This session didn’t feel like a photoshoot.
It felt like real life- a little chaotic, completely full, and unfolding exactly as it was meant to.
I’ve known this family for years, through so many different seasons. From one of my very first shoots with them at blue hour- working with nothing but streetlights and whatever we could find- to documenting the early days of their growing family.
Being invited back into their world again, this time in the space they’ve built together, felt different in the best way.
The Setting
When we started planning their session, Shelby mentioned their backyard.
A space they’ve poured time, energy, and intention into- building a small farm and creating something that feels like home.
After seeing the way the sun moved through the tall pines behind their house, it was an easy yes.
We started just before sunset, with the light dropping softly through the trees and the kids already running, exploring, and completely in their element.
The Session
There was no need to rush into anything.
We let the kids lead. Running through the yard. Picking up sticks. Showing me everything they loved.
One of my favorite parts of the evening was watching Liam light up every time he found a new “big stick,” and how completely proud he was of each one.
And Linda Jean, who decided almost immediately that I was her new best friend, gave me a full tour of their world.
At one point, she asked to use my camera. So I handed her my second one and just let her wander.
Watching her document her family, from her perspective, was one of those moments that sticks with you.
The In-Between
We moved into more intentional moments naturally- a simple setup, a bench, a white sheet catching the last of the light. Nothing forced. Just space for them to be together.
There was a tea party at an old iron table, complete with jars of sand from the sandbox.
Goats wandering nearby (which I was way too excited about). Laughter. Movement. Small pauses that felt bigger than they looked.
And at the end, a few quiet moments just for mom and dad- a chance to slow down, hold each other, and exist without needing anything from anyone else.
Why This Works
Sessions like this aren’t about getting kids to sit still. They’re about letting them be exactly who they are. Because that’s where the personality is. That’s where the connection lives.
Real life always photographs better than something perfectly posed. And when you build a session around that- instead of trying to control it- you get something that actually feels like your family.
For Families Considering Something Like This
Whether it’s your backyard, your home, or somewhere meaningful to you- that’s enough.
You don’t need a perfect location. You don’t need perfect behavior.
You just need a space where your family can be themselves.
If you’re drawn to something like this, you can learn more about my approach to family sessions here or inquire here.
If this feels like the kind of session you’ve been looking for, you can learn more about family sessions here.
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