Embracing the Chaos: An Authentic Family Session at Casa Feliz
- Victoria Camera
- Apr 30
- 3 min read
Forget perfection! The best memories are captured in the beautifully fleeting chaos of childhood.
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.
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.
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!
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