Puerto Vallarta Family Photographer

That's completely normal, and it is not a problem I need you to solve before the session. The session is relaxed and playful so kids can move and enjoy themselves. If someone melts down or wanders off, we let it pass and gradually ease them back in. Honestly, the frames I get during those unscripted stretches are often the ones parents end up printing.

With young children, I recommend going at dawn, after they have eaten. That way they can be more relaxed and play a little, and the beaches are nearly empty. If there are not any young children, sunsets are highly recommended — roughly 6 to 7 PM, shifting earlier in winter and later in summer. More on why that window matters in <a href="/chasing-the-golden-hour-the-secret-to-magical-sunset-photos-in-puerto-vallarta/">Chasing the Golden Hour</a>.

The most common session is 60 minutes, which is comfortable for one location. It depends on what you're looking for: 90-minute sessions allow you to explore different parts of the city or beach at a leisurely pace. With very young children, 60 minutes is usually the right call — attention spans decide this more than anything I could plan.

Light colors and comfortable outfits work beautifully for beach photos. Avoid busy patterns and logos, and coordinate rather than match — complementary tones photograph better than identical outfits. Flowing fabrics are worth choosing on purpose, since there is almost always a breeze. I put together <a href="/what-to-wear-for-a-puerto-vallarta-photoshoot/">a full style guide with examples here</a>.

Yes, and it is some of my favorite work — the largest group I have photographed is 18 people across three generations. Sessions cover up to 8 people at the standard rate. Groups of 9 to 15 add a 30 USD group fee, which reflects the extra coordination rather than extra editing: with a large family, most of the time goes into arranging people and working through the smaller combinations you will want — each couple, each set of siblings, the grandparents with all the grandchildren. For 16 or more, let's talk first. At that size it becomes closer to an event than a session, and I would rather understand what you are planning than quote you blind.

I deliver every usable photo from the session rather than a fixed number, which usually comes out to more than a hundred images. Delivery is within 72 business hours at the latest, in an online gallery you can download from and share with the rest of the family. Most of my clients are visiting for a week or less, so this matters: you will have your photos before you fly home, not weeks later when the trip already feels distant.

Family sessions currently start at 164 USD, which covers the session and the full edited gallery — there is no separate charge per photo and no per-person fee. Rates are seasonal and tend to be higher during the November-through-April high season, so the pricing page is always the current one. I also wrote a broader piece on <a href="/how-much-does-a-professional-photographer-cost-in-puerto-vallarta/">what professional photography costs in Puerto Vallarta</a> if you are comparing options.

Yes, as long as access has been confirmed beforehand. Many properties allow outside photographers and some do not, so the step to take is to ask your concierge before your session and let me know what they say. It is easier coming from you than from me — as the paying guest you tend to get a faster and more favorable answer. If your property does not allow it, every location on this page is a good alternative.

Two to three weeks is comfortable, and a little more during the November-through-April high season when dates fill up faster. That said, I have photographed families who contacted me the day before — if I am not already booked, I can usually make it work. If you are on a short timeline, just message me and I will tell you right away whether your date is open.

You have three options, and the choice is always yours. Most afternoon rain in Puerto Vallarta passes within thirty to sixty minutes, so waiting it out is usually simplest — and the light right after a storm can be extraordinary. If you would rather go ahead in the rain, I can shoot with a weather cover on the camera; I want to be straightforward that this limits me, since I cannot use additional lighting or change lenses while the cover is on, so the images will be simpler than a dry session. And if you prefer a different day, I reschedule at no cost. If your travel dates make rescheduling impossible, I refund you in full.