A joyful young family portrait taken in an Edmonton park, with parents and their children, all under five, sharing a warm, candid moment together

Family Photographer in Sherwood Park & Edmonton

Catriona Hope Photography creates timeless family portraits in Sherwood Park and Edmonton. Sessions are relaxed, child-friendly, and tailored to your season—golden-hour parks, cozy at-home, or our warm studio. We guide outfits, locations, and posing so it feels natural and fun, delivering heirloom images your family will treasure for years.

Relaxed Family Photography You Can Feel Comfortable With

  • We had a great experience with Catriona! She was easy to work with and made everyone feel comfortable during our shoot. She found some great spots in our chosen location and we loved our finished photos!

    ★★★★★ ~ Kimberley R.

  • Family sessions are gently guided, never stiff or rushed. We help with posing, location, timing, and the little details that make the experience feel easier — especially when children need time to warm up.

A Look at Our Family Sessions

Family sessions are not about forcing perfect smiles every second. They are about creating space for connection, movement, laughter, quiet moments, and the relationships that make your family feel like your family.

Here is a small look at relaxed family photography sessions in Sherwood Park, Edmonton, and nearby Alberta communities — gently guided, naturally edited, and focused on real moments worth keeping.

Family Photography Pricing

Looking for Seasonal Family Portraits?

Family sessions can be planned around spring blossoms, summer evenings, autumn colours, or simple winter portraits. Fall family photos are especially popular in Sherwood Park and Edmonton, so it is always worth planning ahead if you are hoping for warm colour, golden light, and outdoor portraits before the snow arrives.

For families who love the look of autumn, we also have a dedicated Fall Family Portraits page with more details and seasonal examples.

Family Photography Locations We Love

We photograph families throughout Sherwood Park, Edmonton, and surrounding Alberta communities. Depending on the season and your family’s needs, we may suggest parks, trails, open fields, quiet urban areas, or studio options.

Some favourite types of locations include:

Sherwood Park parks and trails
Great for relaxed family walks, young children, autumn colour, and easy outdoor portraits close to home.

Edmonton river valley areas
Beautiful for natural backdrops, walking paths, trees, bridges, and soft evening light.

Cozy family portrait at Smeltzer House in Sherwood Park

Open fields and quiet green spaces
A lovely choice for families who want a softer, more natural look with room for children to move.

Urban or architectural settings
A good option for families who want a cleaner, more modern look with steps, walls, pathways, or textured backgrounds.

Indoor studio sessions
Helpful during colder months, for younger children, or for families who prefer a simple, comfortable indoor setting.

Not sure which location fits your family best? We can help narrow it down after booking based on the season, light, accessibility, and the overall feel you want for your images.  Find the Right Location >>

Session Details & Booking

Natural posing guidance, tailored location support, fully edited images, and approximately 2-week gallery delivery.

Booking: A signed agreement and 30% retainer secure your session date.

Groups: Signature Family is designed for immediate families and smaller groupings. Larger gatherings with grandparents, adult siblings, cousins, or multiple households are best suited to the Extended Family collection. Check Availability →

Got Questions? Start Here

Every family is different. Whether you are wondering about outfits, locations, shy children, busy toddlers, weather, or booking details, these answers will help you feel more prepared before reaching out.

Have Older Children or Teens?

If your children are past the little-kid stage, our Child to Teen Photography page may be a better fit. These sessions are designed for older kids, tweens, and teens who need a little more space, personality, and age-appropriate direction.
Pregnant mother with husband and toddler during an autumn family portrait session in Edmonton

Frequently Asked Questions

What should we wear?

Quick take: Think coordinated, not matching—soft/earthy colours, simple layers, comfy shoes.

I recommend a simple palette (oat, cream, charcoal, sage, rust) with one “hero” piece (mom’s dress or a child’s sweater), then build around it. Alberta weather swings—layering is your friend. Avoid big logos and neon (they reflect colour). If you’re unsure, text me outfit pics for a quick thumbs-up. I do this because comfort + cohesion = natural, timeless images.

We plan around naps and keep the session moving with games and breaks. If someone needs a reset, we pause—I’d rather take five and get the real smiles. I do this because “kid-led pacing + patience = genuine joy.”

Quick take: Golden hour is magic; if bedtimes are tricky, I’ll choose shade-rich spots earlier.

Just after sunrise or before sunset gives soft light and warm tones. For nap/bedtime conflicts, I’ll pick locations with deep shade and even light so we still get flattering results. I do this because flattering light + comfy kids = keepers.

Quick take: I always have a Plan B—shelter, tree lines, or a date shuffle if needed.

For spring/summer, bring water and bug spray; for fall, a blanket and layers. If conditions are truly miserable or unsafe, we’ll shift to the next best time. I do this because prepared families + flexible start time = smiles, not shivers.

Quick take: Private Pixieset gallery in two weeks—download, share, and order prints/cards easily.

You can share the password with close family for downloads. If you’re thinking Christmas cards, aim for early-to-mid October. See recent fall sessions here: Fall Family Portraits.