Clarksburg, Maryland, with their four children,
met Knowles when their children attended
a small private school together. Having that
connection helped bring out their natural
silliness, he says.

It also allowed for a personal touch to be
weaved in, he says, recalling one time Knowles
incorporated an old military truck he found in
a field into one of the shoots because he knew
both Aryln and Twila were veterans.

“It touched my heart,” he says.

TAKING THE PRESSURE OFF
THE LOGAN FAMILY
That’s what happened when the Poolesville-
based family photographer worked with the
Logans. Their son wasn’t smiling so Knowles
had an idea—let the child take a picture of his
parents instead.

Not only did it add to the dynamic of the
photos—talking to their son brought out
different expressions and emotions in his
parents’ faces—but it loosened him up for
his own shoot.

“After that, he kind of really enjoyed it,”
Knowles says. “He was all sweetness and light
and just all up for it.”
Knowles and Falls Church-based family
photographer Jessica Caso shared with
Washington FAMILY their perspectives on what
makes a good family photo, especially as you’re
capturing memories with family this holiday
season. Learn their tips and techniques for
managing wild cards like the weather, sleep
schedules and even the family dog.

AUTHENTICITY IS KEY
To get the most authentic photos, Caso loves to
shoot in and around the home, she says.

Often an in-home shoot is requested right
after someone has celebrated a significant
life event such as having a baby so that she is
able to capture candid shots of small, personal
everyday-life moments.

“Almost as if she’s like a member of family, in
a sense, but also not there,” says Lisa Sullivan-
Solheim, who has used Caso as photographer
for her family of five in Alexandria since her
first daughter was born in 2017.

It’s very natural when she’s been able to
capture “these beautiful little moments”
such as breastfeeding and snuggling, Sullivan-
Solheim says.

The home also adds to the photos, Caso says,
because it gives you a sense of the person or
people who live there.

Aryln Logan and his wife Twila, who live in
18 Washington FAMILY DECEMBER 2021
To get more natural smiles and genuine
interactions, sometimes it’s also necessary to
do some things to take the pressure off, such as
having stickers and fun things to keep children
entertained or showing families their progress
during the shoot to boost their confidence.

“I kind of mirror what I would love to
see,” says Knowles. If the photographer sets
the tone, it can also help the family relax too.

Christine Sproat says her Poolesville family of
five—including three very active boys and dog
Ginger—always feels comfortable with him.

“I have been in situations with photographers
who kind of lose patience,” she says. “Chris
enjoyed himself and captured the moment
for my boys.”
Bijal Rock, who lives with her family of four
in Arlington, Virginia, says, “Family pictures
are always a drag for everybody,” but Caso
manages to find ways to take the pressure off
and the results speak for themselves.

“As the years go on and they grow, you
see snippets of their personality in those
pictures,” she says of her children. “They’re
lovely memories.”
At the end of the day, the photoshoots should
be about having fun—even when things go
wrong. Caso recalls an outdoor shoot where a
4-year-old fell in the water and was completely
drenched. His father went in to get him, and he
was drenched too.

“It was one of the best sessions that I had
that entire year because, at that point, all the
pressure was gone,” she says.

KNOWING YOUR
SURROUNDINGS Choosing the right environment can have
a huge impact on family photos—whether
it’s finding the right light during odd times
to accommodate children’s sleep schedules,
managing weather or finding the perfect
setting that will be memorable.

It can be hard to manage the unexpected
with outdoor shoots—like bugs in the summer
or unpredictable winter weather, Knowles says.

“There’s been times I’ll show up to the
location and I’m like, ‘How is this going to



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LOGAN AND SPROUT FAMILIES BY CHRIS KNOWLES; THE ROCK FAMILY BY
JESSICA CASO
THE SPROAT FAMILY
work?’” Twila Logan says. She recalls one shoot
from a previous family photographer that took
place in Ellicott City when it was dark and rainy,
and her family happened to be wearing black.

She was worried it would look too dreary, but
with the skillful use of a bit of light, the photos
turned out great, she says.

Caso says good lighting is important, but
she can’t always shoot at the time of day she
wants when it comes to maternity or family
photography. She knows there’s a “faux sunset”
at 1 p.m. at Rock Creek State Park, so if she
is planning around a baby’s sleep schedules,
that’s an option.

Finding a memorable location can also be
a game-changer for family photo sessions.

Sullivan-Solheim says Caso was able to find
some hidden gems in her neighborhood and
beyond, such as the Winkler Botanical Preserve
and little parks and fields in city areas that
added a nice touch of nature.

“I would have never driven back and
stumbled upon it,” she says of the preserve.

Sproat had her own location in mind—a farm
with stunning cherry blossoms—and it meant
a lot that Knowles was willing to be flexible
and open to the suggestion because it made the
photos, she says.

COLOR ME HAPPY
Families can do a little bit to prepare for
their shoots by paying attention to colors
and patterns.

Knowles recommends having no more than
two prominent colors. They can be different
shades of the same color. Caso notes families
Shadow days are available.

should avoid small checkered patterns because
they can look off on social media and white
socks, as they tend to stick out.

Mostly though, just wear what makes you feel
the most confident, she says. n
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THE ROCK FAMILY
WashingtonFAMILY.com 19