You'd love to have a family portrait session that fully captures who you are, how you connect, and how much affection surfaces when all the members of your family are present within the camera frame.

We're happy to capture your family in our studio, complete with gorgeous light and minimal distractions, or in your comfy-cozy home full of familiar toys and routines. No matter where our session takes place, we'll delight in your delight. And we'll encourage you to pay attention to one another instead of the camera, because there's no 'add happy' button in Photoshop.

We don't care whether you're barefoot or wearing fuzzy slippers, and we won't be sending over a twenty-page list of suggestions about what to wear. (We can make you look beautiful in sweat pants if you love each other.) We just want to capture your family. Your habits, your quirks, and your love. And when you view the images we've created together for the first time, we want the depth of love you feel for your family to grab you by the collar and bring tears to your eyes.

The video below provides a peek at how portrait sessions unfold. If you have questions or would like to schedule a portrait session, click on the 'Contact' link above or call 215-206-3689. Oh -- and thanks for stopping by, lovely!

-- Kristen & Haunani, Essential Imagery owners

P.S. That's Kristen up in the header -- Haunani is camera-shy.

Welcome, tweep!

So, you’ve found me on Twitter. This is my blog, home of my images and overflowing with my love of all things orange, kid, awesome and nifty.

To go straight on through and ignore this talk, click here. (Portfolio and non-mobile-friendly general info here.)

If you want to know more about me, Kristen Kalp, would-be ninja and giver of boom sauce, here ya go:

I have a degree in English Education, and am now a Philadelphia child photographer. This indulges my love of children without having to do any pesky rule-enforcement or educating. Kids are funny.

My version of photography is low-volume, custom, and snazzy. If you’re not into snazzy, I can’t help you.

Essential Imagery thinks kids are funny. The photos prove it.

When I say feisty children’s photography worldwide, I mean it. You can commission my cameras and zest for children’s photography from wherever you are on the planet. New Jersey and Delaware shores are available for a $100 travel fee in addition to regular session costs.

Finally, I dig helping people. It’s true. So if there’s something I can do for you that doesn’t involve dumping the entirety of my brain’s contents, ask away. My real, non-Twitter-DM contact point is kristen@essentialimagery.com. If you’re in need of help with pricing your work as a photographer, I’d go here.