lifestyle photographer columbus ohio

let’s capture something real
Two young sisters laughing together on an inflatable slide, captured by lifestyle photographer Daisy Zimmer
A young girl with curly blond hair and a purple dress, captured by lifestyle photographer Daisy Zimmer

Ever felt frustrated trying to get the “perfect” family portrait?

You know what I’m talking about: the park photo session with the cookie-cutter poses that look nothing like anything your family actually does together?

Crazy idea: What if instead, we made colorful art of your everyday life? What if the experience was easy and your family actually enjoyed it?

What if you believed me?

Tell me more

I’m Daisy, and you’re very welcome here.

I offer stress-free documentary photo experiences that capture you in the middle of your favorite memories. No saying cheese or bribing your kids. Ever. 

Family photos can feel both exciting and stressful, but I can guarantee to minimize the stress now that you’re here. I’ll guide you every step of the way.

meet your new photographer
Daisy, a lifestyle photographer in Columbus Ohio, is wearing a tie-dye shirt and blowing bubbles in front of a colorful painted wall

If you want to feel nostalgic for the present, look no further. Daisy does not miss a beat.

Our photos are a reminder that what we have in life is beautiful, invaluable, and uniquely wonderful to us.

Rachael pulls out a Jenga piece hesitantly while her son and husband giggle behind her back, a moment captured by lifestyle photographer Daisy Zimmer
A family cuddled together on the bed reading books, captured by lifestyle photographer Daisy Zimmer

what is a family Story session?

Hint: it’s a lot more than pretty pictures.

Documentary family photos have superpowers. They have the ability to bring people together over inside jokes, little moments, and shared stories about the good ol’ days.

Whether that means we bring out board games, whip up a tasty family recipe in the kitchen, or laugh until we’re breathless, I’m here for all of it. 

The end result? Photos that actually show your family doing what you love. Photos you can proudly share with relatives and hang on the walls and say, “this is us.”

a child holds up a large pink hibiscus flower to hide their face, a candid moment captured by Columbus Ohio lifestyle photographer Daisy Zimmer

Chaos is encouraged. Yes, really.

Everyone worries about how their kids (or their spouse) will behave during photos. Traditional family portraits can feel cheesy and faked with the “1, 2, 3, smile.” Not in front of my lens. 

I will help you come up with a plan and provide guidance on how we can structure our time together, but this is 2 hours of your life where you get to re-connect as a family. Your photos will capture the genuine fun and laughter you share together.

Let’s make your new favorite family photos

HOW IT WORKS

1. Say hello

You reach out to me, and we chat on the phone. You spill the beans about your family, I share details about my process. If we fit together like PB&J, we find a time for your session.

I’ll send you everything you need to feel prepared and confident.

2. Have a stress-free session

I come over for an extended playdate. Our first session together is in your home, where your kids are most comfortable (which makes the best photos). We spend about 2 hours together turning memories into your new favorite photos.

3. The reveal

Just 3 weeks later, you get your gallery of images. You watch the slideshow and cry alligator tears. You get the digital files, and you also have my support in designing albums and prints so you have something tangible to display around your home. You do a happy dance. You did it!

Get started – schedule a call

Daisy made the whole process so relaxing. We all felt so comfortable with her.

My kids do best at home where they’re free to run and be wild, and Daisy jumped right into the chaos and seemed to have just as much fun as they were.

