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Embracing the Chaos: An Authentic Family Session at Casa Feliz

Apr 30, 2025
3 min read

Forget perfection! The best memories are captured in the beautifully fleeting chaos of childhood.


Family of five posing and smiling for a photo in front of the red brick building of Casa Feliz in Winter Park, Florida.
The Guttermans at Casa Feliz in Historic Winter Park, FL
Black and white photo of a family of four sitting together in the sand of Flagler Beach
Two little girls in blue dresses stand on the beach in front of Flagler Beach Pier, arms wrapped around each other, while their parents stand barefoot a few steps behind them in the sand, all smiling.
Throwback to the Gutterman family at Flagler Beach Pier in 2022

There’s something incredibly special about reconnecting with old friends and seeing the lives they've built. Recently, I had the joy of photographing the Gutterman family. Heidi, a good friend from my high school days, asked me to capture new memories for them at the beautiful, historic Casa Feliz, located just off Park Avenue in the heart of Winter Park, Florida. The last time we did family portraits together was in September of 2022 at the Flagler Beach Pier—before their youngest daughter, Etta, was born, and just before Hurricane Ian caused significant damage to the pier.


Back in high school, Heidi would often share with our group of friends her dreams of one day becoming a mother to little girls who would follow in her footsteps as a dancer and performer. Now, it's truly incredible to see those dreams coming true for her. Heidi and her husband, Alex—an amazingly patient and devoted girl dad—have built a beautiful family together. They’ve created a warm, loving home for their three daughters: Liesel, Claire, and Etta. Each girl reflects Heidi’s vibrant spirit and grace in her own unique way, and watching them together feels like witnessing a dream made real.


Black and white photo of couple smiling and standing together at Casa Feliz in Winter Park, FL as their three daughters playfully circle them in a game of tag

THE SESSION


Family photo sessions are all about capturing the true essence of a family, especially when young children are involved. For this shoot, we moved at a relaxed pace, giving the girls space to play, interact, and let their personalities shine. I always recommend at least an hour for family sessions—especially with kids. It allows plenty of time to get the portraits you envision while also giving children room to settle in and feel comfortable.


All too often parents go into their family session with a picture-perfect vision, hoping for flawless smiles and perfectly posed moments, but this is rarely how it goes. There may be stubborn "nos," awkward smiles, short attention spans, or the occasional tantrum. And that’s perfectly okay! Some of the most genuine and heartfelt images come from embracing the chaos and letting kids be themselves. That’s when the real magic happens and we capture those raw, authentic moments that truly reflect who they are.


As I watched each of the Gutterman girls, I couldn’t help but be reminded of my own childhood. I’m the youngest of three sisters, and seeing little Etta chase after Liesel and Claire was like taking a trip down memory lane. Claire, with her big smiles and eagerness to pose, was a natural in front of the camera. Liesel, the oldest, had a quiet confidence, smiling while also subtly taking charge of the session, reminding us to keep track of how many photos we were snapping. Little Etta added a dose of energy and sweetness to the shoot, while Heidi and Alex balanced it all with patience and kindness.


  • Three little blonde girls sit side by side on the grass, two wearing blue dresses, and the youngest in the middle wearing a pink dress and holding a yellow flower
  • Three little girls wearing frilly white and red dresses sit side by side in the grass in front of a bush with white flowers

Just had to do a side by side comparison of the Gutterman Girls to the Camera Girls circa '91 or '92.

That little one in the middle with the red headband...thats me!


EMBRACING IMPERFECTION


One of the most important things I always remind parents is to let go of expectations and embrace the beautiful unpredictability of photographing young children. I always aim to capture at least one "money shot" where everyone’s standing just right and smiling on cue, but my creativity truly thrives in documenting the genuine, unscripted moments that reflect the heart of your family. Instead of stressing over the giggles and wiggles or the messy hair and wrinkled clothes, I suggest for my families to lean into the reality of this stage of life. This season, with its carefree laughter, scraped knees, and boundless energy, is fleeting—and these are the memories you’ll likely cherish most.


While there will always be more opportunities for polished, posed portraits as your children grow, it’s these raw, unfiltered moments of joy, silliness, and connection that tell the real story of your family. Trust your photographer, embrace the chaos, and let the memories unfold naturally.


A huge thank you to the Gutterman family for letting me document their love, laughter, and spirit. I truly enjoyed every moment of this Casa Feliz family session and look forward to watching their family continue to blossom.


CHECK OUT MORE FAMILY PHOTO GALLERIES!



THE GUTTERMANS

Casa Faliz Family Session in Winter Park, FL


  • A family of five pose together nicely and smile at the camera for a family portrait in front of a brick building with a large archway at Casa Feliz in Winter Park, FL
  • A family of five pose together nicely and smile at the camera for a family portrait in front of a brick building with a large archway at Casa Feliz in Winter Park, FL
  • Three little girls, sisters, pose together nicely and smile at the camera for a portrait in front of a brick building with a large archway at Casa Feliz in Winter Park, FL
  • A black and white photo of two little girls leaning over on each side of their two year old sister to give her a hug as they all smile at the camera, standing on a brick paved walkway at Casa Feliz in Winter Park, FL
  • Two little girls are playing on lawn with brick paved path ways, both wearing matching blue dresses, as one sits on a round bench and the other does a cartwheel
  • Couple stands holding each other, posing and smiling for a portrait together under an archway of a red brick paved building and walkway
  • Black and white photo of couple standing and holding each other, the womans hand on her husbands chest, his hand on her arm, as they smile with laughter, looking at each other under an archway of a brick paved building and walkway
  • A father sits on a brick paved door step with two of his daughter posing with him on each side, and his youngest daughter sitting in his lap, all smiling at the camera for a photo together.
  • A mother sits on a brick paved bench with two of her daughter posing with her on each side, and the youngest daughter sitting in her lap, all smiling at the camera for a photo together.
  • A couple and their three daughters sit in a huddle together on a brick paved step to the patio of Casa Feliz in Winter Park, FL
  • A couple stands together holding each other in front of a brick building with blue shutters as their three young daughters run around them in a game of tag
  • Two little blonde girls wearing matching blue dresses walk single file away from the camera along garden stepping stones with tall hedges surrounding them
  • Black and white photo of a toddler wearing a dress with a large bow in the back walk away from the camera along garden stepping stones with tall hedges surrounding her
  • A mother and her three small daughters hold hands as they play Ring Around the Rosie on the grass lawn in front of the brick building with blue window frames at Casa Feliz in Winter Park, FL
  • Black and white photo of the profile of a little girl smiling as she hands her mother, who's head is just out of frame, a small flower
  • Portrait of a young girl with blonde hair, wearing a blue dress, smiling at the camera as she sits on a stone garden pedestal with pink flowers on the ground behind her.
  • A young, blonde girl wearing a blue dress and a white bow in her hair sits and poses nicely on the back of a stone bench with her hand placed nicely, one on top of the other, on her knees with green shrubbery behind her
  • Toddler girl wearing a pink tulle dress crouches down nest to a bed of white, blue, and yellow flowers to pick a few
  • Two young, blonde sisters stand side by side, wearing matching blue dresses, smiling at the camera as they both smell the white flower held by the younger sister while the older sister wraps her around the other, with a garden with pink and yellow flowers, lamp post, metal bench and building behind them.
  • Black and white photo of a couple, cropped from the shoulders down, walking on a brick pathway, hand in hand, as the husband carries their toddler daughter in his other arm on his hip.

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