Family Photographers in Medellín: My Trusted List
I’ll be real with you, I’ve had a running list of family photographers in Medellín recommendations saved in my notes app for way longer than I’d like to admit. Saved links from Facebook groups, WhatsApp contacts a friend sent “just in case,” Instagram profiles I bookmarked and never did anything with. It’s not that I was gatekeeping (maybe a little), I just never sat down to organize it.
Well, consider it organized! As we head into holiday season (hello, mini sessions and end-of-year holiday cards), I figured it was time to stop sitting on this and actually share it. Some of these photographers I’ve used myself and recommended more than once. Others come highly rated from a few different mom groups I’m part of. A few I haven’t tried yet but am excited to this season.
For context: in four years in Colombia, I’ve done a maternity shoot in San Andrés and Cartagena, newborn photos with my two youngest, and I’m about to shoot my fourth year of holiday photos here. This list is less “here’s a random directory” and more “here’s who I’d actually send a friend to.”
Whether you’re after proof of mom, mailing end-of-year cards back home, capturing that beautiful baby bump, or just want new family photos on the wall — there’s someone on this list for you.
Medellín Family Photographers: My Trusted List for Every Season
The photographers included shoot everything from:
Family • Newborn • Maternity • Pregnancy • Postpartum • Engagement • Wedding • Lifestyle • Events • Commercial • Corporate • Product • Architecture • Studio • Kids • Pets • Couples • Professional Portraits • Quinceañera • Christmas • Halloween • Mother’s Day • Graduation • Video
Filter by whatever you’re actually looking for. You don’t need to scroll through wedding photographers if all you want is a 20-minute newborn session.
How to Use This Guide & Good to Knows
Filtering the List
Use the tabs at the top to filter by name, category, or price range. Whatever’s most useful for you.
Contacting a Photographer
Most contact info listed is WhatsApp. That’s intentional. IYKYK. WhatsApp is how you’ll get pricing, availability, and booking info fastest here.
Pricing for Family Photographers in Medellín
Price ranges ($ / $$ / $$$) are averages the photographer shared, not exact quotes. Always confirm before booking, especially for holidays or larger families.
- $: 200.000–400.000 COP
- $$: 400.000–800.000 COP
- $$$: 800.000+ COP
Booking Lead Time & Turnaround
Booking lead time varies a lot. You’ll generally get better options the further in advance you book. That said, some photographers are willing to accommodate a last-minute session if their calendar allows.
Turnaround time means how long it’ll take to get your photos back. Exercise a little patience here. Sometimes it takes longer than originally estimated. These are real people, and last-minute things come up. Be kind.
Session Locations
Session locations vary too. Some only shoot in-studio, a majority travel to your home or a location around the city. Check before making plans.
Weather & Rainy Season in Medellín
Talk this through directly with your photographer ahead of time. Will they reschedule for rain, or shoot through it? It’s a bit of a gamble depending on when you book. Medellín has two rainy stretches, roughly April–May and October–November, with December–March being the driest window. Although it caaaaan bleed a few weeks on either side, so don’t treat those dates as exact. And don’t write off cloudy days entirely either! Overcast skies can give some of the most flattering, evenly-lit photos.
Payment Methods
I’ve always paid via Bancolombia transferencia or PayPal, but don’t assume. Reference the column for payment methods and confirm with your photographer ahead of time.
What to Wear for Family Photos
If you’re shooting against a white background, skip the white outfit. You’ll want something with enough contrast to stand out. A color wheel can help if you want a more technical approach than eyeing it. Every photographer I’ve spoken with on this list has been really kind, so don’t hesitate to ask for guidance if you’re not sure what to wear.
Beyond Family Photography
I kept the focus on family photos, but a lot of these photographers also offer corporate, event, product, architecture, and other types of photography. Like their style? Ask if they’d be open to something outside what’s listed here.
English Speaking Photographers in Medellín
The majority of the photographer’s first language is Spanish. A lot are also bilingual. If they’re Spanish only and you really like their edit style — don’t let the language barrier deter you. Plenty of people make it work without a shared language! I included it mainly for those who very specifically need English. A gentle reminder that you’re in a Spanish-speaking country. At least trying to learn the language isn’t a kind gesture, it’s a sign of respect.
Deposits are Common
Many photographers ask for a deposit to lock in your date, especially during busy seasons like December. This is standard practice. it protects the photographer’s time (they’re turning away other clients for your slot) and it protects you too, since it holds your date rather than leaving it first-come, first-served. Ask upfront how much the deposit is, whether it’s refundable, and how it applies to your final total.
Keeping This List Accurate
I did my best to verify every detail, but things change fast here and often without notice. If something’s broken or outdated, email me at hello@mamainmedellin.co so I can fix it.
Picking a Family Photographer
Start With Their Editing Style
There’s no one right way to do this, but I always start here first. You can usually get a feel for a photographer’s style from their Instagram or website. Do the tones feel warm or cool? Bright or moody? That’ll tell you more than any review will.
Book in Advance
I book in advance so I can actually pick outfits and take my time, and since my kids are so much younger. I try to schedule earlier in the day when the kids are more likely to be patient and rested. Not everyone’s go-to, but I always bring the kid’s fave candy to help get them excited about smiling and moving around. Being told to smile for 10 minutes can feel like an eternity to a 3-year-old.
Practice at Home First
If it’s your first time doing family photos, try a silly mock run at home before the real session. Let the kids practice sitting, staying, and moving without the pressure of an actual shoot. It absolutely takes the edge off for everyone.
Let Go of the "Perfect" Photo
Don’t be afraid to take breaks mid-session. I get the stress of wanting a “perfect” photo, especially with younger kids who’d rather do anything else than smile on command and look at the camera at the same time, but your reality is the beautiful part, and it’s usually the photo everyone laughs about later anyway. The stress of “we paid for this and the kids were cranky the whole time” is real too, so give yourself some grace!
Tips for Photographing Older Kids and Tweens
If you’re dealing with older kids or tweens, the resistance just looks different, right? Less crying, more eye-rolling. A few things that help:
- Let them have some input, like picking their own outfit within the palette or choosing one pose idea, so it doesn’t feel like they’re just being dragged along.
- Keep the session short with a clear endpoint (“15 minutes and we’re done”). A little motivation still works, just different currency. Think ice cream after instead of candy during.
- And a few candid, unposed shots mixed in usually capture them better than forced smiles anyway, so ask your photographer to grab some of those too.
Communicate What You Want Ahead of Time
It also helps to know exactly what you’re looking for going in. This year I’ve got three specific frames I want to fill, plus a holiday mailer for family back in the States, so I’ll be telling my photographer that upfront. Communicate what you want ahead of time. It makes a real difference in what you walk away with.
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MEET SARAH
Welcome! I’m Sarah. I started this blog to be a resource for others around a few of my favorite things: living in Colombia, DIY projects, places traveled, and day-to-day life. My hope is that it can a place of inspiration and encouragement to help you plan the next project or adventure of your own!
