life
I don’t want to just photograph you on one perfect sunlit afternoon, when your outfits are curated, the kids have been bribed, and you just got your hair cut and colored. I want to capture all of it for you!
We get together four times a year to chronicle your family’s favorite seasonal traditions and activities. Making Saturday morning breakfast, visiting with grandma, going for a walk around the neighborhood, or just hanging out on a long summer night. It's the stuff memories are made of.
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Every family is unique. I love witnessing the different dynamics - sibling connections, moms' and sons' relationships, dads' and daughters' - it is all so special. And I believe that there is great value in documenting these family interactions as a reminder of the certainty of the love of family.
When you choose me as your photographer, you can expect kindness coupled with professionalism; efficiency balanced with ease; and a sincere interest and appreciation for the work you are doing to build your family.
I am organized, flexible, even-keeled, and can find the calm in chaos. After a little time together, my families tell me how comfortable they are having me around, and genuinely have fun!
I would
to WORK WITH YOU!
Because the story of your family is filled with your best adventures, the simplest moments, and everything in between.
- Alanna, Arlington, January 2022
"Cynthia Clayton is an incredible photographer who comes to each session with a vision catered to her clients needs. Her priority is to ensure her subjects feel welcome, confident and comfortable. Every time I have had the privilege being in her studio magic happens! She is always curious to try new things and her final products are INCREDIBLE!! If you book a session with her, you are supporting are person who has completely committed to their passion and it shows in every image. 10/10 !!!"
- Andrea, Waltham, November 2021
"I just wanted to say thank you again for helping me create a thoughtful Christmas present for my grandmother. She absolutely loved the pictures and we can't stop looking at them - they are all beautiful! I truly appreciate all your help and will definitely recommend you to friends and family in the future. Happy holidays!"
- Lisa, Lexington, October 2021
"Cynthia is our family photographer. We have worked with her on many occasions through the years and we are so glad that we did! We have stunning photographs spanning a decade or so capturing and preserving those moments that pass by all too quickly. Cynthia is a perfectionist with a quiet comfortable demeanor that makes the entire experience so enjoyable! We look forward to our sessions and are always thrilled with the results!"
- Katherina, Arlington, January 2022
"Cynthia is a wonderful photographer. She went above and beyond to get the branding photos I was looking for. She is super creative, easy to work with and very professional. Her new studio is simply amazing! I hope to work with her again in the future."
- Katerina, Arlington, May 2021
"Cynthia took my high school senior portraits and four years later she took my college senior portraits because there was no question that I wanted anyone else to take them. She is professional, kind and makes you feel very comfortable during the photos. Her extensive knowledge about photography produces beautiful final products and I'm know I will work with her again in the future. Thank you Cynthia!"
- Jennifer, Arlington, September 2021
"Cynthia did such an amazing job with my daughter’s photos, not only did the pictures come out Beautiful but she made my shy 17 year old Who really wanted nothing to do with it so comfortable and so natural. I would highly recommend!!!"
- Lindsay, Orleans, September 2021
"We have done quite a few photo shoots with Cynthia and all of them have been so fun! Which is not always the first word that comes to mind when imagining photo shoots with toddlers and little kids - ha! Cynthia is creative and patient and does a great job making sure that everyone feels relaxed and comfortable during the shoot. Her pictures always come out so great and we love having them framed around the house! We can’t wait to do our next family session with her!"
- Alyssa, Arlington, June 2019
"Cynthia is incredible!! She is able to capture the true essence of a person in a way no one else can. She creates such a joyful, open, kind space to be photographed in, and makes it such a lovely experience. Through my headshots, she has made me feel so seen, which is truly such a gift. I could not recommend her more!"
- Stephanie, Lexington, August 2020
"We've used Cynthia on multiple occasions for our family portraits as well as head shots - she's that good. Her choice of location, the composition of her photos, and her use of lighting are all fabulous. And I would be remiss in not praising her packaging of proofs - she delivered ours in a surprise wooden keepsake box complete with one of the best images from our session on the top. It remains on our coffee table. Cynthia's photo work is lovely and her patience and customer service can't be beat."
- Kate, Arlington, October 2020
"Cynthia is simply the best! She has been doing our family portraits for several years now. She is so kind and great at making everyone feel comfortable, even those who don’t normally like having their photo taken."
