chasing the light, the fun & the feels wherever your love takes us I Central coast, Sydney & beyond
Underatreehouse  I
wedding + elopement photographY

Real life, natural, candid Family Photography

Family Photographers Terrigal, Umina Beach, Avoca Beach, Inner West Sydney, Northern Beaches, Newcastle, Lake Macquarie

Real Life. Honest Moments.
Natural & Fun Sessions.

Central Coast & Sydney Family Photography

Not necessarily perfect,
But perfectly Real

Family photography doesn’t need stiff poses, matching outfits, or kids being told to sit still and smile on cue. That’s not real life — and it’s definitely not how your family feels day to day.

My approach to family photography is relaxed, informal, and fun — focused on documenting real moments rather than posed perfection. It’s about documenting a chapter of your lives exactly as it is right now — the chaos, the calm, the inside jokes, the mess, the quiet moments you don’t realise you’ll miss until they’re gone.

Because kids grow fast. And these ordinary days? They’re everything.

- Rachel Ricketts

Chris was absolutely amazing – not only did he capture the most beautiful family photos, but he also made us feel completely comfortable throughout the experience.

I won’t ask your kids to perform or behave a certain way. I won’t force moments that don’t feel natural. And I definitely won’t expect anyone to be “on” the whole time.

Instead, I’ll quietly observe, respond to what’s unfolding, and document the moments that actually matter — the way your kid squeezes your hand, the sideways glance between you, the laughter that comes out of nowhere.

This is about celebrating your family as they are, not how they think they should be.

I'm a Dad too.
I get it!

me & my family

➣ Want photos that feel like them

➣ Value memories over perfection

➣ Are happy to embrace a bit of chaos

➣ Don't mind sandy clothes or messy kitchens

➣ Love seeing their kids being kids

➣ Want warm, story-driven imagery

For Families who...

What You'll Receive

You’ll receive a carefully curated gallery of images that reflect your family’s rhythm, connection, and personality.

Photos that feel lived-in. Photos that bring you straight back to this season of your life. Photos that your kids will one day recognise as home.

Package Options

+ 45 mins - 1 hr photography session
+ a mix of group & natural interaction photos
+ 1-6 people
+ one Location
+ a curated online gallery of 60+ images
+ Choose your favourite 20 Images to download

$600

A relaxed and unforced Family Portrait session. Perfect for families who want honest photos without turning it into a big production. We’ll spend up to an hour together getting a mix of portraits and natural interaction photos.

Generally, we'll head to the beach, a park or even your home.

There's no need to feel like you need to perform. I’ll let things unfold naturally, with gentle guidance where needed.

The Here & Now

+ 1 - 1.5 hr photography session
+ a mix of group & natural interaction photos
+ 7+ people
+ one Location
+ a curated online gallery of 60+ images
+ Choose your favourite 20 Images to download

$750

The Family Gathering is designed for bigger groups and multi-generational families coming together. Great for reunions, milestone birthdays, or those rare times when everyone is in the same place at once.

With more people comes more movement, more energy, and more moments happening at once — so extra time is built in. We’ll make sure to capture a few clear, connected group photos, then shift focus to the interactions around them: conversations, kids bouncing between adults, laughter, and the quieter moments in between.

Family Gathering

+ 4 Hour or 6-8 hour photography session
+ An authentic Documentary Approach
+ a good helping of Portraits too
+ Designed for Your Immediate tribe
+ Home & Other locations
+ a curated online gallery of images
+ All edited Digital images Available to download
+ Capturing the moments that mean the most to you and tell your family story

Half-Day Documentary $2000
Full-Day Documentary $3000

The Family Story is the most immersive way to document your lives.

Spending half a day or a full day together allows space for kids to relax, forget about the camera, and simply be themselves. I won’t even bring the camera out straight away — connection always comes first.

This might include baking in the kitchen, lazy mornings in bed, beach adventures, jumping off the ferry wharf, picnics that don’t go to plan, or simply moving through your day as you normally would.

What you’re left with is a true snapshot of this chapter — not just how your family looks, but how it feels to be part of it.

Our Family Story

- Tania Chetcuti

If you're looking for a talented photographer who truly cares about his craft and clients, look no further!

FAQ's

What if my kids don't cooperate?

That’s completely okay — and honestly, expected. Kids don’t need to perform for these sessions. They’re allowed to be shy, loud, grumpy, silly, or completely uninterested at first.

I work slowly and without pressure. I’ll spend time chatting, playing, or just being around so they can get used to me. I don’t force interactions or moments, and I won’t rush in with a camera straight away. Trust builds first — the photos follow.

Do we need to pose or know what to do?

Nope. You don’t need to plan moments or worry about what you’re doing with your hands.

I’ll gently guide things if needed, but for the most part I’m responding to what naturally unfolds. You just focus on being with your people — I’ll take care of the rest.

That said — if you’d like a few relaxed, looking-at-the-camera shots, that’s absolutely fine. Every session naturally includes some of those moments. We’ll keep them easy, quick, and natural, without turning the whole shoot into a posing exercise.

What should we wear?

Neutral tones, layers, and comfortable clothes tend to photograph well, but the most important thing is that everyone feels at ease. If you want to show personality, that's up to you. However, I would avoid bold patterns or any brand logos as they will be a big distraction in the imagery.

Avoid wearing all the same clothes (blue jeans and white tops looks very 90's!). Instead, choose colours and tones that complement each other. You're all individual but you are all connected.

I’m always happy to help with outfit guidance if you want a second opinion.

Can we include pets?

Absolutely. Pets are part of the family and very welcome in sessions — especially if they’re part of your everyday life.

What about large family groups?

Large family groupings are totally okay — and they have their own session option.

The Family Gathering is designed for extended families of 7+ people, with extra time built in to allow for movement, conversation, and kids drifting in and out. We’ll capture a few clear, connected group photos, then focus on the in-between moments that happen around them.

Even with bigger groups, the aim is always the same: natural interactions, genuine connection, and images that feel like your family — not a formal lineup.

What if the weather isn’t great?

Overcast days, wind, light rain — it can all add texture and atmosphere. However, I understand it isn't ideal for everyone, so we'll keep an eye on the weather in the lead-up to the shoot. If it genuinely looks like it's not going to work, then we can reschedule for a new date.

Where do sessions take place?

Sessions can happen at home, outdoors, or a mix of both.

Most families choose locations that already mean something to them — the beach you always go to, your local park, your kitchen, your morning routine. I am happy to make suggestions for places I know work well too. 

When will we receive our gallery?

Your online gallery will generally be delivered within 1-2 weeks of the shoot.

How many images will we receive?

The 'Our Family Story' Package includes a fully curated and edited gallery of images from our time together. With this package you can expect 200-400 images.

With the 'Here & Now' and 'Family Gathering' Packages, you will be able to select your favourite 20 images to download as standard. You may choose to access and download the full gallery of images (generally 60-100) for an additional $150.

Simply fill out the form below to get started - if you’re unsure about any of the options, feel free to write “unsure” or shoot me an email via hello@underatreehouse.com.au

I can't wait to start creating some beautiful mementos for you and your family. I’d love to hear what your family looks like right now — where you spend your time, what your kids are into, and what you want to remember from this season of your lives.

Let's create some family memories!