family portfolio

  • A young boy sweetly holds his younger brother's face in his hands, captured by lifestyle photographer Daisy Zimmer
  • Beau pretends to tuck his dad in for a nap in the playroom of their home in Columbus Ohio
  • A child's feet wearing socks in a patch of green summer grass
  • Cora and Naomi laugh on the floor of their living room in Columbus Ohio
  • Sarah sprinkles Maddy with the hose in their backyard, captured by lifestyle photographer Daisy Zimmer
  • Chris and Rachelle sit with their son on the couch, a relaxed moment captured by lifestyle photographer Daisy Zimmer
  • A little girl's hands, artistically captured by lifestyle photographer Daisy Zimmer
  • A young boy smiling with melting ice cream on his face during sunset in Columbus Ohio, captured by lifestyle photographer Daisy Zimmer
  • a husband and wife peek at each other over the tops of books they are holding
  • Olive the dog peeks over Joe and Isla's shoulders at their cups of hot chocolate, candidly captured at their home in Columbus Ohio
  • A mom holding her baby as the baby looks in a mirror at her reflection
  • Tiffany and her young daughter Luna look out the glass window of a cafe in Grandview Heights, Ohio
  • Siblings jump on a trampoline in their back yard in Columbus Ohio, captured by lifestyle photographer Daisy Zimmer
  • A brother and sister have a tickle fight in the foyer of their home in Columbus Ohio, captured by lifestyle photographer Daisy Zimmer
  • Bowie the golden retriever tugs at a rope
  • Three siblings wearing colorful helmets strike a silly pose on their bikes in their Columbus Ohio neighborhood
  • A close-up of a mom and daughter's feet walking through orange leaves
  • A little girl rides on her dad's shoulders through their back yard in Columbus Ohio, a candid moment captured by lifestyle photographer Daisy Zimmer
  • A family with two young songs plays electric guitar in their living room in Columbus Ohio
  • Coledyn and Emerson eat popsicles on the front steps of their house in Columbus Ohio
  • Tim leads baby Aspen by the hand through their back yard in Columbus Ohio
  • Avery blows a raspberry while sitting at her kitchen table in Columbus Ohio, captured by lifestyle photographer Daisy Zimmer
  • A little girl's blurry feet running through pebbles at the side of a stream in Columbus Ohio
  • Baby Avery rests on her mom's chest in their bed in Columbus Ohio, a precious moment captured by lifestyle photographer Daisy Zimmer

Pro-DIVERSITY. Pro-Acceptance. Pro-INCLUSIVITY.

I’m all about capturing life’s beautiful moments, no matter who you are or how you experience the world. Every family is a masterpiece in its own unique way. 

Lifestyle photographer columbus Ohio

family story session pricing

a mom and her two daughters on a bed laughing in a candid moment captured by lifestyle photographer Daisy Zimmer

$1500 (weekend) // $1200 (weekday)

  • A 2-hour documentary session tailored to your family
  • Access to Welcome Guide & online styling service
  • Online gallery with all the digital images
  • 2 month access to the gallery store to shop for prints, albums, and frames
Get started – schedule a call

GOT QUESTIONS?

I’ve got answers!

For first time clients, I usually insist that our initial session is in your home. Families hire me for photos that accurately tell the story of what their life looks like right now. They hire me for the level of comfortability and connection encouraged during the session, where they can pour their energy into each other instead of the distractions that usually happen in a public place or a park. Think about the things that define your life right now: what games do you play? What makes your kids laugh? What moments make you feel most happy as a family? Then think about where it makes the most sense to capture that.

Unlike “1-2-3-say cheese” photos, I provide a truly laid-back experience. A longer session gives your kids a chance to get fully comfortable with me, without the pressure to perform in a time constraint. I’ll help you plan activities during the session that tell your story, and keep your kids happy and laughing. Pretty soon, you’ll all forget there is a camera in the room!

You’re in good company, because 99% of my clients express the same concerns before the session. But from here forward, you can think of me as family. Working with me is as low-pressure as it gets. I’m patient with shy kids, and crazy and wild with outgoing kids. If your family needs a specialized approach, or if I need to shoot strategically to avoid certain areas of your home, that is totally doable.

Your phone’s camera roll might have a lot of cute snapshots, but it’s also cluttered with memes and screenshots of dinner recipes and other crap that will eventually be deleted. The photos we make together are special. They are created with love and intention. And the best part is, you’ll actually be IN these photos. You will proudly hang them on your walls, pass them down for generations, and cherish them above anything else you own. They will last.

your family is The bee’s knees.

get the photos to prove it.

book your session