I started my career 17 years ago with a maternity photo of my dear friend Ginger.  We shot three rolls of film and ended up with one perfect photo that we both loved.  I used that one photo to launch my business.  It was the face of Sandra Coan Photography for years.  

Back then, it was common for a person to go into a photo studio with the expectation of getting one great photo.  Over the years, that expectation has changed.  Now it's more common for people to come in for a session and expect 50 great photos.  And while I totally get it (I love all the photos too) I would argue that there is power in just one great image.  

The Problem With Many Photos

Here is how I see it.  When you have many photos, they are often times forgotten.  They sit in your cloud storage.  Maybe a few, if they are lucky, will end up on Facebook or on your Holiday card.  But most of the time, all those photos are never seen.  They get lost.  And I think that is a shame.

The Power Of One Photo

When you have one photo however, the dynamic shifts.  It becomes special and the way you look at it changes.  You hang it on your wall.  You share it with your family.  It becomes an heirloom for future generations. 

When you have just one photo, the photo becomes a story in and of itself.  It tells us something about the person and who they are in that moment.  It becomes a portrait in the truest sense of the word.

What You Can Expect From Me

When you come in for a photoshoot with me, I will take lots of photos and give you many to choose from.  But my goal is that you will find one GREAT one.  One that will become your story, your heirloom.  One that you will hang on your wall.

My goal is to create a portrait.  It's what I love to do.  And I can't wait to do it for you.

That's right! Santa is back in Seattle!

This year, we will be hosting Santa (and maybe even a few of his elves...) on November 25 in the studio for a full day of mini sessions with the big guy. These magical five-minute sessions are $95 for the sitting fee, online gallery, and digital files from your session or $65 for just the sitting fee and online gallery. 

Dress your kids up in those cute holiday outfits you've been saving or come as is, Santa is happy either way :) If you need a little outfit inspo, check out this Pinterest board for cute fall and holiday looks!

You can also check out some highlights from Santa's previous visits here!

As always, we will be using this event to give back to our community.  This year we will be collecting donations of food, socks, underwear and toys for the Greenwood Family Works Food and Resource Center.

We're excited to see you there!!

Sandra & Santa

As you've probably noticed, it seems as though our beautiful Seattle summer is coming to an end, but that means fall is here! Queue changing leaves, pumpkin spice everything, and anticipation for the holiday season. I don't know about you, but I'm SO excited!

Fall also means that it's time for mini sessions! These mini sessions are perfect for families looking for photos for holiday cards, gifts, or just an updated family portrait. We could all use an updated family portrait, trust me. 

Best of all?! They're FAST and FUN. Just 15 minutes!

The session fee is $150.00 and I will have lots of great add-ons, like digital files, albums and print package (perfect for holiday gifts)!

Click on the date below to book your appointment.

Not sure what to wear? We've got you covered! Check out our fall mini session Pinterest page filled with fall outfit ideas and holiday card inspiration.

See you in November!

Psst... Interested in the Santa mini sessions that are later in November? Fill out the form below :)

Santa Mini Sessions

Enter your email address to be notified as soon as registration for this year's Santa mini sessions opens up!

Success! We will let you know when registration for Santa sessions opens up :)

There was an error submitting your subscription. Please try again.

Email Address

Notify me We won't send you spam. Unsubscribe at any time. Powered by ConvertKit

For the past few months I've been working with some awesome folks at CreativeLive to write and produce not one but TWO online classes about my favorite thing: film!! CreativeLive is an online broadcast platform specializing in education webinars about tons of topics in different creative fields and I get to have two of my very own film classes later this month! Can you tell I'm excited?!

The Classes

On August 21st (8/21), I'll be teaching an Introduction to Film Photography during which I'll show you how to slow down during your photo shoot, focus on what you’re trying to capture, and ultimately get a great image straight out of camera.

On August 23rd (8/23), I'll have a Film Photography with Strobes class that will cover everything to give you the knowledge to start taking portraits with your film camera and strobes.

The Live Shows

The coolest (and most nerve racking!) thing about CreativeLive? Both of these classes will be recorded LIVE in front of an audience in the Seattle studios and then will be available for you to download and keep forever. Are you interested in being a part of the audience on August 21st or August 23rd at the CreativeLive South Lake Union studio? Follow this link to sign up!! The event is free to attend but spots are limited.

Sign Up Today!

Can't make it to the studio? Too busy for the live stream? No problem!! These classes will be broadcasted and recorded live and will be available for download on my very own CreativeLive page.  

Follow this link to sign up!

I'm so excited!!

Most of the time when I write a blog post I really try hard to give helpful advice or answer questions that my clients may have.  But sometimes, a post needs to be written just to share the overwhelming cuteness with the world.  This is one of those posts!

