You might expect things to feel overwhelming in a house filled with six children, two dogs, four cats, and the energy of raising a big family. However, for Neyssa Lee, a lifestyle photographer based in the Snoqualmie Valley, that beautiful, unpredictable chaos is exactly where she finds magic—both in her personal life and through her lens.
Neyssa launched her photography business before becoming a mom, and the two grew in tandem. As her family expanded, she learned to reshape her business around the needs of young children. As her business blossomed, she took time to remain present in her home. “It’s a juggling act,” she says, “but I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”
Photography has always been part of her story. After spending several years in foster care, Neyssa was adopted at age 10 and moved to the Snoqualmie Valley. It was in her new home that her love of photography truly took root. “I took photos of everything. I fell in love with the click and that I was capturing a moment in time to keep forever.”
She laughs that her early passion must have cost her parents a small fortune in film, most of it spent photographing the family dog. But they never discouraged her. Instead, they supported what would one day become her life’s work.
Still, it took her time to realize that photography could be a career. After earning a business degree from the University of Washington, Neyssa found herself working for Starbucks and feeling unsure of what direction to take.
She knew office life wasn’t for her, but she didn’t yet have a clear alternative—until her husband suggested she give photography a real shot. He even helped her line up her first paying clients: a family session and a wedding for his coworkers. That gentle nudge changed everything.
These days, Neyssa is best known for her lifestyle maternity and in-home newborn sessions—intimate, joy-filled portraits that emphasize connection over perfection. Her focus on these milestones isn’t just a creative choice; it’s personal. “Even though I have six kids, my journey to get here wasn’t easy,” she says.
It took more than a year to conceive their first child, and along the way, they endured four pregnancy losses, including a second-trimester loss. That grief left a lasting imprint, as did the hope that followed. “My rainbow babies changed me to my core,” she says. “Because of them, I know that babies are a gift, not a given.”
That lived experience shapes every session she leads. She’s deeply empathetic toward new parents, especially mothers navigating the raw vulnerability often accompanying the postpartum stage. Having been through childbirth and recovery six times herself, Neyssa approaches every shoot with compassion, care, and a focus on comfort and safety. “I understand what it means to feel vulnerable having photos taken so shortly after giving birth. I use that knowledge to shape my approach, to ensure mama looks and feels amazing.”
Whether photographing a newborn, a maternity session, or a high school senior, Neyssa’s style is centered on authenticity. Her sessions are playful, relaxed, and designed to reflect real life—not stiff poses or curated perfection.
“Most people aren’t used to having cameras pointed at them,” she explains. “It can feel intimidating or awkward.” Instead, she uses gentle prompts and conversation to help her clients forget the camera and focus on each other. “It’s much easier to smile and laugh when you’re actually feeling joy.”
The same approach applies to her senior portraits, which she describes as “authentic, unboxed, and uniquely you.” Before each session, she sends out a detailed questionnaire to help get to know the senior and figure out the right location and vibe. “Teenagers are often talked at,” she says. “Instead, I talk with them. I find out what makes them tick, what they love, what they hope to do after graduation.” That insight helps her create portraits that truly reflect each young adult’s personality—without trying to force them into a particular look or aesthetic.
Neyssa’s obsession with planning helps set her apart. She describes herself as planning-obsessed, and it shows in the way she supports clients throughout the process. From helping select locations to offering wardrobe advice, she removes the stress many people associate with being photographed.
She’s always quick to remind families that the best photos happen when they show up as themselves. “Social media puts so much pressure on certain looks—families all in beige, boho dresses, for example. But if that isn’t you, your photos won’t feel right.”
Neyssa’s top advice for families is to stay true to who they are. She emphasizes that her goal isn’t to create a picture-perfect social media aesthetic but to deliver images that genuinely reflect each family’s unique personality, connection, and love in that moment.
For Neyssa, there’s something extra special about doing this work in the Snoqualmie Valley. After being adopted into the community as a child, she attended Fall City Elementary, Chief Kanim Middle School, and Mount Si High School. She met her husband Derek there; they’re high school sweethearts, and after a brief time living elsewhere, they returned to raise their own family. “This community is where I grew up. I have seen it grow and change so much yet also stay such a beautiful place to live.”
That local connection runs deep. “The families I photograph are ones I see at school drop-off, at the grocery store, and while out on family walks. I care about this community and these families. That’s pretty special, wouldn’t you agree?”
Reflecting on memorable sessions, Neyssa fondly remembers working year after year with a family of four. Their sessions feel more like reunions with old friends than photo shoots, filled with easygoing moments—tossing rocks by the river or playing in a field. With relaxed parents and happy kids, genuine joy naturally shines through in every image.
Though her current offerings keep her schedule full, Neyssa dreams of adding birth photography to her repertoire one day. “Birth is such a magical process,” she says. “It’s full of raw beauty and emotion—strength, struggle, and then the utter joy of holding your baby.” For now, with six young kids at home, the unpredictability of birth photography poses a challenge, but the desire is there. “Maybe one day,” she adds.
Even with the fullness of family and work, Neyssa makes space for things that bring her joy—black iced tea year-round, planning Disney trips, watching Friends, and savoring the little moments that pass too quickly. Parenthood has shown her just how fleeting childhood is—and she believes photography allows families to hold onto a piece of it just a little longer.
Soon, she’ll bring her knowledge and warmth to a broader audience with a new quarterly guest post series: Behind the Lens with Neyssa Lee. Through it, she’ll offer practical photography tips and heartfelt insights to help families document their everyday moments with greater ease and authenticity.
Whether you’re in front of her lens or following her advice, one thing is clear: Neyssa Lee isn’t just photographing families; she’s helping them see the beauty in their perfectly imperfect stories.
You can see more of her work on her website, Instagram, Facebook, and our gallery page.
