Remember what it felt like to be in the Thick of it
Sticky hands, belly laughs, a blur of bedtime stories and sun-drenched chaos. These are the days you’ll look back on.
michigan photographer
Working with a michigan Family & Baby photographer
What you can expect
From the very first message to the moment you’re looking at your final images, my goal is to make the process feel easy and to leave you with images that are truly meaningful.
“Her presence makes you feel at ease — even our toddler engaged with her!”
Choosing Alissa for our maternity pictures was the best decision — she captured moments that I will cherish forever. Her photography is pure artistry. The session itself was actually relaxing. Her presence makes you feel at ease, and our toddler even engaged with her. Communication with her before and after the shoot was easy. I cannot recommend Alissa enough.
— Hannah, H
"Her gift for storytelling is unlike anything I could have hoped for.”
There truly is no one like Alissa. Her vision, ability to trust the process in natural settings, and her gift for storytelling through even just one photo is unlike anything I could have hoped for. I will continue to trust Alissa with capturing the most precious moments in my life for years to come.
— Emily, M
“Her subtle coaching brought out the most honest and beautiful version of our family.”
Working with Alissa takes the pressure and anxiety out of taking photos. In a magical way, she makes you feel so comfortable and captures you and your loved ones in your purest form. She provides subtle coaching that turns into phenomenal and artistic photographs. Never regret working with this photographer.
— Carly, B
PROCESS
Inquire
Reach out through the contact form and receive session details and pricing right away. I’ll follow up soon to answer questions and guide you from there.
Book Online
Everything from selecting your date and collection to signing the agreement and submitting payment can be done right through the pricing guide.
Make Magic
Your session will be relaxed and connection-focused. I’ll guide you through every step so you can simply show up and love on your people.
Work with one of the top michigan photographers
The
Frequently Asked Questions
What if we have bad weather?
Because $300 portion of your session is used as the retainer and is non-refundable, I offer two options in case we need to reschedule.
If the weather is not cooperating you can opt to hold your session in my studio located in Manistee, Michigan or we will attempt to reschedule for the next available date that works for both of us.
In the unlikely event that we are not able to find a suitable date for rescheduling you will be able to use the money paid towards a future session with me. This session will need to be booked within 12 months of the original session date.
Do I need to be local to book a session?
Not at all! Many of my clients travel from places like Grand Rapids, Holland, Kalamazoo, Traverse City, and beyond to experience a photography session here in Michigan. The coastal charm and peaceful pace create a beautiful backdrop for slowing down and truly connecting. If you're planning a visit, take a peek at this post for tips on making the most of your time here.
How many pictures will I receive & what's the cost?
The total package is $1,200 and includes your full gallery of high-resolution digital images... there are no additional images to purchase afterward.
The exact number of images varies from session to session. Things like the ages and activity levels of your children, how playful and interactive your family is, and the natural flow of the session all influence how many unique moments we’re able to capture.
I guarantee a minimum of 50 images for Signature Sessions and 100 images for In-Home Sessions, though I typically deliver far more than the guaranteed minimum.
Every image that meets my standards and contributes something meaningful to the story of your session is yours.
What’s the difference between a Signature Family Session and an Extended Family Session?
Signature sessions are designed for one immediate family unit. This allows us to settle in, focus on connection, and capture a wide variety of images with room to breathe.
Extended photography sessions include multiple family units—grandparents, siblings, cousins, etc.—and are structured a little differently. The goal with these is to get the essential groupings and some sweet moments, but the flow moves quickly and doesn’t allow for the same level of individual attention as a Signature session.
If you’re hoping for in-depth coverage of each individual family (like you’d receive in a Signature session), it’s best to schedule separate sessions—or we can chat about customizing your session time to allow for more.
What if my kids don’t cooperate?
You’re definitely not the first to worry about this—and let me assure you, I’ve seen it all. With over 16 years of experience working with little ones, I approach every session with patience, flexibility, and a calm presence that kids naturally respond to.
During my Michigan photography sessions, I’m not here to force stiff poses or perfect smiles. I’ll gently guide when it’s helpful, but I’m just as happy to follow their lead. Some of the most meaningful images come from the in-between moments—the ones that unfold when we let go of expectations.
So take a deep breath. You don’t need to do anything special. Just show up, love on your people, and trust that I’ve got the rest handled. Your kids are going to do just fine.
I CAPTURE
The way It
felt.
© Alissa Saylor Photography