Robin Orvis Photography creates custom portraiture for families, children and newborns. The term custom portraiture is tossed about rather loosely these days. Anyone that takes halfway decent images with a digital camera opens shop and calls themselves a custom photographer. But true custom portraiture is a unique creation. And for most families these special photographs are created only a few times in a lifetime. They are a big event and should be treated as such.

I am an environmental portrait artist. Whether that environment is a park at sunset with magical golden light, or a special place I find inside your home, you can be sure I will carefully plan your session down to the smallest detail.

When you call to book a session we will spend a lot of time talking about what images in my galleries speak to you and what exactly it is you want out of a session. So be prepared for a game of twenty questions and really think about what you want. Are you looking for the chain store photos where you buy pictures by the sheet or are you ready for an indulgent, unique portrait session? If you're intersted in "look at the camera and smile" type portraits where you have 10 minutes with a "faux"tographer I'm not the photographer for you. If you want to collaborate to create works of art, I'm your girl.

So what is a session like? Surprisingly relaxed. I do a lot of work before the session so you get to enjoy yourselves. For children, I like to set the scene and let them play. It's their personality I want to capture not a cheesy smile. So I just wait and watch. That can be hard for some parents because, frankly, sometimes it takes a while. But great portraiture isn't rushed and certainly isn't cookie cutter. I take my time and work until I know I have "the" shot. So grab a cup of coffee and a good book, find a comfortable place and sit back and relax. Your work is done. Your children and I will create great images like those in the "Look at Me Mom!" gallery.

Newborn sessions are best photographed within the first two weeks of life. Anything later and we lose that squishy baby look. I will come to your home and use natural light and studio light to achieve exactly the right look for your family and your home. No scary trips out with a newborn or your stranger-shy 9 month old. I'll find the perfect place in your home to create magical images like those found in the "I'm Here!" gallery.

Is your baby no longer a baby but not grown up yet? Check out my "I'm Too Cool" gallery for those rollercoaster tween/teen years. I love this age where children switch back and forth from child to adult in the blink of an eye. I'll talk to your tween/teen a lot. And while I always want a parent close enough to keep an eye on things, the teen will want you far enough away they can relax and feel they aren't being watched.

If you're interested in a family portrait check out my "Keeping it Real" gallery. Some families are more formal and traditional and want the posed family shot. That's fine. I want your portrait to represent you. But if you're more of a huggy, jumbly, pile of puppies we can have fun with that too. Somewhere inbetween? We'll figure it out. Each family is unique and deserves a photographer that will take the time to figure them out. I love photographing families.

Robin, it was such a pleasure to work with you. The photos were amazing. We loved that you came to the house. It was so easy, especially with the new baby. We are just in love with all of them. Thank you so much for this special treasure.
Carrie L - Kirkwood, MO