I started my career 17 years ago with a maternity photo of my dear friend Ginger.  We shot three rolls of film and ended up with one perfect photo that we both loved.  I used that one photo to launch my business.  It was the face of Sandra Coan Photography for years.  

Back then, it was common for a person to go into a photo studio with the expectation of getting one great photo.  Over the years, that expectation has changed.  Now it's more common for people to come in for a session and expect 50 great photos.  And while I totally get it (I love all the photos too) I would argue that there is power in just one great image.  

The Problem With Many Photos

Here is how I see it.  When you have many photos, they are often times forgotten.  They sit in your cloud storage.  Maybe a few, if they are lucky, will end up on Facebook or on your Holiday card.  But most of the time, all those photos are never seen.  They get lost.  And I think that is a shame.

The Power Of One Photo

When you have one photo however, the dynamic shifts.  It becomes special and the way you look at it changes.  You hang it on your wall.  You share it with your family.  It becomes an heirloom for future generations. 

When you have just one photo, the photo becomes a story in and of itself.  It tells us something about the person and who they are in that moment.  It becomes a portrait in the truest sense of the word.

What You Can Expect From Me

When you come in for a photoshoot with me, I will take lots of photos and give you many to choose from.  But my goal is that you will find one GREAT one.  One that will become your story, your heirloom.  One that you will hang on your wall.

My goal is to create a portrait.  It's what I love to do.  And I can't wait to do it for you.

I started my career back in 2000 as a maternity photographer.  Maternity photography eventually led to newborn and family work, and I’ve been pretty much doing that ever since.  

Over the years I’ve had the honor of photographing couples in their first pregnancy, with their first baby, then their second and sometimes third. 

I’ve watched children grow up.  

I’ve documented the changes and the milestones. I’ve been there for celebrations and sometimes even losses. I’m seeing my own boys change into pre-teens.  And I’m noticing adult children turning into the caregivers of their own parents.

Life is an amazing thing.  And I’m honored to be in a career that allows me to see it and document it for my clients, friends and family.

It is no secret that I love working with babies! I love capturing the connection and love of parents and their new son or daughter.

But as my own children grow and as I see the babies I once photographed walk through my studio doors as young adults, I find that the definition of what it means to be a family photographer has changed for me.  

It’s not just about little babies.  It’s not just about those first few years.  

It’s about all the years.

It’s all beautiful.  

It’s all important. 

So please, drag your teenager in.  Call up your mom or dad and make an appointment for just the two of you.  Get a portrait made of your pre-teen, braces and all. 

You’ll be so glad you did.

I love working with newborns.  It always amazes me how different they all are.  Each one coming into this world with their own way of doing things... their own little personality that you can see from the get go, even when they're asleep! 

This little lady was no exception.  She wiggled and stretched her way through our session, warm and cozy in my Seattle studio.  Such a trooper!  And SUCH a cutie!  

Oh, and check out the STUNNING quilt made for her by her grandma.  Incredible!

As a newborn and family photographer, one of my very favorite things to do is capture an older sibling with their new brother or sister.  

These are the photos every mother and father want.  These are the photos that will be printed, hung on the wall and sent to Grandma.  I know it.  And it is my goal to get as many good shots of this special bond as I possibly can. But, it's not always easy.  

The truth is some toddlers are not super excited about the new baby in their lives.  Behind the scenes of the precious older sibling with newborn baby photo is often fraught with emotion.  It's one to the reasons why I keep a stash of lollipops and bubbles on hand at the studio. Ha!

This session however, was a total dream!  The older brother could not get enough of his new baby.  He was beaming and proud and so clearly over-the-moon that it brought a tear to my eye while I was shooting, and then again when my film came back.  I'm pretty sure he'll be the best older brother there ever was!  

And as for the lucky baby brother.... well I'll just let the photos speak for themselves!

These two stole my heart.