Salt Lake City Family Photographer For All Seasons Of Life
If you’ve ever scrolled back through your camera roll looking for a decent photo of your whole family together and come up empty, you already know why this matters. Life moves fast. Kids grow up in a blink, the baby you swore you’d never forget the smell of is suddenly asking for the car keys, and somewhere in between, nobody stopped to take a real picture.
That’s where I come in. As a Salt Lake City family photographer, I’m not here to just line everyone up and count to three. I’m here to capture what your family actually looks like. The hand-holding, the piggyback rides, the way your little girl looks at her big sister when she thinks no one’s watching. That’s the stuff that matters ten years from now, and it’s the stuff I chase every single session.
Family Photography That Feels Like You
Real families are loud, a little chaotic, and endlessly lovable, and the best family photos show exactly that. My approach blends relaxed, candid storytelling with a handful of classic, polished poses (yes, you’ll still get your “mantle shot” for the living room wall). It’s the mix that makes a gallery feel complete: images you’ll frame, and images that make you laugh every time you scroll past them.
Whether your family is just the two of you and a very good dog, a full house with three littles under six, or a big multi-generational crew flying in for the holidays, I tailor each session to fit your people. Smaller families get room to breathe and focus on connection. Bigger groups get a photographer who knows how to wrangle a little chaos into something joyful. I promise, I’ve seen it all.
Karisa was great to work with! My husband and I have two little boys who do not hold still at all, but she did a great job working with us and capturing sweet moments of our family. She was also great with communication, punctuality, and quick turn-around of our pictures. We’ll definitely be using her services again for our family.
KRISTEN V, GOOGLE REVIEW
“Mini” Family Session
Starting at $150
- Perfect for holiday cards!
- Session is 10 minutes
- 15 edited images
- $75 non-refundable deposit to book
- Remainder due the day before the session
- Travel fees applicable if 35+ miles from West Jordan
“Full” Family Session
Starting at $325
- Less than 10 people
- Session typically lasts 60 minutes
- 50+ edited images
- $100 non-refundable deposit to book
- Remainder due the day before the session
- Travel fees applicable if 35+ miles from West Jordan
“Extended” Family Session
Starting at $450
- 10+ people
- Session typically lasts 60 minutes
- 70+ edited images
- $100 non-refundable deposit to book
- Remainder due the day before the session
- Travel fees applicable if 35+ miles from West Jordan
What a Session With Me Looks Like
I like my clients to feel comfortable and know exactly what to expect before we ever meet up, so there’s no guessing or last-minute stress on the day of your shoot.
We pick a location that fits your family.
Salt Lake City has an incredible range of favorite locations, and I’ll help you choose the one that actually fits your family’s personality and your kids’ patience levels.
We work around real life.
Naptimes, work schedules, toddler meltdown windows — I offer a flexible schedule because I know family life doesn’t run on a strict timeline.
We chase candid, not stiff.
I’ll give gentle, patient direction to get you started, but the real magic happens right after. The giggle, the tickle, the “okay, one more” that turns into the best shot in the gallery.
We keep it easy
Whether it’s a quick hour-long session with a fussy newborn in the mix or a relaxed afternoon with your whole extended family, my goal is a process that feels easy and fun from start to finish, not one more thing on your to-do list.
Karisa was fantastic! My family and I had a blast doing our outdoor, mural photo shoot. It was quick, painless, and super fun. She even got the photos back to us within days and they all look great. If you’re looking for a fun, easy going, and professional photographer, then please use Karisa Marie Photography.
NICK M, GOOGLE REVIEW
Favorite Family Photo Locations in Salt Lake City
One of my favorite parts of working as a Salt Lake City family photographer is knowing exactly where the light hits right and where a two-year-old can run wild without wrecking the shot. A few of my go-to Salt Lake City spots:
- Liberty Park — Lush lawns, mature trees, and a pond that makes for gorgeous reflections. Easy parking and plenty of room for kids to burn off energy between photos.
- Memory Grove Park — Tucked-away and quiet, with a mix of greenery and historic architecture that gives images a timeless, storybook feel.
- Sugar House Park — Wide-open fields with mountain views as your backdrop. A local favorite for a reason.
- Red Butte Garden — Colorful, layered, and genuinely beautiful in every season (a photography permit is required here).
- This Is The Place Heritage Park — Great for families who want a little more history and texture in the details of their photos.
- In-home and studio sessions — For families with newborns, small children, or anyone who’d simply rather snuggle up somewhere familiar, I also offer in-home sessions right in your living room or kitchen, and studio sessions when Salt Lake City weather doesn’t want to cooperate.
Not sure which spot fits your family? That’s exactly what our pre-session chat is for. I photograph families all across the Wasatch Front and beyond in Utah.
Is Your Family Currently Growing?
Whether you’re announcing a pregnancy, counting down the weeks until your baby arrives, or celebrating those first snuggly days with your newborn, I’d love to help you document every chapter of your family’s story.
I offer maternity photography for expecting parents, couples, families, and even pets who are excited to welcome a new addition. After your little one arrives, I also offer baby-led newborn photography focused on capturing tiny details and the love your growing family shares.
If you’re planning ahead, ask about booking both sessions together, or explore my dedicated maternity photography and newborn photography pages to learn more.
Karisa did amazing capturing our family! While our family can be somewhat awkward she made us feel comfortable during the shoot. She got our images to us very quickly as well. Thanks again, we will for sure reach out for future needs!
CHELSEA C, GOOGLE REVIEW
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is a family photography session?
Most sessions run about an hour, but I can absolutely work with less time if you’ve got small children who tend to get fussy or have a shorter attention span. Every family is unique, so your session length and pace are tailored around what actually works for you.
How long until we get our photos?
Turnaround is typically around one week and always under two weeks. I know the wait can feel long when you’re excited to see your images, so I work to get your gallery back to you quickly.
Where do sessions take place?
Wherever fits your family best. I’ve done in-home sessions with small children playing in the living room or coloring at the kitchen table, studio sessions when the weather is cold or unpredictable, and outdoor sessions out in beautiful Utah nature. We’ll find the type of session that matches your family’s personality.
What if my kids won’t cooperate or sit still? That’s genuinely most sessions, and it’s okay. I’m patient, I move quickly, and some of the best, most authentic moments happen in between the posed shots — not during them.
Do you offer packages?|
Yes, I offer a range of photography packages to fit different family sizes and budgets. Reach out and I’ll help you find the right fit.
Why Local Families Choose Karisa Marie Photography
I’m not trying to be everyone’s photographer. I’m trying to be the right Salt Lake City family photographer for families who want images that feel like them: genuine and real. My clients consistently tell me the same thing: they walked away with more than pretty pictures. They walked away with a gallery that made them feel something they’ll cherish for years.
We have never took family photos before and Karisa did a phenomenal job! We didn’t really know what to do and Karisa did great at helping with location, how to pose etc. I couldn’t be happier with how they turned out. Highly recommend!
JEN P, GOOGLE REVIEW
Book Your Salt Lake Family Photography Session Now
Ready to book your session and capture a moment in time with your family? Reach out to Karisa Marie Photography today to get started.
