I’m Gretchen Willis, owner of Gretchen Willis Photography studio. I believe in the permanence of family portraits, as a way to connect with the most important people in our lives.

Your family portrait is more than just a photo – it’s a visual history of your family. It’s easy to miss the small changes that you only notice when you compare them to family portraits from a year ago or longer.

Who has finally gotten taller than mom? When did that person lose a baby tooth? Where did that new scar on someone’s knee come from? The answers aren’t just answers – the answers are memories; they are the stories that shaped who you are.

What new story will your family portrait tell today? 

You have a lot of choices when it comes to family portrait photographers. You are choosing a person who will preserve your memories, whether you’re celebrating an important milestone or celebrating your everyday moments together. Your photographer should bring out the best in you, so it’s important that you hire a person who you know, like, and trust.  Here’s a few details about WHO I AM and WHO I AM NOT, and maybe after reading this (and hopefully talking on the phone) you’ll know if I’m the right photographer for you and your family.

I BELIEVE IN AUTHENTIC BEAUTY. I want every client to look and feel their best, and I’ll advise you about what to do, as well as what NOT to do, so that your family portraits reflect the moments you want to remember. I’ll guide you through posing so you look and feel relaxed. But more than that, I want you to truly enjoy your session and create memories so your photos will be a keepsake that you want to hang in your home and see every day.

I KNOW THE IMPORTANCE AND PERMANENCE OF A PHOTO. You have lots of photos of yourself already. We take lots of photos because we can. We take so many photos, and they live on our phones or our computers, and we almost forget they are there. But family portraits are not like phone selfies, taken on the sidewalk or in a restaurant booth.  If you have a photo in your wallet or hanging up on the fridge, of someone who you don’t see anymore, then you know the importance and permanence of a photo, too. Family photos are for you to enjoy, but they are also a visual message to everyone who sees them. Family portraits, when displayed in a home, tell others, “These people are my personal investment. This is what I value most.” 

I AM COMMITTED TO MY COMMUNITY. I donate my time through Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep and The Coalition for Children, Youth, and Families. I got my start in photography volunteering with non-profit agencies and to this day, it’s the most important work I do.

I DON’T GIVE UP. I have been in business for 12 years. I have worked with hundreds of clients and I have delivered thousands of photos. I’ve created a business that I am proud to own because it’s built on excellent customer service, the highest professional standards, and giving my clients more than they expect. Any hiccups along the way are never viewed as a failure; instead it’s a chance to grow and learn and make my business better for the next client. 

I WANT EVERY FAMILY TO ENJOY THEIR PHOTOS FOREVER. Many years from now, when your phone has been recycled and your computer has been replaced 3 times already, and your USB has gotten lost, you will still have your family portrait prints from me. You’ll be able to see and hold your photos in your hands, and reflect on how small or how young the people are. You will remember, “That was right before your sister met her husband” or “That was the last family photo before Grandpa died.” Oftentimes, we don’t realize how important family portraits are, until they are all we have left. It’s too easy to let life get busy and convince yourself, “I’ll print those photos soon.” I know how to turn your family portraits into the perfect keepsake, and I’ll take care of all the details. You don’t have to lift a finger.

After lots of years working with lots of clients, I’ve realized that the clients who choose to work with me, do so because they want a higher level of service and they know they can trust that I’m a true professional. They understand that getting a better experience and top-quality products means a little higher investment, but they know it’s worth it in the end, because