Brisbane’s best family photographer revealed

We asked our readers to vote for Brisbane’s best family photographer. After a week of voting, our readers have crowned a new winner! See the full list and read what our winners had to say.

Leanne Stamatellos Contemporary Photography, Best of Brisbane. Picture: Leanne Stamatellos Contemporary Photography

We put the call out to our readers to nominate Brisbane’s best family photographer and after hundreds of responses we narrowed the list down to a group of finalists. We can now reveal, as voted by our readers, Brisbane’s best family photographer!

10. Lisa Schmidt Photography

Speciality: Family and early years photography

Opened: 2012

Suburb: Camp Hill

Facebook: Lisa Schmidt Photography

Lisa Schmidt Photography, Best of Brisbane. Picture: Lisa Schmidt Photography

Five quick facts:

1. Owner Lisa Schmidt said she runs the business on her own without any employees.

2. She never wanted to get into childcare photography “but now it’s one of my favourite genres,” she said.

3. Before becoming a photographer she worked as a primary school teacher. “Now I can use that love of kids and put that passion into family photography,” she said.

4. She has five children and she started by photographing her own children.

5. She has been working as an early years photographer for the past seven years.

9. Susan Stafford Photography

8. Studio 42 Photography

7. Megan Reid Photography

Speciality: Lifestyle, newborn, maternity and family photography

Opened: 2022

Suburb: Upper Kedron

Instagram: Megan Reid Photography

Megan Reid Photography, Best of Brisbane. Picture: Megan Reid Photography

Five quick facts:

1. Megan Reid places importance on capturing meaningful imagery and is “dedicated to capturing sentimental images that will become your legacy and heirlooms,” she said.

2. Her style of photography is based around capturing images that record a moment in time. “From the anticipation of meeting your newborn, to how it felt holding your baby in your arms, to the magic of their childhood and your life together as a family,” she said.

3. She uses natural light as much as possible in her imagery.

4. She gives each client a style and preparation guide, outfit consultation, a client questionnaire for personalised vision, and expert posing.

5. She collaborates with businesses to help cultivate a supportive local network.

6. Kate Davies Photography

5. Rustic Focus

Speciality: Family, Maternity, Newborn, Couples photography and more

Opened: 2023

Suburb: Veresdale

Instagram: Rustic Focus

Rustic Focus, Best of Brisbane. Picture: Rustic Focus

Five quick facts:

1. Brooke Delarue has only been running her business for just over six months. “It all started when I offered to take my friends maternity photos in June of 2023,” she said.

2. She wanted to stay home and watch her young children grow.

3. She loves family and maternity photography.

4. The business came to life with the help of her family. “I established it from the ground up, with the help of my fiance and his family,” she said.

5. She said she wouldn’t be running the business if it wasn’t for the initial help provided by her family.

4. Hikari Lifestyle Photography

Speciality: Family, Maternity, Newborn, Lifestyle photography

Opened: 2016

Suburb: South Brisbane

Website:Brisbane Family Photography

Hikari Lifestyle Photography, Best of Brisbane. Picture: Hikari Lifestyle Photography

Five quick facts:

1. Owner Isabelle promises to deliver as much fun as possible at every session. “Family photo shoots with me aren’t just about sitting and posing for the camera. They’re about creating memories, being the best versions of yourselves and enjoying those joyful moments with your cherished loved ones,” she said.

2. She provides a one-stop-shop for clients. “I take care of everything from finding the perfect location, planning outfits, arranging hair and makeup, designing albums, framing photos, all the way to delivering the final product,” she said.

3. She aims to empower women. “Having battled my own challenges with depression and body image for as long as I can remember, my mission is to uplift every woman who steps in front of my lens. I want to help girls feel strong, beautiful, and truly noticed,” she said.

4. She loves to add floral elements to her sessions.

5. Her business name highlights everything bright and beautiful in the world. “It embodies my photography style, bright, luminous that exudes a sense of pure love,” she said.

3. HELLOSAMMIJAYNE

Speciality: Wedding, Portrait, Maternity, Newborn & Commerical Photography

Opened: 2012

Suburb: Thornlands

Instagram: HELLOSAMMIJAYNE

HELLOSAMMIJAYNE, Best of Brisbane. Picture: HELLOSAMMIJAYNE

Five quick facts:

1. Sammi Jayne said she is often more excited than the clients when they book a session.

2. She decided to turn her hobby into a career in 2012.

3. She loves everything about weddings.

4. The majority of her clients become friends.

5. She loves unconventional sessions. “Over the top garments, cars, motorbikes, you name it, I’m down,” she said.

2. Brittany Swanson Photography

Speciality: Newborn and family photography

Opened: 2019

Suburb: Tarragindi

Instagram: Brittany Swanson Photography

Brittany Swanson Photography, Best of Brisbane. Picture: Brittany Swanson Photography

Five quick facts:

1. Owner Brittany Swanson describes her job as the “best in the world.”

2. She started her business when she was on maternity leave.

3. Her studio is at her home.

4. She is almost entirely self-taught.

5. She loves to meet “amazing families”.

1. Leanne Stamatellos Contemporary Photography

Speciality: Families, Extended Families, Personal Branding, Baptisms, Formals

Opened: 2005

Suburb: Brisbane

Instagram: Leanne Stamatellos Contemporary Photography

Leanne Stamatellos Contemporary Photography, Best of Brisbane. Picture: Leanne Stamatellos Contemporary Photography

Five quick facts:

1. Leanne Stamatellos said she has a love of simple, modern and beautiful family portraits.

2. She uses natural light to craft a story. “For me it’s all about noticing the little things that make each family unique,” she said.

3. She wants children to look back on the images years back and remember how much their parents loved them. “I want them to see and feel that love when they look at their photos,” she said.

4. Her goal is to help clients smile. “Even shed a happy tear when you look back on your images and remember that it didn’t seem that long ago,” she said.

5. She is committed to telling stories that reflect each individual family and wants them to “smile, reminisce and treasure each and every day of their life and their children’s lives,” she said.