It's Time for a Dance Break

This past weekend's sessions were so good for my soul! Some say I provide a service to client, which is technically true, but what I love about getting to do photography is that it is so refreshing to me! I get to hang out with people and HAVE FUN. My goal at the end of each session is to create new friends to replace the term "client". I want the experience you have to reflect the beautiful pictures you get back. When you look at the pictures from our session, I want you to be taken right back to our session and smile remembering the memories that were made.

I walked away from each session smiling because I honestly had the greatest time. There's something about soaking in the smiles and love a family shares, and it's contagious! After my last session, I got to my car and thought to myself, I am so happy and blessed I get to do this. While the future is always unknown, I am thankful I get to do this while I can, and I pray I get to continue this for a LONG time!

This past week, I had the pleasure of capturing two amazing families, the Downs Family and the Miller Family! I have known the Downs family for several years. It was great to catch up and update their family gallery! The season of life they are at is a fun one! Their daughter is off to college, and their son is a senior in high school! Getting to capture this moment of life they are in and freeze it was just what we did!

I was also able to capture the Miller family this past week! Can I say we had so much fun! We got some posed shots, but the majority of this session was full of candid moments. This session was so REFRESHING in so many ways. There's something about soaking in genuine smiles and moments full of love. I left there saying to myself, "This is the best, and I am so thankful that I get to do this!"

A group stands together on a green lawn with a water feature in the background.

Down's Family

A formal family portrait taken outdoors near a reflecting pool with stone features and trees in the background.

Miller Family

Cherish the moment you are in

I mentioned earlier that I left this session thanking God that I get to do this and feeling so refreshed. That's because this session reminded me to cherish all the little moments of life that are surrounding me in this very moment. So often we get caught up in the busyness of schedules and life. But it's in those moments when we take time to listen to a young boy laughing, or see wonder in his eyes, and soaking in the hugs he gives that we are reminded this is what life is all about. In my sessions, I want you to be able to let all guards down, and escape from your busy schedules to just connect... connect with your family and soak in everything you love about them. Take time to focus on the perfect, little things that make them who they are. You are all special, unique, and wonderful; take this time to refuel your heart of those things. When I am photographing families doing just that, it reminds me why I do what I do. I like to think of myself as a photographer of moments, because capturing moments is what leads to long lasting memories.

Young child laughs joyfully while sitting on wooden bench with landscaping in background.

When you come to a session with me, you don't need to have a list of poses ready; you are more than welcome to, but I want this experience to be just you having fun. You get to be yourself! One of my favorite moments from this past week was this five year old showing off his stellar dance moves, followed by laughing so hard, he fell over.

The excitement from a five year old is contagious, and it started right from the start when he saw the water fountain. He was my little helper this session. I would ask him where we should take some pictures, and he would lead us to the perfect spot. As I have said before, kids are unpredictable, but making them feel comfortable, important and reminding them to have fun is how I roll. The first spot he picked out for us was a bench where we were able to get some great family shots. Then he led us to the coolest walkway path with gorgeous flowers surrounding it. This location resulted in gorgeous maternity, couple, family AND individual pictures! Definitely one of my favorite spots! Each location we visited, he was so excited and knew just how to pose. He made my job easy, especially when I told him it was "It's time for a dance break"! (I think I might need to hire him to help me in future sessions!)

What I love about this session is each picture tells a different story from our time together. Whether that's learning how to fly like an airplane, getting to be a "cool" kid, remembering how ticklish you were at five years old, or telling funny jokes. My goal when taking these types of picture is one day when families look back on them, they are taken right back to this moment in time and the laughter echoes in their head and the love they felt in that moment fills their heart. That is what is so special and what I treasure from every laugh, smile, and dance break from each session!

A tender moment shared between parent and child on a wooden park bench in golden sunlight.

I can still hear the laughter in my head every time I see this picture!

A formal family portrait taken on a stone path in a lush garden setting with blooming flowers.

The gorgeous pathway this five-year-old found was a perfect spot for this family shot!

Playful moment as a young child is lifted high in the air against a white pergola backdrop.

I hope he remembers this moment in time about what it feels like to be five and flying through the air like an airplane.

Young boy in denim playing and dancing in a vibrant garden with red flowers.

It's time for a dance break!

Ten little toes coming soon...

Another fun aspect from this past session was this family is growing! What a sweet season of life, soaking it all in before the arrival of their sweet baby girl in a few months! Carolyn, I just want to say you were beautiful, and I am so glad we were able to snag some "maternity" pictures!

Pregnancy is beautiful but your body is always changing. Sometimes it doesn't always feel pretty and it can be hard, but I want you to see yourself for who you are, which is beautiful. My goal when photographing expecting moms is they walk away proud of who they are and that their body is doing amazing things growing a precious human!

I cannot wait for your little girl to arrive, and I hope we can get together again to add her into some family shots once she's here!

Black and white portrait of a tender parenting moment on a park bench.

Thank you!

Thank you again to the Downs and Miller family for taking time out of your week to hang out and have some fun with me! Your families are wonderful, and I hope you love your galleries as much as I loved working on them! When I say I have enjoyed it, I really have.

Stay tuned for some more amazing sessions coming up!