If your family is only together for a few days—or even just a weekend—it can feel like there’s no time to fit in a photo session. But here’s the good news: you can get beautiful, meaningful family photos, even on a tight schedule. The key is planning ahead and working with a photographer who can help you make the most of your time together.

Recently, I had the pleasure of working with Ellen, who reached out to me for a special session with her elderly dog, Decaf. As a dog mom,