Honestly? Every season has something beautiful to offer - but the most popular times are summer (June- August) and fall (September–October) when the light is golden and the colors are stunning. Spring sessions are lovely too, especially for families who want fresh green backdrops. Winter sessions in my Brookfield studio are a wonderful option when it's too cold to be outside (which, in Wisconsin, is a lot of months - I say that with love). The key is to book early, because these seasons fill up fast!

The Milwaukee area is packed with gorgeous options! Popular spots include local parks throughout the suburbs, wooded trails, open fields, lakefront areas, and charming neighborhoods with beautiful backdrops. My Brookfield studio is always available for indoor sessions too. During your consultation, we'll choose a location that fits your family's vibe - whether that's relaxed and natural, a little more polished, or somewhere personally meaningful to you.

For fall sessions (the most popular time of year), I recommend booking 2-3 months in advance - sometimes even earlier, as September and October fill up quickly. For spring and summer, 4-6 weeks is usually enough lead time. If you have a specific date in mind (like a family reunion, holiday visit, or milestone birthday), reach out as soon as possible so we can save your date.

This is one of the most common questions I get - and one of my favorites to help with! The goal is coordinated without being matchy-matchy. Choose a color palette (2–3 colors that complement each other), vary the textures and layers, and dress at a consistent level of formality. Avoid logos or patterns that compete for attention. Most importantly, wear something everyone feels comfortable in - that comfort shows up in your photos. We'll talk through outfit ideas together at your pre-session consultation.

Most family sessions run 1 to 1.5 hours - enough time to work through a few different groupings (whole family, just the kids, parents together) and capture some genuine candid moments in between. I keep the pace relaxed and fun so nobody feels like it's a chore. Kids especially do better when the session moves at a natural, unhurried pace. Multi-generational family sessions will take a bit longer because those groups, naturally, are larger.

Oh, I have been here so many times - and I promise it's going to be okay! Little ones are unpredictable, and I plan for that entirely. I'm patient, I'm silly when I need to be, and I know how to work with real kids (not the ones who magically sit still for the camera). Some of the most beautiful, genuine family images come from the in-between moments - a kid mid-giggle, a toddler being scooped up, the real look of your family. That's the stuff worth framing.

Yes! I love extended family sessions -grandparents, cousins, the whole crew. We'll just make sure to plan accordingly so we have enough time to capture all the different groupings you want. Reach out and we'll talk through the logistics together.

Absolutely - outdoor sessions are some of my favorites! The Milwaukee area has so many beautiful parks and natural spaces that make for stunning family portraits. We'll pick a location together during your consultation based on the look and feel you're going for. I'm happy to suggest spots based on your suburb or neighborhood.

About 2–3 days after your session, we'll meet for your Reveal + Selection Appointment - a dedicated time where you'll see all your proof images on a big screen and choose your favorites together. It's genuinely one of the most fun parts of the whole experience! Your edited, finished prints and products are typically ready within a few weeks after your order is placed.

Yes! Every printed product you purchase - wall art, albums, legacy boxes, gift prints - includes the matching digital file. You'll never have to choose between a beautiful print or a digital copy. You get both, always.

Yes, and I have a lot of experience with the unpredictable ones! Toddlers and young kids are some of my favorite subjects, even when (especially when) they have their own agenda. I'm patient, I'm goofy when it calls for it, and I know how to capture genuine moments rather than forcing smiles that nobody believes anyway. Whether you have a busy two-year-old or a houseful of kids at different ages, I'll meet your family exactly where you are.

Stories Framed Photography is located at 155 S. Executive Dr. #115 in Brookfield, WI - right in the heart of the Milwaukee metro area. I serve families throughout Brookfield, Wauwatosa, Elm Grove, New Berlin, Waukesha, Pewaukee, Muskego, Greenfield, Franklin, and the greater Milwaukee area. Sessions can be held in my Brookfield studio or on location throughout the region.

A few things set the experience apart. Every session starts with a real conversation - a consultation where I get to know your family, your goals, and what you're hoping to walk away with. There are no cookie-cutter poses or rushed timelines. I'm a product-based photographer, which means your portraits end up as real, beautiful heirloom pieces - framed wall art, albums, legacy boxes - not just digital files you'll never print. I've been photographing Milwaukee-area families for over a decade and have earned multiple Top Choice Milwaukee awards along the way.

Yes! Stories Framed Photography, based in Brookfield, WI, is a multiple Top Choice Milwaukee award winner and a member of the Professional Photographers of America (PPA). Abbie Miller has spent over a decade capturing Milwaukee-area families in a style that's warm, natural, and real - portraits you'll actually hang on your walls and treasure for years.