The Experience

Prior to your session, we’ll meet for a virtual design consultation to determine the perfect sizing and layout for your home. We’ll also plan outfits and address any questions to make sure your session is perfect! 

On the day of your session, we’ll welcome you to our home studio, where each family member (children, dogs, cats, or any beloved pet) will be beautifully photographed. Studio Sessions will be 15 – 30 minutes long, averaging around 5 minutes per person or animal.

Within a week following your session, we’ll review the images together and help you select your favorites for printing and framing. Your finished portraits will be ready for pickup within 3 to 5 weeks after placing your order.

The Perfect Mother’s Day Gift

This Mother’s Day, celebrate the love and joy of family with custom Family Art Portraits—a meaningful gift that lasts a lifetime. Whether you’re a mom wanting to create cherished artwork for your home, or  looking for the perfect gift to surprise her with, we’ll capture the beauty of your family in a way she’ll treasure forever.

Don’t wait until it’s too late! Sessions must be photographed by April 1st to ensure delivery in time for Mother’s Day. Click the Contact Button above to schedule your consultation, and give the gift of lasting memories.

Common Questions

Do I need to have three kids for this to work?
Not at all! We customize the series to fit your family. To achieve the triptych look, you might include two kids and a pet, two individual portraits of your kids plus one of them together, or even a single child with three different expressions. Parents are welcome to join in, too! There are endless creative possibilities to design the perfect artwork for your home.

Are pets limited to dogs?
Nope! We’re happy to include most pets—dogs, cats, hamsters, and more. Due to space limitations in the studio, larger animals like horses may need to be photographed on location.

Can we include more than three family members?
Absolutely! While we start with a triptych (three panels), we can add as many panels as needed to include everyone. Whether you have four kids or a larger mix of kids and pets, we’ll create a design that beautifully showcases your whole family.

Does this have to be photographed on a white background?
Our studio sessions are all photographed on a white background for a clean, timeless look. However, we’re happy to offer an on-location option for an additional fee.

Can we use pictures we already have?
Because children grow so quickly, we love capturing fresh portraits that reflect their current age. If you have recent images taken by Aaron Watson Photography, we’d be happy to check if they meet the size and style requirements for this artistic series.

Why is only half of the face showing? Is there a full face portrait option?
Absolutely! We offer a variety of styles, including full-face portraits, full-body images, and the signature half-face look seen in our examples. Each option is beautifully and artfully photographed to create stunning artwork for your home.

Are digital images included?

This artwork series is designed specifically for creating stunning pieces for your home. However, we’re happy to provide social media images of any portraits you purchase so you can share them with friends and family. If you’d like to purchase additional portraits beyond those for your walls, we offer a variety of à la carte options, including albums and gift prints.

What is the investment?
The investment for your Family Art Series depends on the size and number of portraits you select for your home. We offer a range of options, and during your consultation, we’ll walk you through the details and help you choose the best fit for your space and budget. Schedule a call, and we’ll walk through the details to create the perfect artwork for your family!

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This collection of top proposal and engagement photos from 2024 celebrates our recent couples and their sweet moments, which we were lucky to capture. Charlottesville offers an array of stunning locations for the best proposal and engagement photos. Venues like Hazy Mountain Vineyards & Brewery and The Market at Grelen offer wonderful views amidst the scenic and spectacular Blue Ridge mountain views. If you’re dreaming of a classic, elegant setting, Keswick Hall and Albemarle Estate at Trump Winery provide timeless charm with its lush gardens and historic architecture.

For a more intimate, serene feel, The Gardens at Waterperry Farm offer picturesque, lush greenery, which makes for a romantic, intimate setting. And, if you’re looking for a dramatic cityscape, Scott House in Richmond, Virginia has iconic architecture that can serve as an unforgettable backdrop for your special moment. Maymont is another popular location for engagement photos. The Victorian estate hosts beautifully curated Italian and Japanese gardens. Each garden is carefully curated with elegant stonework, statuary, gazebos, fountains and filled with beautiful flowers, waterfalls, shrubs and trees. These locations served as the perfect backdrop for creating many of our most romantic proposal and timeless engagement photos of 2024.

We love photographing proposal and engagement sessions, as they allow us unique opportunities to establish meaningful connections with our couples. If you are searching for the Best Charlottesville Proposal Photographers to help you make this life-changing moment truly special, with beautiful photos that you’ll treasure forever then please get in touch! We can’t wait to talk with you and capture the magic of your love story.

Best Charlottesville Proposal Photographers: Aaron Watson Photography

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Living and photographing weddings in Charlottesville is special. Charlottesville has stunning scenery, from rolling vineyards to breathtaking Blue Ridge Mountain views, making it a dream wedding destination. The iconic landscapes here provide the perfect backdrop for every couple’s wedding celebration, whether it’s a romantic field of wildflowers or a breathtaking mountaintop ceremony. The natural beauty of the area never ceases to inspire me, and it makes being a luxury wedding photographer in Charlottesville an absolute joy.

