ASHEVILLE'S DOCUMENTARY FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHER

A black and white photo of a Asheville family playing in the sun.

FAMILIES ARE DESERVING OF REAL MOMENTS

Photos are supposed to show who you are as a family unit, not how the photographer felt you should be posed. Its supposed to be fun, and showcase YOU!  Let’s transform your unique family dynamic into magnificent works of art you can’t wait to hang in your home!

It gets warmer outside and everything is blooming!  Do we want to sit and pose for photos for a full hour?  NOPE!  Lets just have some fun with the kiddos and create some summer fun memories!If you’re looking for adventurous, fun, and unique family photos, look no further!

The family dynamic is unique and original to each family. Showcasing that, by bringing everyone together in a natural, organic way, is what the sessions are about. My sessions show emotion, laughter, and even the tougher moments when the times come where someone isn’t cooperating and you’re doing everything you can to get her/him to calm down.

These are not your average family photo sessions. Every family has their own unique story so let’s take a day to tell your story, unabridged and unscripted. This experience yields images guaranteed to bring on the happy tears during nostalgic times. I know a full day with a photographer sounds crazy, but it will be the best day and so worth it. The only thing I require that is not negotiable is coffee.  Lots and lots of coffee.

We get approximately 940 different days that end in Y with our kids before they leave the house.  Let’s document one that they can relive over and over again.  Spending an entire day with your family isn’t insanity, it’s the best day ever! 

ONE-ON-ONE PLANNING

Photographing what makes your family unique is all about getting to know who you are as a family. We’ll have a complimentary video consultation to discuss how you reached this exciting point in your lives. We will explore the family dynamic so that I know what works and doesnt with them.

FAMILY PHOTO DAY

This is the fun part! At this point, we’ve had so many interactions planning together and chatting that we’ll be more than prepared for your exciting family day session in the Blue Ridge Mountains. This is where we let the kids be themselves and document those interactions good or bad.”

GALLERY + ALBUM DELIVERY

After editing and curating a striking collection of photos that represent the highlights of your day, I make them all available to you online so that you can download them, and have them printed however you like from one gallery and one click.

SESSION FEES

ALL SESSIONS INCLUDE

Lifetime print release for you and your family to print and share as you wish.

Custom Online Gallery to select and download images.

We are a full service studio and offer our clients amazing heirloom products including solid wood framed canvases, gallery wrapped canvases, fine art giclée prints, custom luxury albums, foil pressed cards, as well as glass and linen boxes.

There is a non-refundable $150 retainer to book and reserve your date or due date. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Family Photography

The main purpose of these sessions is to capture the real, everyday moments, so just your average day is just perfect. However, the options are limitless, really, but a few awesome ideas might be: your family vacation (I’ve always wanted to visit Hawaii, hint hint), a new baby comes home, grandparent or cousin visit, a big baseball tournament day, a camping trip to the redwoods (almost as good as Hawaii, lol), a beach day, birthday, or any day! We can brainstorm together. So fun!

I promise you that things will work out. One of the best things about these sessions is that it’s not just one hour. We have all day to let the magic to happen. Even Dad won’t mind. It takes some time for them to warm up.

Yes! What a great way to capture a special day like that. You’ll have all of the moments, from Dad tying your son’s tie before heading to the synagogue to Great-grandma reading a book to your birthday girl after a long day of preparations and partying.

Don’t worry! We will work with you to make sure that your session is a great experience. Sick kids are not good subjects! We will definitely reschedule as needed.

All of your images are YOURS to keep as soon as I deliver them to you at no charge! After receiving your images in gallery form, you can download them and have them printed by whoever you like! Your gallery will also include a few printing lab recommendations as well.

The image count is completely dependent on moments. My goal is always to represent your session as authentically as possible through dynamic imagery. On average, I typically deliver around 60-80 images every hour I shoot.

I aim to get all your images edited and delivered to you as quickly as possible while sticking to the gold standard my clients expect from me. Two weeks after we say goodbye we’ll have Sneak Peeks ready for you to look over. I strive to have all your images available in a curated gallery online 45 days after the session at the latest.

CUSTOM DESIGNED ALBUMS AND ARTBOOKS

Contemporary design with clean, crisp lines. This is the essence of simple modern luxury. Featuring seamless spreads and meticulously hand-crafted premium pages made with layers of cloth and latex. The pages are stronger and more durable, resulting in a superior luxury with durability and elegance.  

Albums are custom designed in collaboration with each other until the layout is exactly as you envisioned.

Can hold up to 80 pages.
Starting at $650. Discounts available for parent albums.

An open book with a photograph of a blue sky.
Three books on a wooden floor in front of a door.
A wedding photo album in a box on a wooden table.

WHAT ARE FAMILY SESSIONS LIKE WITH MICHAEL?

Michael is not only a fabulous photographer but also a wonderful person!! We love having him photograph our family because of his attention to detail and his eye for what makes a beautiful photograph. Michael has photographed our family in Asheville, North Carolina for over 6 years. He has become a very dear friend. We always recommend him to everyone we know. His photographs are hung throughout our home as works of art. He took our pictures for hours and he was just amazing. I have had so many photographer friends comment how talented he is when i shared our family photos. He is definitely one of the best. I highly recomend him. Best photographer ever

Michael took absolutely beautiful photos of our family while we were on vacation in Asheville, North Carolina. He was able to schedule us last minute and helped us find a perfect location to have our pictures taken. This was a once in a lifetime vacation for our family and to have these gorgeous portraits to remember it by for the rest of our lives means more than I can say. Working with Michael was a dream, he was super friendly and so great to talk to. I highly recommend Freas Photography for family portraits!

NORTH CAROLINA DOCUMENTARY FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHY

I would pay insane amounts of money to go back in time and do sessions like this of my own family.  Not having those childhood memories preserved is one of my biggest regrets, so I want to be that positive remembrance for your family. The saying “This is who we are, this is ‘us’.” And next thing you know, you turn around and everything has changed.

This will be an investment you will never regret. Its investing in your families future.

Payment plans are available for each session.  

Family Documentary Photography serving Asheville, Boone, Blowing Rock, Great Smokey Mountains and the Foothills of North Carolina.  For locations more than 50 miles of Asheville a small travel fee is charged.

 Creating natural and fun family photos in Western North Carolina.  North Carolina Lifestyle Photography offers children, Senior Photos and family portraits.  Let me tell your families story.  Contact me by filling out the form below: