Mother and teenage son photo sessions are underrated as hell

I've photographed D before, but this was our first time doing family portraits together. We decided on a forest session at Hamlin Park in Shoreline - keeping it local and exploring a new place in the Seattle area. And holy shit, D and R were amazing. They met up with me the day after traveling, which is brave as fuck. Most people need at least 24 hours to recover from a trip, but these two showed up ready to make some art in the woods. And then it started to rain towards the end of our session! Again, these two are badass.

Here's what I loved about this mother and teenage son photo session: D and R are genuinely sweet individuals and towards one another. I got to see D in her mom role, supporting her son, which was so beautiful. And R? What a kind person. He was willing to pose, try new things, and even sit on a wet mossy log for the right photo. That's commitment. That's trust. That's what makes Seattle family portrait sessions actually work: when people show up as themselves and trust the process, even if it means having a wet butt.

This is what body positive family photography looks like in practice. It's not just about size or shape: t's about everyone in the family feeling comfortable, supported, and celebrated exactly as they are today. D supporting her teenage son. R being willing to be photographed during that preteen phase when most kids would rather die than be in front of a camera. Both of them showing up tired from traveling but still present, still engaged, still there for each other. Yes please! Family portraits should capture who you actually are together, not some perfect version you think you're supposed to be.

Hamlin Park in Shoreline gave us exactly what we needed: mossy logs, ferns everywhere, big trees, forest vibes, and enough natural beauty to make everyone look good without trying too hard. If you're in the Seattle area and you've been thinking about doing a mother and son photo session (or any family portraits, really) stop overthinking it. Show up. Trust your photographer. Be willing to sit on a wet log if that's what it takes. The artwork that lasts a lifetime will be worth it!