Your family is one of a kind.
Shouldn't Your Family Portraits be just as unique?
What sets my Berkeley area family photography sessions apart? The experience -- and the results that come from it.
There will be no awkward standing around with forced grins on my watch! Get ready to move, laugh, and enjoy yourselves during your family portrait session with me.
Most of family photo sessions (and senior portrait sessions) take place outdoors in our beautiful Berkeley and El Cerrito Hills and surrounding areas during the evening golden hour. Though I also help families document bar mitvahs, the addition of newborns, and other important milestones.
Read on to find out more about my family sessions, working with me, and pricing.
Fall 2023
a La Carte Pricing
Photo Sessions for Families and COuples

One-Hour Family Photo Session $275
Photos purchased separately. See details below.
FALL SPECIAL - Sessions through December 15 receive:
One complimentary 8x10 archival-grade print ($50 value)
Access to specially priced digital portrait packages
YOUR SESSION FEE INCLUDES:
- A 1-hour photo session for 2 to 5 people (additional people or pets $35 each) at locations within the Berkeley and El Cerrito area
- A private online gallery for 60 days where you can view your collection, sort your favorites, and place orders
- A minimum 50 color photos to choose from, professionally edited with light retouching (moderate and heavy retouching available on request for extra fee)
- An additional hand-edited Black & White collection of your images to choose from
- On request, complimentary design ideas and sample previews of your photos in wall art and gallery groupings to help you order with confidence
- For bookings through December 15, 2023, you'll receive one complimentary archival grade 8 x 10 print ($50 value) of the photo of your choice and access to specially priced digital portrait packages in your online gallery (see below).
Why do my clients love my a la carte pricing structure?
It gives you maximum flexibility to purchase the right combination of digitals, and printed photos, and other products for your family -- and after you've seen your photos!
How does a la carte pricing work?
You pay the Session Fee at the time of booking to hold your photo session date and time (see terms and conditions). After your gallery is delivered, you can decide which portraits you’d like to purchase — whether as high-resolution digitals, printed products, or a combination of both. (See more below.)
PURCHASING PHOTOS FROM YOUR GALLERY:
Digital Portraits
High-resolution digital portraits start at $65 each, with fall digital packages: 10 digitals for $195 / 20 digitals for $300 / 40 digitals for $400 / FULL GALLERY $550 for every photo in your gallery in both color and black & white collections. (And no sales tax on digital download packages!)
Professional Prints
When ordering prints through me, you'll receive professional-grade photo prints on premium photo papers with a Standard Archival Value of 100 years in home display (200 years in dark storage). Available for your color and black and white portraits in sizes up to 40” L. Priced from $50 for 8” x 10” size. You can have these framed yourself or view and order solid wood framing options in your gallery store.
Gift prints, photo albums, custom framing, museum-quality canvases, and more are also available through your online gallery store.

"Shelly can capture that moment
you didn't know you were looking for."
The Process
01.
Decide if I'm right for You.
You can get a feel for my style and sessions by looking through my portfolio slideshow above, take a look at my terms and conditions of working with me, and get an overview of my pricing structure for family portraits and couples photography. Of course, you might like to hear what past clients have to say, as well!
If you think we're a good match, send me a booking request with your details.

Book Your Session & Get ready.
02.
I'll review the details of your request and respond with a suggested date and time, and recommended location (usually within 24-48 hours). When we've settled on the details for your session, I'll send your 1) Photo Session Agreement (contract) outlining details of your session and 2) An invoice for your Session Fee payable by credit card. When I receive your signed agreement and payment, you're session is booked! I'll send some tips and guidelines to help you prepare for the best session possible (start here).
View & Purchase Photos.
03.
"Shelly is a wonderful person to work with who takes beautiful photos and makes the photo shoot easy."
Three weeks after your session, you'll receive a link to your online gallery where you can view your family's portraits, mark and compare favorites, and decide which photos you'd like to purchase as prints, wall art, or high-resolution digital files. Your gallery will be online for 60 days, and you can invite additional family members and friends to view, favorite, and make their own purchases directly if desired.
Kind Words
"Shelly’s relaxed demeanor put everyone at ease."
"Her portraits do not rely on studio poses (thankfully), but focus on capturing natural moments."
"Shelly took the most beautiful outdoor photos of my entire family — 3 generations plus the dog!"
" ... not just beautiful portraits, but rather precious family moments
expertly captured."
I’m Shelly.

The Lady behind the camera.
East Bay family photographer,
mom, pet lover, and firm believer in the power of kindness.
As a lifestyle family photographer, my mission is to capture your true personalities and connection through a fun and active outdoor photo session. In the end, you'll have a collection of treasured moments and priceless expressions that shape a story only your family could tell.