home session.
Woman laughs while riding piggy-back on fiancee during an engagement session at Ocean Beach.
Action shot of two sisters jumping on a trampoline during a family session at home.
Family of four dances in the dune grass at Ocean Beach in San Francisco.
Black and white action portrait of girl running while holding her hand up toward the camera while her hands casts a shadow across her face.
Family of four stand on stone wall at Sutro Ruins, while their reflection shines in water in front of them.
Overhead shot of twin boys lying on grass during a family session at San Francisco Botanical Garden, being tickled by their mom who is off camera.
Family snuggles and smiles at camera with setting sun and water behind them during a family session at Ocean Beach in San Francisco.
Mother and daughter gaze into each other's eyes while lying on blanket in backyard, taken family session in San Francisco.
Two sister with blond hair lean over camera making silly faces as the wind blows their hair, taken at Baker Beach in San Francisco.
Toddler girl gazes at camera and walks through field of flowers while mom holds both her hands, taken at a family session in Sebastopol.
Teenage siblings stand and lean into each other on back deck during a family home session.
Two brothers play wrestle against a black background during family photo shoot in San Francisco
Family of four stand on the roof of Fort Point, holding hands and smiling, taken during sunset family session in San Francisco.
Boy peers out window while mirror image is reflected in glass, taken during a family lifestyle session at the deYoung Museum in San Francisco.
Two brothers in light blue oxford shirts stand head to head with trees above them, shot from below in Palo Alto.
Couple stands embracing as man kisses woman on cheek during engagement session at the San Francisco Botanical Garden.
Siblings swing on a tire in backyard during a family session at home in Los Gatos.
Mom, dad, and little girl walk hand in hand along Baker Beach with the Golden Gate Bridge in the foggy background.
Baby stands and stares at camera while parents smile at her, from a family session at home in the Presidio, San Francisco.
Couple walks through field of yellow flowers in Berkeley, during a maternity session.
Teen girls sits in field of white flowers at sunset, taken during teen shoot in Orinda.
Happy, snuggly family of five sit on a blanket in an oak grove at the Portola Valley Town Center.
Boy hugs dad and peers over dad's shoulder and straight into camera with sun setting behind him, shot in the Presidio in San Francisco.
Profile shot of family of three running along water's edge with their bodies reflected in the surf at Ocean Beach in San Francisco.
Overhead shot of laughing family of mom and two kids lying on fuzzy blanket in grass at Ring Mountain Preserve in Tiburon.
Two small boys get dressed in their room with fun dad encouraging them, taken during a home session in San Francisco.
Boys peers out the window of blue front door, taken during a family home session in San Francisco.
Toddler girl in aqua blue dress peers up at camera with yellow autumn leaves at her feet, taken during outdoor family session in San Francisco.
Mom holds infant daughter and both have big smiles, surrounded by red blooms in Golden Gate Park.
Walking group portrait of whole family during an Extended Family Session in the Marin Headlands.

"Amazing per usual. And so fast! Sessions are so painless and fun with you. Thank you!" -Shirley T.

"Amazing per usual. And so fast! Sessions are so painless and fun with you. Thank you!" -Shirley T.

"Aaaaah I love the photos! Thank you so much, Allison! What a fun day you created - genuine smiles all around!" -Ruthie C

"Aaaaah I love the photos! Thank you so much, Allison! What a fun day you created - genuine smiles all around!" -Ruthie C

Woman holding camera and wearing all black stands on icy mountain and smiles

Allison Busch is a seasoned photographer serving families across the San Francisco Bay Area.

Hey, there! I’m Allison! I’ve been offering my signature style of flattering, natural light photographs that evoke real emotion since 2011.

Got a wild kid? An awkward husband? A shy teenager? I LOVE making photos for families who think their particular family will be a tough one to make look good. It’s fun to prove them wrong. 😉

I’d love to make photographs for your family! Online self-scheduling is available, or we can chat by phone before you book. It’s easy either way.

GET IN TOUCH
Family adventure session in tall grass in San Francisco with boy smiling at camera while dad hugs him from behind.
Two girls in pink heart pajamas help mom with baking at home in kitchen.
Family of four climbs over rocks at Rodeo Beach in the Marin Headlands.
Overhead shot of family playing with colorful wooden train set, at home in San Francisco.

"Thank you! They are beautiful as always. And you do such a great job capturing the boys at their current age." -Mara Z.

"Thank you! They are beautiful as always. And you do such a great job capturing the boys at their current age." -Mara Z.

"Thank you for sharing these so quickly. We had a blast last weekend - the whole session was so fun and stress-free. " -Sree K

"Thank you for sharing these so quickly. We had a blast last weekend - the whole session was so fun and stress-free. " -Sree K

FREEBIE

Take Better Photos NOW!

Do you want to take better or more meaningful photos of your family? Do you wish your photos had more feeling to them? Are you curious about the basics of photography? You can download my FREE guide to taking better photos right now (with any kind of camera - yes a phone camera counts!).

GIMME, GIMME, GIMME