Family Photography Experience – Nikki Schell Photography

Fenwick Island • Bethany Beach • North Ocean City

The Family Photography Experience

Whether you’re celebrating a family milestone or creating memories during your beach vacation, I’d love to capture the joy, laughter, and connection of your family on the coast.

Connect with Nikki

Family Photography Gallery

“I cried happy tears when I saw the photos! Then, when I showed my mom, she cried happy tears, too. We are so happy with the way Nikki captured our family!”

Family Photography Investment

Immediate Family Session

Perfect for single households: parents and children

Starting at $475 (families of 3-6 people)
Additional child: +$25 each

What’s Included:

30-45 minute beach session
20 professionally edited high-resolution digital images
Personal print release
Private online gallery for viewing and sharing
Images delivered within 3 weeks

Want more images?

Add 10 digital images: +$125
Upgrade to full gallery (all keepers): +$250

Book Your Session

Extended Family Session

Great for beach reunions with grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins

Starting at $750 (groups up to 12 people)
Additional person: +$45 each

What’s Included:

60-90 minute beach session (timing based on group size)
40 professionally edited high-resolution digital images
Personal print release
Private online gallery for viewing and sharing
Images delivered within 3 weeks

Want More Images?

Add 10 digital images: +$125
Upgrade to full gallery (all keepers): +$300

Book Your Session

Additional Details

Booking & Policies

To Reserve Your Session: A $200 non-refundable retainer and signed contract secure your date. The remaining balance is due on the day of your session.

Travel & Location Fees: Sessions within 10 miles of Fenwick Island (19944) have no travel fee. Sessions beyond this radius may include a travel fee. Some beach locations require parking or entry fees paid directly to Delaware State Parks—these are not included in session pricing.

Print Products: Professional prints, canvases, and albums are available for purchase through your online gallery. You’re also welcome to print your images at your preferred print shop using the included print release.

Pets Welcome! Your furry family members are always welcome at pet-friendly locations. Just let me know you’re bringing them when you book!

Please Note: Pricing is subject to change. Current pricing applies to sessions booked and contracted.

“Nikki has such a gift. She made our session feel relaxed and fun, and somehow captured the love and connection in our family so perfectly. We absolutely love our photos and are so thankful to have these memories.”

Frequently Asked Questions

Don’t see your question? Feel free to reach out or read additional FAQ here.

Step One: Booking & Planning
Once you are ready to book, I will send you a contract and invoice. A non-refundable retainer & signed contract are due to reserve your session date/time. The remaining balance is due the day of your session.

As we get closer to your session, we’ll plan the finer details: meet-up location, outfit styling, and exact timing. On the day before your session, we’ll communicate (via email or text message) to confirm the details.

Step Two: Your Session
At your session, we’ll start by chatting to get everyone comfortable. I will spend a little extra time with small kiddos to make sure they aren’t totally afraid. Sometimes this means I show them my camera, or try to get high fives, or ask them silly questions. As we start capturing photos, I will guide you through the entire session. We’ll move, laugh, play, and dance.

Step Three: Editing & Gallery Delivery
After your session, I’ll back up all the files and make sure everything is safe and secure. I’ll then carefully edit all the best images from your session—typically 40-60+ images for immediate family sessions and 75-100+ for extended family sessions.

Within 3 weeks, you’ll receive your full online gallery to review. You’ll choose your favorite 20 images (immediate family) or 40 images (extended family) to download and keep.

Love more than that? You can easily add 10 additional images or upgrade to download the entire gallery.

Your full gallery will remain available for a year, giving you plenty of time to choose your favorites and decide if you’d like to add more images.

Step Four: Prints & Art Work
Once you’ve selected your images, you can download your digital files. For physical prints, I highly recommend ordering directly from your gallery for the best quality outcome, but you are welcome to order from whatever printshop you prefer! Additionally, you can order heirloom-quality albums and wall art directly from your gallery.

I primarily photograph at beaches or along the bay, but the choice is entirely up to you! Based in Fenwick Island, I often work at beaches in Fenwick, Bethany, Dewey, Rehoboth, and Ocean City, MD. I’m also happy to travel to Lewes and Assateague Island upon request. Occasionally, sessions are held on the bay, at clients’ homes, or on their boats.

While I specialize in beach photography, which is what most clients seek me for, I’m excited to bring your vision to life at any location you choose. If you have a specific spot in mind, just let me know—I’m always thrilled to explore new places!

The duration of your session will vary based on how many people are involved. Immediate family sessions last between 30-45 minutes – usually it depends on how the small children are doing!

Extended family sessions last between 60-90 minutes, with larger groups taking more time. We capture the photos with everyone right at the start, and as we split into smaller groupings, you/your children may get a break.

Sessions are scheduled for either Sunrise or Sunset as this gives us the best lighting and the fewest number of people in the images.

Sunrise photos start at sunrise and are bright and early.
Sunset photos start about 1-1.5 hours before the sun goes down.
Since Sunrise and Sunset times change throughout the year, session start times will adjust accordingly.

Your full edited gallery will be delivered within 3 weeks. You’ll choose your favorite 20 or 40 images to download, with options to add more.

Every image from your session is professionally edited for color, tone, and lighting to ensure your photos look beautiful and consistent. I enhance the natural beauty of each scene—adjusting exposure, color balance, and contrast so your images have that warm, coastal feel.

My editing style focuses on keeping your photos natural and true to life. I’ll remove background distractions and temporary blemishes such as minor scrapes, bruises, and pimples. If it won’t be there in a week, I’ll make sure it’s not memorialized in your images.

However, I don’t do body retouching or alterations. My goal is to capture your family authentically as you are in this moment.

If you have specific concerns about editing, I’m always happy to discuss them during our planning conversation!

For group photos, coordinating outfits in advance can be very helpful. Choose outfits that reflect your style and comfort. Solid colors or subtle patterns work best, and avoid large logos. Coordinating colors among group members can create a cohesive look.

I’ll send you a detailed session guide with outfit suggestions and tips once you book!

If we see rain in the forecast, our first step is to try to work around it. This can mean either keeping the date but changing the session time or moving the session location. If there’s no gap in the crummy weather, we try to reschedule to a date/time available for everyone. If that doesn’t work, I can provide a refund (minus a small processing fee) OR a credit for a session, good for up to one year.

Delaware beach weather can be unpredictable, but we’ll make it work!

Generally, you don’t need to bring much. However, if you have young children, a favorite toy or treat can be helpful. Playing a song they like on a phone can also help them feel more at ease. While not required, additional props or blankets can enhance your photos.

Mini sessions aren’t available during peak summer season, but I offer limited seasonal mini sessions in fall and winter (think holiday cards and beach bonfires!). Join my email list so you don’t miss out when I announce dates!