Auckland Family Photography That Actually Feels Like Home
Relaxed family photography that feels natural, not posed
Say goodbye to awkward poses, and hello to joyful, natural moments.
Are you ready to stop chasing perfect smiles and start capturing the real, messy, warm‑hearted connections you love the most?
Book your relaxed, fun‑filled session on our tranquil family farm (or at your favourite Auckland spot) and leave with images that feel timeless and true.
What’s stopping you from booking family photos?
You want beautiful family photos, but the whole thing feels…
Like a hassle.
Like too much to organise.
Like something you’ll “get around to” when life slows down.
Maybe you’ve been burned by past sessions that felt stiff, awkward, or totally unlike your actual family.
Maybe the idea of wrangling everyone into clean clothes and convincing them to smile sounds more stressful than skipping it altogether.
And let’s be honest, when you’re always the one behind the camera, it’s easy to miss being in the photos at all.
Time keeps moving. Kids grow fast.
And that “perfect” time you’re waiting for?
It doesn’t exist.
““Because looking back, it’s never the big stuff that stays with you—it’s those little laughs, inside jokes, and everyday moments that you end up missing most.””
I get it, because I’m right here with you
I still remember the feeling of my baby girl sitting up for the first time, the way I’d tickle the back of her neck and she’d erupt in this little giggle.
These days, my son doesn’t snuggle into my lap like he used to — he’s too busy shouting “six, seven!” and racing off.
That shift happens quietly.
You don’t always realise it’s the last time until it’s long gone.
As a mum of three, I know how fleeting these stages are.
And as a photographer, I’ve felt the difference between stiff, posed photos…
and the kind that feel like soft memories — the kind where your child’s real smile shows up, unprompted, mid-laugh.
That’s what I aim to give you.
Not just pretty pictures, but something deeper — the quirks, connections, and joy that make your family yours.
Because when families walk out of my studio saying
“That felt so easy, like we were just hanging out, and somehow we got all these beautiful photos…”
I know we’ve done it right.
What you’ll walk away with from your family photoshoot
This is more than just a gallery of pretty pictures.
It’s a gift to your future self.
True-to-life photos that feel like you
No stiff posing. No fake smiles. Just the warmth, connection, and real emotion that makes your family one of a kind.
Time to slow down and actually enjoy it
This isn’t rushed. You get the time and space to connect, play, and be present — while I quietly capture the magic.
A meaningful experience, not just another to-do
Most parents leave saying they felt more connected, more relaxed — like they’d just had a moment to be with their kids, not just pose with them.
Images you’ll actually want to print
Think custom wall art, stunning albums, and keepsakes you’ll pass down one day — not forgotten files buried in a folder.
Support from start to finish
From styling help and outfit options, to gentle guidance during the shoot, you’ll feel confident and taken care of every step of the way.
What to expect from your Auckland family photography session
Step 1: Let’s chat
Once you book, we’ll hop on a quick call or email to get to know your family, choose your dream location, and chat through styling. You’ll get my full prep guide and access to my curated client wardrobe.
Step 2: Your session day
You’ll arrive feeling prepped, not panicked. Whether we’re in the studio, on the beach, or running barefoot through the paddocks, I’ll gently guide you so nothing feels forced. We’ll laugh, play, and create something honest and beautiful.
Step 3: Your gallery reveal
A few weeks later, you’ll get to relive the magic. I’ll share a curated slideshow of your images — then you can choose your favourites and decide how you’d love to display them, from digital files to handcrafted albums and framed art.
Meet your Auckland family photographer, Aisling O’Brien
(pronounced Ashling — it’s very Irish)
I’m a mum to three free spirits who love animals, adventure, and tearing around the farm on motorbikes.
We live in the wild west of Auckland, where life is muddy, noisy, and full of magic — and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Years ago, I booked maternity photos hoping to capture the beauty of that season.
I was eight months pregnant, feeling sore, swollen, and unsure.
