The three most common moments that derail a family session (and how to work through them)

How to work through the 3 most common moments that derail us at our family sessions - The kid who says no to everything, the dad who doesn't want to be there, and the mom who can't stop fixing everyone. (live class happened September 23 at 12pm CST, sign up to watch the replay)

This is NOT a surface level class where I then bait and switch you into buying a course that teaches you the full method. I will teach you in this class exactly what is happening in these moments, what families need from you, and exactly what to do and say to move through them.

"I had goosebumps and teared up 5 minutes into the [replay]. This was the most beautiful and transformative class I ever listened to... I also really loved how you got right into it (as a busy mom of three little ones who doesn't have time or all the fluff around it) this felt like such a good use of my time."

— Kristy, 3 Moments class attendee

"I watched the replay 2x and [Suzy] is an absolute legend for making this and putting it out there for free. I got a lot out of it! It made me realize that photographing families is exactly what I am meant to do."

— Jake, 3 Moments class attendee

"Suzzane is a natural teacher who talks genuinely about the tricky parts about photography while always keeping the heart of it all at the center. She helps you navigate real questions with real answers. She shares her deep knowledge without ever making the student feel like they're only an opportunity for her to make more money. She genuinely wants each person to learn and succeed. I've taken courses from others in the industry and have left frustrated, as I felt like they were trying to upsell for 80% of the class."

— Sara, 3 Moments class attendee

"Suzy! This was such a great zoom. I think this might be the first time I attended a free zoom class and it didn't feel like a bait and switch. I'm so skeptical now that I often talk myself out of attending after I sign up because I don't want to be put in a bad mood. I had a feeling though that this would be different, and I'm so glad I attended."

— Melissa, 3 Moments class attendee

Somewhere along the way we all got the idea that the good photographers are the ones who found the good families..

The ones who show up loose and playful and already in love with each other.

Which, to be clear is sooooo much fun to work with those kinds of families. There are a lot of them out there and I want you to get every one of them. But even when you have the best clients, you will still encounter things like...a dad who obviously isn't into the session. Or a mom who keeps fixing her kid's collar every four seconds. Or a kid who says no to everything, even all the fun activities you planned that you know they love.... When those things happen, it feels like the session went wrong. Like, you're doing it all wrong.

But you didn't. And you're not.

That's just working with families.

And the photographers you look at, the ones who seem to have all the dreamy clients?

They know how to move through the hard parts.

So the family relaxes. So they trust you. So they tell their friends, and their friends show up already wanting what you do.

That's what I'm teaching in this class. How to work through the three moments that derail a family session. The kid who says no to everything, the dad who doesn't want to be there, and the mom who can't stop fixing everyone.

The class already happened, but the replay is free and it's yours as soon as you sign up.

What you'll walk away with

Concrete action steps to work through the 3 most common blocks we encounter at family sessions (the grumpy dad, the perfectionist mom, and the kid who says no).

The perspective shifts that will help you have the confidence to actually do these things at your next session instead of freezing up and going into autopilot mode.

The ability to show your clients that you can lead them through the hard stuff (so they keep coming back and referring you to all their friends).

Have the space to make the kind of honest, beautiful work you want to make. Even when things go wrong.

Hi, I'm Suzy.

I've been photographing families for over 18 years, mostly on film, out of Chicago and all around the world. I'm a mom of three, which is probably why I care so much about parents actually enjoying the experience we give them. Because whew do I know how hard it is to be a parent. And how special it can be for parents to have any amount of time where they get to put down all the expectation and obligation they carry, and just enjoy being with their children.

I've spent my entire career transforming family photos from a dreaded obligation into an experience that's looked forward to. And now I teach other photographers how to do the same by leading families into real connection instead of posing them.

18+

years of photographing

3000+

families served

1000+

students taught

​

Inside the class

Everything you need to move through the moments that often stop us

• Exactly what to do with the dad who won't open up, the mom who keeps fixing everything, and the kid who says no.
• How to read what's actually happening in a stuck moment, so you know which move to make.
• What to do the second you feel yourself tighten up, so you don't freeze and go into autopilot mode.

I answered questions at the end, and that's usually the best part. It's all in the replay.