The 5 best family photography services in Melbourne for timeless portraits and joyful memories
In a way, pictures make memories last forever. Framed photos in the living room, ones tucked in a parent’s wallet, stuck to the fridge by a magnet, or set as your phone wallpaper—they all take us back to a time that felt easy, full, and carefree.
Maybe that’s why a lot of families visit studios or hire photographers to have their pictures taken professionally. They want to remember the good times, all the firsts and the lasts, in framed, printed, or downloadable keepsakes.
If you’re thinking the same thing, here are the best family photography services in Melbourne you can count on. Parents seeking family portraits, milestone sessions, or relaxed outdoor shoots have turned to them to press pause on life’s sweetest moments.
| How much do family photography services cost in Melbourne? In Melbourne, family photography services typically cost between $100 and over $500 per session. Pricing depends on the package, session length, and inclusions, with some photographers offering options around $150 to $200 only. |
1. Bec Matheson Photography
Address: Melbourne, VIC
Phone: Contact form
Business hours: Monday-Sunday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
At Bec Matheson Photography, shoots can take place at home, a requested special location, or a spot recommended by Bec herself. No matter the setting, parents always love the natural feel of the photos—often crediting her eye for color, lighting, and composition.
Family packages consist of The Weekday at $950, The Weekender at $1,040, and The Extended at $1,320. Running for 1 to 1.5 hours, all sessions include high-resolution digital files, an online gallery, a slideshow, and 10% off future bookings.
During that timeframe, clients praise Bec’s friendly, easygoing nature for putting children at ease and making adults comfortable in front of the camera. However, her calendar fills up quickly—2 to 4 months in advance—making last-minute appointments difficult for some.
Others don’t mind the wait, though—especially for the Maternity & Newborn packages, which start at $720. Clients say Bec brings the same calm and professionalism to these experiences, leaving them with beautiful photos to remember the day with.
Beautiful, natural photos—incredible eye for color and capturing real moments
“If you’re after beautiful, natural photos – Bec is the one! Her photography is stunning. She has an incredible eye for composition, colour, and capturing those real, authentic moments. Her calm and easygoing nature made my sons feel at ease straight away. I absolutely love her work and am so grateful for the special moments she captured for us. Thank you, Bec!”
- Charnay Davinia, Google Review
Made our house look like a studio, friendly approach, and nothing looks staged
“Bec is a talented and professional photographer. She came to our home to do a family shoot with our newborn and her easy going and friendly approach helped to make my husband and I feel relaxed in front of the camera. Bec quickly picked out the best lighting and the photos are stunning. She made our house look like a studio! We are thrilled with the natural and opportunistic shots that she took. Nothing looks too staged and she captured some very special moments. We are thrilled with her work and are having trouble deciding which images to print – they are all perfect. We will definitely call on Bec for any future family shoots – she is an artist!”
- Meryl Archibald, Google Review
2. Jonathan Ong Photography
Address: Melbourne, Australia
Phone: Contact form
Business hours:
- Tuesday & Friday, 9:30 AM to 3:00 PM
- Wednesday, 9:00 AM 3:00 PM
- Saturday, 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM
- Sunday, 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM
One of the first things to know about Jonathan Ong is that he was named one of Australia’s top 20 family photographers by Heartful Magazine in 2023. So it’s easy to see why clients are grateful for his work and say that no one could’ve captured their candid moments better.
He’s worked with families of four, five, and even multiple generations. That includes everyone from months-old babies, toddlers, and teens to middle-aged adults and seniors—some of whom were either camera-shy or chaotic, but whose hearts he managed to win.
And the results are said to tell an honest story and reflect exactly what the client had in mind. The quality, variety, and editing of the digital photos get a lot of love, too—frequently shared on personal social media accounts, which draw in even more customers.
A few just wish the pricing and packages were listed online to see if the at-home or outdoor shoots fit their budget. This is because certain clients didn’t want to fill out the contact form just to find out the rates, only to realize they couldn’t afford the service.
An absolute joy and natural, relaxing multigenerational family shoot
“Working with Jonathan was an absolute joy and he made what could have been a very chaotic family portrait endeavour extremely natural and relaxing. Jon assisted us with capturing a multigenerational family photoshoot with ages ranging 7 months to 90 year old. He approached the kids with ease and won over my 4 year old who can be extremely shy and cautious with strangers! Was all such a breeze and would definitely recommend him to anyone!”
- Nicole Ng, Google Review
Candid moments of our family of five—honest story and respected our requests
“Jon is such a talented & creative photographer who pays attention to the little details & candid moments which makes his photos so special. He was able to tenderly capture the in-between moments for our family of 5. His photos tell a beautiful, honest story; they capture the energy and life behind each photo. We had an incredibly fun & memorable experience doing the photo shoot with Jon, who was calm and composed throughout even when one of our girls was grouchy due to ant bites. He went with the flow, respecting our needs & requests and had a creative way with all three of our girls who warmed up to him very quickly. Our girls thoroughly enjoyed the photo shoot and even our 3 year old said she wanted to do it again, which was a big win!”
- Yu Yen Lee, Google Review
3. Gill Cook Photography
Address: 12 Brindalee Mews, Chadstone
Phone: +61 416 255 156
Business hours:
- Monday-Friday, 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
- Saturday, 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Many parents appreciate Gill of Gill Cook Photography for her use of natural light, helpful posing and outfit tips, and the relaxed process of it all. Sessions can be in clients’ homes or at beautiful outdoor locations—like beaches or parks—in and around Melbourne.