The experience? Uncomfortable. Stiff poses. Forced smiles. Three separate trips into the city for photos that felt nothing like me.
They were expensive, time-consuming — and now they’re buried in the back of my wardrobe.
That stuck with me.
I wanted photos that felt like my life… not someone else's idea of it.
Fast forward nine years, and now I run a successful photography studio on our family farm in North West Auckland — where everything is designed to be the opposite of that experience.
My sessions are relaxed, unposed, and filled with ease.
No pressure. No perfection. Just honest moments and beautiful images that reflect the real connection you share with your people.
I’ve trained professionally, learned on the job with my own wild crew, and created a process that helps families feel at home in front of the camera.
Because time moves fast — and you deserve photos that help you remember what it felt like.
Kind words from families like yours
“Aisling made our whole family shoot easy, enjoyable, and fun.
She’s skilful at coaxing smiles and laughter out of children and adults alike, and makes a sometimes daunting process feel relaxed and candid.”
— Sarah
“The shoot itself was great. But the end product? Astounding.
Truly beautiful pictures, better than I could have even hoped for.”
— David
“Nothing felt posed or awkward.
It was just like we were all hanging out, chatting, while Aisling subtly snapped away.”
— Zoe
“Ais made us feel so welcome. Her space is beautiful and well thought out.
The kids had a great time with all the props, and the photos are such a taonga.
Thank you for capturing everything so candidly.” ❤️
— April
How the family photography experience works
Step 1 — Book your session
Choose a date that works for your family. We'll follow up with a quick chat to learn about your crew, location preferences, and anything you'd love to capture.
Step 2 — Get styled and prepped
You’ll receive a full prep guide plus access to my client wardrobe, so you’ll feel confident and comfortable on the day — no frantic outfit planning required.
Step 3 — Enjoy your session
We’ll laugh, explore, cuddle, and let the magic unfold. Whether we’re in the studio, on the beach, or running around the paddocks, I’ll guide you gently and capture the good stuff.
Step 4 — Relive the joy
A few weeks later, you’ll receive a curated slideshow of your images. From there, you can select your favourites and choose how you’d love to keep them — digitals, albums, framed art, or all of the above.
Family photos made to last
Digital photos are great, but there’s nothing like holding your family’s story in your hands.
The framed print on the wall.
The album you pull out when they suddenly look way too grown up.
The little reminder of how tiny their hands once were.
That’s why I don’t stop at sending you a gallery.
I help you turn your favourite images into something real — something you’ll treasure.
Session Fee: $275
This locks in your date and covers:
A relaxed and fully guided photo session
Personalised styling support and access to my client wardrobe
A full prep guide to make the day feel easy
Professional editing and a custom slideshow of your images
Image Collections: from $775
Choose your collection after you’ve seen your gallery. Most families invest between $1,000–$3,500 in:
Custom-framed wall art
Luxury photo albums
High-res digital files
Handcrafted keepsakes for generations to come
Your memories deserve more than a forgotten folder on your computer.
Let’s create something beautiful to hold onto every day.
Is this the right family photography experience for you?
Yes, the Full Family Experience is for you if…
You want relaxed, natural photos without stiff poses
You’re craving space to slow down, play, and connect with your kids
You love the idea of choosing your own location — beach, bush, backyard, or farm
You’re keen to create something meaningful and lasting, not just digital files
You want styling support and a calm, guided experience from start to finish
You’re ready to be in the photos, not just the one taking them
It’s probably not for you if…
You’re after a fast, minimal session with a smaller gallery
You don’t want to choose or travel to a location
You’d prefer a studio-only experience with a tighter timeframe
You’re not ready to invest in custom artwork or keepsakes
If that sounds more like what you need right now — no stress.
My Petite Studio Sessions might be a better fit.
But if you're ready to slow down, sink into the moment, and tell your family’s story in a deeper way…
This one’s for you.
Family Photography FAQs
