It is mid-morning in a Luberon village. Four two-year-olds - three boys and one girl - are discovering the world at speed.
There are three nannies, multiple outfit changes, and a photographer who had quietly wondered, the night before, whether this might be the most challenging session of her career. It was not. The children were joyful, curious, and utterly themselves - and by the end of the day, the family had invited her to stay for lunch. Raina is an American photographer who has made the Luberon her home since 2018. She works with families, couples, and individuals - offering everything from relaxed portrait sessions to her immersive signature experience, A Day in Provence. She is, in the truest sense, a photographer of moments: the kind that feel ordinary while they are happening and irreplaceable once they have passed.
A leap of faith - from nursing to photography
Raina’s route to Provence was not a straightforward one. She spent 34 years working as a registered nurse in the United States, photographing throughout alongside her career. When she first visited the region in 2014, the pull was immediate.
“I felt an immediate sense of belonging - as if I had come home. It was an emotional and unexpected connection that stayed with me long after I left.”
She returned four more times over the following three years. In 2017, she retired from nursing early and took the decision to move permanently to France, pursuing her photography full time. It was, she acknowledges, a considerable risk - and one that reshaped her life entirely.
A style that balances the timeless and the natural
“Every session is tailored to each family’s personality and vision - some prefer a more traditional look, while others want something spontaneous and documentary. My goal is always to reflect who they are, while capturing the atmosphere and emotion of their time in Provence.”
Raina describes her approach as a blend of classic portraiture and relaxed lifestyle photography. She does not arrive with a rigid shot list or a fixed idea of how a family should look. Every session is built around the people in front of her - their energy, their dynamic, their particular version of being together. Living in Provence has sharpened that instinct considerably. She knows which villages offer beautiful light without the summer crowds, which hours of the afternoon turn old stone golden, and which corners of the countryside feel quietly, unmistakably themselves. That knowledge is not incidental - it is part of what she brings to every session.
What makes a holiday photoshoot different
For Raina, a family photoshoot on holiday is not simply portraiture - it is documentation. The goal is to place a family in a particular landscape at a particular moment in time: walking through a village, exploring the countryside, simply being together somewhere beautiful and far from ordinary life. Before any session, she schedules a call with each family to understand their expectations, preferred locations, and how they would like the day to unfold. Wardrobe guidance follows - not to over-style, but to ensure the family sits naturally within the landscape rather than against it. Timing is planned carefully around the light.
Making families feel at ease
“I keep things light and conversational - asking about their travels, their time in Provence, what they are enjoying most. I avoid over-posing, as that can make people self-conscious. Instead, I focus on gentle guidance and natural interaction, allowing families to connect with one another. When people feel relaxed and present, authentic moments naturally unfold.” For many families, a professional photoshoot is unfamiliar territory. Raina’s approach is calm and unhurried - she connects with clients before the session so that, when they meet in person, there is already a sense of ease between them. A camera, she understands, only captures what is actually there.
“I encourage people to slow down and truly observe their surroundings - to look beyond the postcard view and notice the details. We might photograph a village fountain first as a whole, then move closer to capture the textures, craftsmanship, and historical details that tell a richer story.”
A day in Provence - her signature experience
For those who want something more than a session, Raina offers A Day in Provence - a curated itinerary combined with documentary-style photography throughout the day, culminating in a bespoke album that tells the story of how it all unfolded. The family from Singapore who booked this experience - the one with the quadruplets - came with all the logistical complexity you might imagine. Raina had prepared carefully. She was still, she admits, a little apprehensive.
“The day turned out to be extraordinary. The children were joyful, engaged, and curious, and the entire experience unfolded beautifully. We created images of the family fully immersed in their day - laughing, exploring, and enjoying Provence together.”
The family returned the following year and booked another session. Watching the children a year older, she says, was one of the unexpected privileges of this work. Many of her clients come back - some year after year. Long-term connections like these are, quietly, what she finds most meaningful.
Photography tours for all levels
“What drives me most is human connection. I find great meaning in creating images that will last a lifetime - photographs that carry not just beauty, but memory and emotion.”
Raina also runs photography tours for guests who would like to develop their own eye during their stay. These are fully tailored to experience level - from complete beginners working on their iPhones to advanced photographers looking to access particular locations or work with the light at its best. It is the same instinct that drives everything she does - the belief that slowing down and paying attention produces something truer than anything you could plan. For Raina, the photographs she creates are not souvenirs. They are records of how it felt to be somewhere, together - evidence of a particular version of a family at a particular point in their lives. That is what she is really offering: not a photoshoot, but a record of your time here. The light, the place, the people you were with - caught, just before they changed.
If you would like to book a session with Raina during your stay in Provence, please speak to our experienes team, who will be happy to help organise this for you.
À bientôt,
