The Woods are Calling


If you’ve been following me for a minute, you know that I run a small informal forest school. What you may not know is that when you book a session with me, you are directly providing funds for children to connect and grow with the land. 


The Informal Forest School of Hampton Roads provides crafts, stories, and a space to connect with land. It’s child and play based, focusing on process over perfection. I provide the supplies but if children decide they’d rather make fishing poles than a paint brush, it’s supported. Kids climb trees, create forts, search for turtles and rollypollys, and so much more. There is never a cost to the families, and that’s because of you. 

A series of images showing someone's brown hair flowing in the wind while wearing a light blue shirt outdoors. Whitney Popp, Arizona.
Hikers walk along a wooden boardwalk trail through a dense forest of tall pine trees. Whitney Popp, Arizona photographer.
Turtles in water with reflection of tree. Whitney Popp, Arizona photographer.
A series of images showing someone in a pink shirt performing a deadlift exercise with proper form progression.
A child's hand in the woods with an inch worm on it. Whitney Popp, Arizona photographer
Overhead view of someone in a pink sweater painting with turquoise and white paint on a rustic wooden surface outdoors. Whitney Popp
A woman and children play in the winter woods of Virginia. Whitney Popp, Arizona photographer

Each season kids get to watch the land transition, learn to walk barefoot over roots of old trees, listen to song birds and wind through the leaves, and see how important the land is to our souls. Over 100 families have stepped into the woods throughout the 3 years.  


I have watched friendships between moms grow, and even gained some of my closest friends in that forest. We have shared pawpaw fruit together. Our children run through the woods in halloween costumes trick or treating at trees. 


I can see the weight of the world fall off the shoulders of both parents and children alike when they set down their blanket and children run to their friends to say hello. Majority of the families attending are military and let me tell you why that's incredibly special-


Military families are constantly moving. Their lives are on the precipice of change at all times. Our children do not stay in the same home they entered as a baby. As the land under their feet changes it's easy to forget connection. I wanted a place especially for kids who feel like they may not have any control, a place that they get to be whatever they want. For our future to matter, we must put in the work now to introduce our children to the land. Allow them to see they are part of that circle from trees to water to mycelial networks under ground.

Close-up of hands holding a small delicate dragonfly with black and orange patterned wings in natural sunlight. Whitney Popp, Arizona
Two little girls play on lake dock in winter gear. Whitney Popp, Arizona photographer
A delicate white daisy flower captured in a cup of glitter with a blurred warm autumn background. Whitney Popp, Arizona photographer
Bare feet walking on dark soil or dirt ground in moody lighting. Whitney Popp, Arizona photographer
A park ranger lets a little girl pet a rat snack in the garden. Whitney Popp, Arizona photographer
Child in red shirt plays with tin can telephone string in autumn forest setting. Whitney Popp, Arizona photographer
A map on a tree in foreground with little girl in background playing in the woods. Whitney Popp, Arizona photographer

Let’s make this the best year ever for the families attending. Book your Fall Tiny Tale and/or Storytelling Session. 


Photography is an investment, it’s also an opportunity to do good. When you book with me you are providing the opportunity for children to connect with land. 


Thank you.

Carved gingerbread man faces in tree bark create whimsical forest art in autumn woods.
Little girl sitting on wooden dock overlooking calm lake waters surrounded by bare trees on a peaceful autumn day. Whitney Popp
Small turtles gracefully through dark murky waters, creating an ethereal water scene. Whitney Popp, Arizona
Cupped hands hold a giant bubble against a dark background. Arizona photographer, Whitney Popp
Someone in a teal sweater holds up an ornate picture frame with dried flowers and leaves in an outdoor autumn setting. Whitney Popp, Arizona
Small child exploring and digging in dirt and soil outdoors with pine cones and natural elements visible. Whitney Popp, Arizona photographer
Brown bracket fungi growing on a mossy tree trunk in a dark forest setting. Whitney Popp, Arizona photographer
A serene lake surrounded by tall pine trees reflects the forest landscape in its calm waters while ducks swim peacefully. Whitney Popp
A child wearing a striped winter hat draws on paper while sitting on the ground in an outdoor autumn setting. Whitney Popp, Arizona
Children lean over a wooden railing at a lake while enjoying a summer day outdoors. Whitney Popp, Arizona photographer
A group of people stand at the edge of a lake on an autumn day looking at the water through fallen leaves. Whitney Popp, Arizona