As a Seattle-based professional photographer specializing in capturing the vibrant essence of families and high school seniors in the Pacific Northwest, I've discovered that photography isn't just about snapping pretty pictures—it's about forging genuine connections that last a lifetime. Here are three ways photography has enriched my life with meaningful connections

Real talk. When was the last time you felt good about doing something when someone told you to just “suck it up for the good of the family?” If you asked me that question, my honest answer would be never. I’ve never felt good about being told to suck it up. And yet, that’s what we tell dads about family photo sessions. Sure, we think they should just suck it up because beautiful images of our gorgeous families should be as important to them as they are to us, but it isn’t always that simple.

I’m just like you. I have hopes, fears, big dreams, insecurities, things that I am great at and things that I am not so great at. And just like you, if I think something is going to be too hard or has unnecessary steps, I don’t want to do it. That is why I have been working hard on the back-end of my small business to make the process as streamlined as possible.

Nestled in one of the most opulent neighborhoods on Capital Hill, Volunteer Park is a gorgeous park perfect for your next family or high school senior photo session. The surrounding neighborhood is quiet and serene with blocks of beautiful houses, some as old as Seattle itself.

Do you ever mishear a lyric and like your version better? For the longest time, I though the lyric to the Nirvana song Come as You Are was, Come as you are, as you were, as I want you to be, as a friend, as a friend, as an old memory…Turns out it was always: As an old enemy. I spent years of my life singing enemy as memory. I liked the ring of old memory a lot better don’t you?

So, you’ve just started to research local photographers, and you see that pricing is all over the place. Some photographers charge a flat fee, while others have a sitting fee with packages. What’s the deal? Why are the pricing structures so different and which one is better? It’s enough to drive a consumer bananas. That’s where I can help. I’m here to break down the pricing structure models and talk to you about why I price my photography the way that I do in the hopes that you can make the right choice for your family. Let’s have a look together, shall we?

Extended family photo sessions are among my absolute favorite thing to capture. I adore the unique dynamic between family members in extended family sessions. I love how one adult sibling seems to always be the funny one, one adult sibling always seems to be the serious one, and everyone seems to know just how to interact to get the right vibe in a session. I am from a rather large family myself. I have a few dozen cousins on one side of the family and about a dozen on the other side.

I have been mulling this blog post over in my mind for several weeks. It was like a faint whisper at first, and then it turned into a shout that the universe would no longer let me ignore. So, I started small. Instead of creating a full-scale post, I did a short carousel post on social media that outlined my thoughts and vision for this content. The post asked a very poignant question: What would you pay to preserve your memories forever?

Location is always the first thing we discuss when you book a session with Katie Niemer Photography. There are a lot of things to think about when choosing a location, and not all locations are suitable for the needs and desires of every graduating senior. When considering locations for high school senior portraits, many people choose a more natural environment such as Discovery Park, Golden Gardens in Seattle, Gold Creek Pond in Snoqualmie Pass, or a beach park on the Sound, but if those don’t suit your personality well, you should consider Pioneer Square in downtown Seattle.

It’s the winter of your junior year of high school. You have finals on the brain, and the last thing you want to think about is the laundry list of items you need to complete during your senior year. Before you know it, you will need to start planning your college applications, think about financial aid packages, where you are going to live, finalizing your cap and gown, planning your spring break trip with your friends, attending your last homecoming and prom, completing your final school projects, securing your summer job… The list goes on and on. But late winter is the perfect time to start thinking about your senior portrait session. And now is the best time to book your session and check one major obligation off your list.