- Samantha, July 2021
"Cynthia is amazing!! The quality of her photos is always so impressive with her lighting expertise and her eye for colors, but I think her ability to capture a persons truest self is what sets her apart from other photographers. She creates a wonderfully warm environment that makes even people usually wary of getting photographed feel comfortable and confident. I highly recommend Cynthia for any occasion, family portraits or just for fun! Her photographs are stunning."
- Allyson, Winchester, March 2022
"The seniors headshots came out amazing - all of them, not just my beautiful seniors. Thank you for your time and dedication! Your work is pure art."
- Jamie, Lexington, November 2020
"We are having so much fun looking through these beautiful photos you took for our family. We have many favorites! THANK YOU! We are so excited to have these images! We loved working with you! :)"
- Bridget, Arlington , MA, December 2019
"Our mom cried on Christmas when we gave her the photo of us all. It is something she will have forever - thank you!"
- Nadine, Lynnfield, MA, October 2020
"OMG they’re wonderful! Thank you! I am so grateful for these. "
- Mary-Lynn, Belmont, MA, October 2020
"The pictures you took are just beautiful - so many nice ones to choose from. Thank you again - you do such a wonderful job and it was so nice to catch up!"
- Margaret, Wayland, MA, October 2020
"These are fabulous! You really caught our personalities, which is what I love about your photography."
- Hannah, Milton MA November 2019
"Cynthia has been photographing our family for many years as it changes and grows. It’s a gift to have someone as talented as Cynthia put her heart and talent into capturing important milestones in our lives."
- Nadine, Lynnfield, MA, October 19, 2019
"Thank you! I have tears in met eyes! SO beautiful! I love love love them! Just so beautiful! All of it! Amazing what you see behind your lens and what you captured."
- Alyssa, Arlington, September 2020
"The pictures you took are my favorite headshots I have ever had"
-Jenna, Concord, September 2020
"Thank you!!! What a tough choice (might be a little bit before I pick my favorite), these all turned out amazing!!! It was so great to see you :-)"
Are you torn between wanting to document different moments in your family’s life, but wanting to be present while they are happening? Then this is the collection for you. We get together 4 times a year to build out the chapters of your family’s story.
Have Questions?
If what is most important to you is having an annual record of your family at different stages, then this session will suit you best. Once you decided what time of the year works best for your family, reach out and we’ll get something scheduled!
Throughout the year as my calendar allows, I offer petite sessions to celebrate special occasions, such as sessions for holiday cards, or sessions with extended family for Grandparents day, or welcoming Spring! These are on a set day and location and are scheduled on a first-home, first-served basis to my VIP clients. Become a VIP by signing up for my newsletter to get advance notice of these sessions.
Check out our most frequently asked.
We get together 4 times a year and I photograph your family in some of your favorite activities. It could be playing catch in the backyard, making pancakes on Sunday morning, going for a walk, or just hanging out in your home. I also have lots of ideas, and I will work with you to choose activities that are meaningful to you.
You will receive:
The quarterly cost is $950, for an annual investment of $3,800.
Advance access to my calendar
4 photo sessions over the course of a year
An online gallery of curated, edited images from each session
An heirloom album designed with your favorite and most meaningful images from the year
A custom engraved keepsake wooden box filled 4x6 prints from our sessions and USB drive of your images from the year
A $300 print credit to use in the print store, along with guidance on designing wall art for your home
Yes - I do book a few individual sessions as my calendar permits. Reach out and we'll see if we can get something scheduled! I also offer mini-sessions a few times a year. Sign up for my newsletter to be in the know about when those are happening.
I see our lives as a mosaic of moments woven together. I believe that the comfortable, in between moments throughout our days are the ones that mean the most, and the ones that we remember. And that these can happen anywhere and anytime. The more time I spend getting to know your family, the more opportunities we have for these moments.
Drop me an email or give me a call so we can chat and talk about next steps! Due to the unique and personalized experience I provide to my families, I only take on a limited number of clients every year. Please get in touch to inquire about my current availability.
One more heart to love
My four-leaf clover
five six seven eight
Lucky & Loved
Sweet, sweet sixteen
The future looks bright
~JAMES TAYLOR
"The secret of life is enjoying the passage of time"