2024 has been a year full of unforgettable Charlottesville Virginia weddings. Each one was unique and filled with heartfelt emotions. A bright and colorful weekend Indian wedding with Monica & Will, an unforgettable, jaw-dropping surprise for Kylie from her parents, and so many more special wedding moments. As a photographer, it was such an honor to capture these moments—the love, the laughter, and all the in-between moments that make every wedding so special.

Every year we pick our top 50 wedding photos, and selecting the best images of 2024 may have been the hardest yet! These amazing wedding photos show not only the beauty of the day, but priceless emotional moments between couples and their families, making them timeless treasures. From intimate first look moments, to jaw-dropping sunsets, these photos are a testament to the best local wedding photography Charlottesville has to offer.

I’ve had the pleasure of working with amazing couples and an incredible team of wedding professionals. These talented vendors really brought their A-game, and their dedication helped create the most stunning celebrations. Thank you to all the couples and vendors who made 2024 such a memorable year. I can’t wait to capture even more incredible love stories in the years to come!

Venue: Mount Ida Farm | Planner: Weddings by Reema

Venue: Pippin Hill Farm | Planner: Details and Lace

Venue: King Family Vineyards | Planner: Kristin Ridge Events

Venue: The Club at Glenmore | Planner: Events with Panache

Venue/Planner: Farmington Country Club

Venue: Trump Winery | Planner: Southern Charm Planning

Venue: Montalto at Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello | Planner: White Birch Events

Venue: Trump Winery | Planner: Magnum Opus Events

Venue: Chiswell Farm & Winery | Planner: Kinsey, Little Acorn Events Co

Venue: King Family Vineyards | Planner: Details and Lace

Venue: Farmington Country Club | Planner: Donovan-Groves Events

Venue: Poplar Springs Manor | Planner: Events With Kristin

Venue: King Family Vineyards | Planner: Victoria Lukehart, Black Tie Entertainment

Venue: Castle Hill Cider | Planner: Cody Smith Weddings

Venue: Veritas Vineyards & Winery | Planner: Remembered Events

Venue/Planner: Trump Winery

Venue/Planner: Veritas Vineyards & Winery

Venue: Early Mountain Vineyards | Planner: Nadia Anderson of Mary Elizabeth Events

Best Wedding Photographers in Charlottesville 2024: Aaron Watson Photography

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Capturing the fun and sweet moments you share with your family is so important, and it’s one of the reasons I love reconnecting with familiar faces and meeting new families to photograph. After 20 years of being a family photographer, it’s incredible to see how much everyone has grown and changed over time! From the sweet anticipation of maternity sessions to the tender milestones in our Watch-Me-Grow series, the excitement of senior portraits, and everything in between! I love capturing all moments and every important milestone in life because I know they will become meaningful and lasting memories.

Fall is a beautiful time for family portraits. The vibrant fall colors and stunning mountain views around Charlottesville’s local spots provide a picturesque backdrop that makes each family photo session unique. From the stunning Blue Ridge Mountains views at Hazy Mountain Vineyards and Chiles Peach Orchard, to the the elegant grounds of the University of Virginia, each spot offers a perfect backdrop for capturing fall family photos. The vibrant foliage and stunning mountain views in Charlottesville, VA create an idyllic setting for photographing family sessions.

For families looking to create lasting memories, Charlottesville’s breathtaking fall landscapes offer the perfect setting. As a fall family portrait photographer, it’s a joy to help families capture the essence of this special season, ensuring they have beautiful images to cherish for years to come. I am honored every time I get to photograph families and help make loving memories they will cherish forever.

Interested in pictures with your family this fall, email us! I would love to create beautiful fall portraits for you!

Fall Family Portrait Photographer Photos by Aaron Watson Photography

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Senior photography sessions are all about having fun, enjoying the moment, and highlighting you. High School senior pictures are more than just photographs, they are timeless memories marking a major life milestone. It’s a moment to express pride in who you are and to celebrate all that you have accomplished during your high school journey.

Audrey’s summer senior photo session at Chiles Peach Orchard was amazing. The orchard’s flowers were in full bloom, providing a stunning backdrop that perfectly matched Audrey’s vibrant personality. I always encourage seniors to incorporate their hobbies and passions into their graduation photo sessions. As a dedicated theater student, Audrey’s playful and dynamic expressions added extra fun to her photo session, making amazing, creative senior photos. Her bright personality and lively expressions truly made the high school senior photography session memorable.

For Audrey, her senior photo session was more than just photos for the yearbook, it was about celebrating who she is and creating a timeless portrait for her to proudly hang on the wall alongside her siblings’ senior portraits. There were too many amazing portraits to choose from, so in addition to her beautiful senior wall portrait we created a timeless senior album that her parents will have to cherish as she goes off to college. As a Charlottesville Senior Portrait Photographer, my goal is to create photographs that are not only beautiful, but also meaningful, showcasing each senior in a timeless way that will be enjoyed forever!

Senior Portrait sessions are happening now, so if you are a senior or know a senior who wants amazing senior photos like these be sure to contact me! I would love to create colorful and timeless senior portraits for you!

Charlottesville Senior Portrait Photographer Photos by Aaron Watson Photography

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