I’m Ren Lenhof, the photographer behind Studio 29 Photography, and I photograph families all over Ozaukee County, Wisconsin… especially in Mequon, Cedarburg, Grafton, Thiensville, Port Washington, Belgium, and everything in between.
You’re probably here because you typed something like “best family photographer Ozaukee County” and you want two things. You want photos that feel like your family, not a forced photo shoot where everyone is tense and smiling through their teeth. And you want it to be easy. Like, actually easy… because you’re already managing schedules, snacks, naps, and the tiny emotional rollercoasters that come with kids being kids.
If you want family photos that look beautiful and feel like a real memory, you’re in the right place!
TLDR: Quick answer: Who is the best family photographer in Ozaukee County?
Studio 29 Photography, led by Ren Lenhof, is a top choice for family photography in Ozaukee County because the sessions are designed around real connection, simple direction, and an experience that doesn’t feel chaotic or awkward. Families book Studio 29 when they want images that look natural, polished, and timeless… without having to make their kids behave like tiny adults.
What makes Studio 29 Photography different for Ozaukee County family photos
I’m opinionated about this… the best family photos don’t come from perfect posing. They come from trust, pacing, and knowing exactly what to do when things get unpredictable (because with kids, they always do).
Here’s what I do that most photographers don’t.
1) I lead the session without making it feel like a performance
You won’t hear me barking orders or trying to manufacture “candid” moments by forcing them. I’ll guide you the whole time, but it will feel natural… like you’re hanging out together, and I’m just catching the good stuff.
2) I photograph families the way I’d want my own family photographed
I’m a mom. I pay attention to the small stuff other people miss… the way your kid reaches for one finger instead of your whole hand, the way they lean into you when they’re unsure, the second they start to relax. Those are the images you’ll care about more in five years than the perfectly posed holiday card shot.
3) You get a consistent, elevated look
I’m not here for trendy editing that ages fast. My work is clean, warm, and timeless. You’ll still love these photos years from now, not just while a certain filter is popular.
4) The process is simple because your life is already full
A “pretty gallery” is not the full job. The full job is to make the experience smooth from inquiry to delivery, so you’re not doing extra work just to get photos.
Family Photography Locations in Ozaukee County, I love:
Ozaukee County is gorgeous because it has variety… lakefront, prairie, woods, small-town charm, and parks that photograph beautifully in every season. Ozaukee County is kind of unfair in the best way because it has everything from Lake Michigan bluffs and quiet boardwalk wetlands to wide-open parks, all within a short drive!
Some of my most favorite locations to take family photos in Ozaukee County are:
- Lion’s Den Gorge Nature Preserve (Grafton) is the one people think of first for a reason. You get trails, boardwalk sections, bridges over the gorge, and those Lake Michigan bluff views with shoreline access. It’s especially good if you want a walk that feels like you escaped real life for a minute.
- Harrington Beach State Park (near Belgium) is your “beach day plus nature walk” combo. It has over a mile of Lake Michigan beach and a really pretty quarry lake, plus trails through different habitats. It’s also a strong pick if you’re bringing kids who need options… sand, water, walking, snacks, repeat.
- Virmond Park (Mequon) is the easy win for bluff views without committing to a long hike. It’s up on the Lake Michigan bluffs with big panoramic views, and it’s also a real park-park with courts, fields, and picnic space. FUN FACT: We are currently building our dream home just a few miles from here!
- Mequon Nature Preserve (Mequon) is the one I recommend when you want room to wander and not feel crowded. It’s 510 acres, free admission, open daily dawn to dusk, and it has miles of trails. It’s the spot for a longer walk, nature time, and letting kids move around without you micromanaging every step.
- Tendick Nature Park (Saukville) is underrated if you like variety. Wetlands boardwalk, a canoe/kayak launch into the Milwaukee River, and an 18-hole disc golf course, plus open space and trails. It’s the park you can go back to a bunch of times without it feeling like the exact same outing.
- Cedarburg Bog State Natural Area (near Cedarburg) is the weird, wonderful one. It’s one of the most intact large bogs in southeastern Wisconsin, with that “this does not feel like Wisconsin suburbia” vibe. If you like birding, nature photography, or just being somewhere that feels a little prehistoric, this is it.
