A note on privacy: I never share my clients’ real names online. This is a true story, shared with the family’s blessing, but “the Hansens” is a name I chose to protect their privacy.
Are family photos with kids in Omaha always this stressful? If you’re picturing a toddler melting down and a husband who’d rather be anywhere else, I understand. But it doesn’t have to be that way, and it gets easier every time. One family taught me that better than anyone. This is their story, five sessions in.
In this post
The first session: a new baby, a big brother and a big question
The Hansens first reached out for a newborn session. They had a brand new baby girl and the sweetest big brother you’ve ever met. At the time, I didn’t have my own studio yet, so we rented a space for their session.
As a military family, they had moved here from another state, where they’d had newborn portraits taken with their son. Mom’s biggest worry wasn’t the session itself. It was the artwork. Would it be as beautiful as what they already had? Would it match the album sitting at home?
Dad had a worry of his own, and he said it more than once: he didn’t know how to be in photos. He felt awkward and said so all session long.
Then came the moment I’ll never forget. Dad knelt beside his son and gently guided him as he held his baby sister. A strong father teaching his little boy how to care for and protect this tiny girl they both already loved. I can’t fully put into words what it felt like to watch that unfold. I just made sure I captured it.
Why they came back, again and again
Mom’s worry about the artwork disappeared at their reveal. Since then, the Hansens have collected multiple heirloom albums, custom commissioned artwork and a framed fine art print. They tell me what keeps them coming back is the artwork, the attention to detail, how I am with their kids, and the way each session tells the next chapter of their story.
And Dad? After that first session, I have never once heard him say he feels awkward in photos. He walks in, trusts the process and is a team player. At their most recent reveal, he told me his skin often looks uneven to him in photos, and that whatever I do makes him feel completely at ease with how he looks. Hearing that from a dad who once dreaded the camera meant the world to me.
Five sessions, one story
Over the years, the Hansens and I have documented:
- Their newborn session, in that rented space, with big brother holding his sister.
- A milestone session as their baby girl grew.
- A family session.
- A military retirement session, with Mom and Dad in uniform alongside their kids, honoring the military story woven through their whole family’s life.
- A family Christmas session, just two weeks later.
That last one wasn’t planned. A last-minute scheduling mix-up left them without anyone for their holiday photos, and they called me. Every experience in my studio is built around the family in front of me, and that freedom to customize is exactly why I could make room for them.
If you’re a military family stationed in Omaha, here’s more about photography for Offutt AFB families. As a long-time Air Force family ourselves, this part of the Hansens’ story is especially close to my heart.
Why family photos with kids get easier every time
Here’s what surprised even me. Each session with the Hansens has gotten easier, and it isn’t because the kids are older. It’s because they know me. The studio is familiar. It has become a second home.
At their last two sessions, the kids walked in and knew exactly what to do. They knew there would be treats for listening. They knew they’d get breaks to play with all the toys in the studio and come back refreshed. Their two-year-old daughter kept asking me to hold her. Their son brought me a gift from home: a little Air Force coin, chosen just for me.
That kind of trust can’t be rushed, and it shows in the photos. When children feel safe and at home, the real joy comes through. The images that come from a session like that aren’t stiff poses. They’re a brother and sister who adore each other, laughing on the studio floor.
This is exactly why I created the Session Collective: three sessions in one year, so your family builds that familiarity and your story is told chapter by chapter.
The artwork that tells their story
After their latest session, Mom sent me this message about one of the new images:
“Oh my goodnessssssss my hearrrrrrrrt! The joyyyyyyy in this photo and the storytelling from the previous session.”
That’s the heart of it. Each session connects to the last. The newborn photo of big brother holding his sister becomes even more meaningful next to the photo of them laughing together years later. Printed in heirloom albums and fine art on Hahnemühle archival papers, their story will be there for their children’s children.
Let’s start your family’s story
If you’ve been putting off family photos with kids in Omaha because you’re worried about how your little ones will do, or someone in your family hates the camera, I’d love to show you how different it can feel. My studio is in Omaha, near 108th and Q Street, and I welcome families from across the Omaha metro and Lincoln, by appointment. You can see more of my work on my Omaha family photography page.
Inquire about your family session →
Frequently asked questions about family photos with kids in Omaha
What if my kids won’t cooperate during family photos?
It’s completely normal. Sessions include breaks to play, treats for listening and plenty of patience. Kids relax more each time they visit the studio, which is why families who return often find each session easier than the last.
My husband hates being photographed. Will he be comfortable?
Many partners feel awkward at first. With gentle direction and a relaxed pace, most stop thinking about the camera within minutes, and they love how they look in the finished artwork.
How often should we have family photos taken?
Many families come back as their children grow, such as for a newborn, a first-year milestone and an annual family session. The Session Collective includes three sessions in one year.
Do you share clients’ names online?
No. Virginia Schultz Photography never shares clients’ real names publicly. Stories shared on the blog are real, but names are changed to protect each family’s privacy.
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