This little baby was just pure joy!  She smiled and giggled through the entire shoot!  So much fun.  And such a little doll!

Enjoy the cuteness!

Ask any newborn photographer what is the best age to photograph a baby and they will say "within the first ten days."  The reason we all say that is because in those early days babies are still really sleepy so it is less likely that they will be fussy, they still curl up like they did in the womb, and they're still really tiny, so getting those newborn shots of the little sleepy baby is easier!

But lets be honest.  Those first days home with your new baby are not always easy.  And sometimes, getting out of the house and making it to a photoshoot is just not possible.

So what do you do if you miss the "first ten days" window?  

I can't tell you how many emails I get from parents who feel they missed that newborn window and are not sure what to do.  Many feel like they just need to wait until the next milestone age.  But this is what I believe. 

There is never a wrong time to photograph your baby.  

Never.  

So you missed the first ten days.  It's okay.  Your baby at three weeks or four weeks or even two months is still really really cute!  And they will never be as little as they are right now ever again.  So don't miss it!

The benefits of photographing an older infant.

There are actually a lot of benefits to photographing an older infant!  

Older babies are curious.  They want to see whats happening around them, so they are more likely to make eye contact with the camera and hold it.  

Most babies start smiling around 6 to 8 weeks.  So waiting until your baby is a little older before scheduling a photoshoot will increase your chances of catching some of those first smiles.

The older your baby is the more you begin to see their growing personality.  And that is really fun!

The take away.

There is a lot of magic in those in-between months.  So don't let the fact that you missed the early newborn days keep you from scheduling a photo session for your baby.  Celebrate where they are now!  After all, they are only little once.

There is something about watching dads with their kids that just melts my heart every time!

Happy Fathers Day to all you amazing dads out there! 

What a client should wear to their photoshoot is probably the questions I am most often asked.  And I get.  Your baby is only a newborn once, so you want to get it right!

I believe that newborns are perfect just the way they are, and I love to show that perfectness off in their photos!

With newborns, less is more!

With newborns, less is more.  We don’t want them getting lost is a ton of clothing.  Because of that I prefer plain diapers and swaddle blankets, but if you have a special heirloom piece, like a Christening gown, or hand made blanket, but all means bring it!  I love incorporating special garments and blankets into my newborn sessions!

Neutral colors work best for family members.

And you should plan on being in some photos too!  I love photographing moms, dads, and older siblings into my newborn sessions!  To prepare, plan on neutral clothing and try to stay away from patterns or logos.  You don't all have to match, but you do want to make sure you are wearing similar tones.  So, for example, you don't want mom and big brother in white, but then have dad in black.  It would be better to have everyone in shads of gray or cream instead.

Families always ask what they need to bring to their newborn photoshoots.  There is no right or wrong answer to this question.  It's really just up to personal taste, but if you want a little inspiration, here are a few great ideas!

special stuffed animals and/or blankets

Maybe your baby was gifted a special blanket.  Or maybe you have the stuffed animal you bought the day you found out you were pregnant.  What every it is, if it is special and has sentimental value, or even if  you just like, you should totally bring it along!

I mean, how cute is this little guy all curled up with his stuffies! 

a calendar

I've had several clients bring calendars over the years and I always think it's a great idea!  These shots make for fun birth announcements and look adorable displayed in a nursery!

letter blocks

It's always fun to use letter blocks to spell out your baby's name!  Again, these makes for a super fun announcement or nurserary art!

I'm obsessed with these Japanese  character blocks that my client brought in!  So cute!!

you... the best prop around

No matter what you bring or what you don't bring, you should alway be prepared to be in the photos with your baby.  

I know you're tired.  

I know you just had a baby.  

But trust me... in five, ten, twenty years, these will be your most cherished images.  

I promise!  

And, they will mean the world to your children some day. 

I hope this was helpful!  But if you have more questions about your session, check this page on things what to expect at your photoshoot.

Have a great day!

I remember visiting my older brother in Seattle in January of 1995.  What I remember when I think of that visit was how sunny it was.  I was visiting from Pullman, WA (Go Cougs!) where we were still in the throws of a long hard winter.  That was the year I thought it would never stop snowing.

And then I came to Seattle... and it was sunny!!!  

That was when I decided to move.  I came to Seattle in July of 1995 and haven't looked back!

So, here's the thing about January in Seattle.  It seems like it's always sunny!  November and December are DARK.  But then, just when I think I can take it any more, January comes along, and the sun comes out.

This January was no exception.  Yes, it was COLD!!!  But the sun was out.  It warmed me through the window and filled my studio beautiful natural light to work with.

Thanks January!  See you next year!