Her packages, ranging from $750 to $950, come with a full online gallery where customers can download at least 50 high-resolution, edited images. People also like the built-in shop for ordering personalized products such as albums and fridge magnets.
While Gill’s child-led approach brings out a natural joy and playfulness in the photos, some parents feel it could be more balanced. When kids are overly unruly, adjusting the entire shoot around them tends to be time-consuming, which isn’t always ideal for everyone.
Even so, most find the pricing affordable, so much so that they look forward to working with her again. On top of that, Gill’s personal branding and product photography come in handy for clients with small businesses, saving them the trouble of finding a separate photographer.
A fun afternoon shoot—gave tips, natural photos, and at ease with kids and adults
“Gill was amazing to work with. She gave advice, hints and tips on what to wear and how to pose for some great natural photos. She was pleasant and at ease with kids and adults, there was no stress and it was a fun afternoon photoshoot. Very happy with how our family photos turned out.”
- Ellen Lim, Google Review
Easy direction, a relaxing experience, and so impressed with the images
“Highly recommend a photo session with Gill. She made the whole process from start to finish so easy with helpful hints and tips to make the experience relaxing and enjoyable. The shoot was fun, and the kids were kept moving and busy, while also capturing great shots. Gill guides and directs the session in an easy manner whilst also following the kids’ lead and allowing the fun playfulness to happen. I was so impressed with the final product and images. It’s so nice to have some beautiful, natural memories. Thank you, Gill!”
- Amy Collingridge, Google Review
4. My Little Tribe Photography
Address: 1/60 E Concourse, Beaumaris
Phone: +61 3 8524 6637
Business hours: By appointment
Weekday sessions at My Little Tribe cost $150, while weekends are priced at $250. Parents like how the team makes everything easy—from a pre-shoot questionnaire for a more personalized shoot to a well-curated selection of final photos, even accommodating kids and furry friends.
Mostly done in the studio, clients are always given a friendly welcome and led by talented photographers who produce high-quality work. Add to that the framing and styling options like wall art and fine art prints—available in packages ranging from $2,150 to $5,250.
Many are also satisfied with the cozy, natural-looking shots they’re able to achieve within the set 30-minute timeframe. But others feel that it’s too short, especially when kids take time to warm up or babies need feeding and settling in.
One upside is their range, which includes Bump to Baby, 100 Days of Life, and extended families. A small downside, though, is the lack of at-home services—something that has held others back due to the more restrictive setup.
Great atmosphere—friendly, welcoming hosts to baby, dog, and parents
“Absolutely great atmosphere, incredibly friendly hosts and felt very at home for our family photo shoot in the studio. Baby, dog and parents were all made to feel very welcome and we can’t wait to see the final photos. Lots of different shoots, and plenty of framing / styling options to buy. Definitely returning for more shoots in the coming years. Would highly recommend!”
Pre-shoot questionnaire helped the flow and stunning, well-thought out selection
“What a beautiful company! We loved everything from the initial contact with Clare where she sought so much understanding of what we were after & suggested wonderful ideas. The pre shoot questionnaire was perfectly pitched and really helped the photoshoot to flow. The shoot itself with Grant was just great, essentially us just doing things we love to do! It wasn’t awkward or forced in the slightest, and the results are stunning. Natural images capturing us in real situations. Even the selection session was well thought out and presented. We loved it all and will definitely re-book for future photos.”
- Rachel Barlow, Google Review
5. Natural Family Photography
Address: Melbourne, VIC
Phone: +61 1300 790 838
Business hours: Monday-Sunday, 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM
True to its name, Natural Family Photography is all about capturing real moments in the great outdoors. Run by husband-and-wife duo Ross and Rochelle, their portfolio features sweet, down-to-earth photos of kids playing in puddles or families nestled under trees.
As parents themselves, it’s no wonder they’re great with shy or rowdy children—particularly those aged two to eleven—drawing out genuine smiles and giggles. Adults also find them easy to work with thanks to their compassion, flexibility, and clear communication throughout.
Meanwhile, the results are said to be high-quality portraits and beautiful prints—some of which have earned international recognition. Notably, they received silver and bronze at the International Loupe Awards for photobook, portrait, and commercial pieces.
Despite the positives, the lack of a detailed price list online has made it difficult for others to budget, with a few noting the hassle of having to call just for a quote. It helps that a handful of reviews mention that Ross and Rochelle try to work within each client’s budget.
Reasonably priced, very organized, and high-quality photos
“Ross provided us with a truly excellent experience and product. My brother and I wished to get a family portrait for our mother’s 60th birthday, and Ross provided a very reasonably priced package that accommodated my, my brother’s, and my mother’s different and difficult schedules. He was very organised in terms of communicating dates / times / requirements, and despite the fact that none of myself, my brother, or my mother are particularly fond of cameras, he ensured that we were all comfortable and therefore that we received a high-quality photo. The finished product is of exceptional quality, and Ross even offered to drop it off personally (as opposed to my having to pick it up from the Natural Family Photography office). Unlike many other photographers, Ross’s photos don’t look “fake” or surreal—instead, it’s just a really beautiful photo that is (as his business name would suggest) natural-looking.”
- Arjun Pathy, Google Review
Easy to work with, fun experience, and able to manage children
“We could not have been happier with Ross. He was so easy to work with and made the whole experience fun. We had six children ranging in age from 2 to 11 and he managed them all perfectly. They giggled the whole way through and created beautiful photos.”
- Georgia McInerney, Google Review