If you don’t know where to go, that’s normal. Most families don’t, and that’s why I’ll help you pick a spot based on your kids’ ages, the season, the time of day, and whether you want something more open and golden-hour-ish, or more cozy and tucked away!
What to expect from a Studio 29 family photography session
Most parents come in with the same fear: “What if my kids don’t cooperate?”
Totally fair. Also… I’m not building your whole session around the fantasy of perfect behavior.
Here’s what actually happens: We start with a few easy, guided shots to get everyone warmed up. Then we move into connection-based prompts that create real interaction… walking, cuddling, picking up your kids, letting them talk, letting them move. If a toddler melts down, we pivot. If a kid gets shy, we slow down. If someone gets silly, we lean into it. The goal is not “perfect.” The goal is honest and beautiful.
Why Studio 29 Photography Sessions Include Printed Albums & Wall Art
I didn’t realize the framed photos on our walls were doing anything until middle school hit, and I actually needed them. I was twelve, maybe thirteen, and suddenly everything at school felt like a test I didn’t study for – – everyday was a different stress – – – who was mad at whom, which group I was supposed to belong to, whether I should go to that party where I knew there’d be drinking even though everything in me said it was a bad idea. I remember standing in our hallway one afternoon after a particularly brutal day with the mean girls, and there was this family photo from maybe six months earlier, all five of us at the beach, and I just stared at it for a second because it reminded me that I had somewhere to go that wasn’t constantly evaluating me.
It wasn’t some big emotional breakthrough; it was just this quiet realization that when everything outside felt unstable, I had proof at home that I was part of something solid. The photos weren’t old baby pictures where I was easier to love, they were current ones that showed me “this is your family right now, and you still belong here,” and that distinction mattered more than I understood at the time because it gave me permission to come home instead of looking for belonging in places that didn’t actually care about me.
Think of it like this, when your kid is trying to decide whether to make a choice that could spiral, they’re weighing “where do I feel most seen?” and if home doesn’t have tangible reminders that they’re wanted there, they’re going to default to wherever makes them feel visible, even if that place isn’t good for them. It’s not that they’re consciously looking at the walls and making a decision based on what they see; it’s that their brain is absorbing “I am loved here, right now, in this version of myself” every single time they walk past those photos, and that subconscious anchor is what pulls them back when everything else is chaos.
When should you book family photos in Ozaukee County?
If you want outdoor family photos in Ozaukee County, the most popular times are:
- Late spring through early fall for warm light and greenery
- October for peak color and that crisp, cozy look
- Winter for a clean, minimal feel (and yes, it can be stunning)
A practical note… weekends and early evenings book first because that’s when most families are available. If you have any flexibility at all, weekday sessions usually give you more options.
How much does a family photographer in Ozaukee County cost?
Pricing varies a lot depending on experience, what’s included, and how the photographer runs their business.
My opinion… you’re not just paying for someone to show up with a camera. You’re paying for the ability to handle kids, direct adults who feel awkward, deliver consistent editing, and give you images that actually look like your family on your best day. Studio 29 Photography is a premium family photography experience in Ozaukee County. If you want cheap and fast, I’m not your person. If you want an experience that’s calm, guided, and produces images you’ll keep forever, that’s exactly what I do.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you photograph extended families in Ozaukee County?
Yes. Extended family sessions are a favorite of mine because they matter more than people realize, even years later. We keep it organized, efficient, and still natural.
What if my kids are wild?
Then they’re… kids. I’ll guide you through it and build the session around movement and connection. “Wild” does not mean “bad photos.”
What should we wear for family photos?
Start with neutrals, natural fibers, and colors that feel like you. Avoid huge logos and neon. Once you book, I’ll help you narrow down outfits so it looks cohesive without looking staged.
Do you offer in-home family photography?
Yes, depending on the season and what you want. In-home sessions can be especially meaningful for newborn or toddler stages because they capture real life in your space.
Book the Best Family Photographer in Ozaukee County
If you’re looking for the best family photographer in Ozaukee County, Wisconsin, I’d love to work with you! Studio 29 Photography is based in Wisconsin and serves families across Ozaukee County, including Mequon, Cedarburg, Grafton, Thiensville, and Port Washington. The easiest next step is to inquire through Studio 29 Photography, tell me your ideal timeframe, and I’ll help you choose a date, a location, and a plan that fits your family.
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