Five years ago...


The M family found me through word of mouth. That's how it was (probably still is) at our small base in Idaho. Being almost 9 miles from the nearest town creates a tight community. When we talked about their session, Mom said she wants photos to be relaxed and around their home. Say less! At the time I was doing much more lifestyle/posed so the idea of letting everything go sounded incredible. Sure enough, it was.

A touching indoor scene in warm lighting shows a military service member in camouflage greeting a dog near an open doorway.
A happy Golden Retriever with tongue out in foreground while people relax on a couch in the background.
Silhouetted figures of siblings sharing a sweet moment in front of a sunlit window.
A woman walks through a modern kitchen with two playful dogs while holding a young child.
An adult and young child share a playful moment in a backyard with wooden fencing at sunset while a dog walks by.
A child peeks over a dark countertop in a sunlit kitchen with a decorative wreath visible in the background.
A happy dog sits on a couch with people during a relaxed gathering at home.

They wouldn't be a military family if everyone came home from work on time. As a military spouse, when Mom said Dad was running late it didn't phase me a bit. In fact, the photos of him coming through the door were some of my favorites. At home sessions are perfect for working families because we have the time and location for someone running late to change and feel...well, at home.


Their sweet and rambunctious dogs participated every step of the way while I was shown all the toys each child had. Mom was near the end of her breastfeeding journey with their daughter and it was a special time to get photos. As the daughter transitions to being independent, Mom also is given a new path (one of mourning for sure, but also freedom).


All the windows in their home let us play with light and made each photo unique. Being home allowed the kids to be in their element- wild, mischievous, playful, and able to show their full personalities. Photos not included are when one child decided to go to the bathroom outside (you all know your kids do it too).

Family playing together in backyard at sunset with warm golden light and wooden fence in background.
A family and their black Labrador play with a ball in a fenced backyard during golden hour sunset.
A caregiver holds a child at a window during a quiet moment on a dreary day.
Peaceful moment of relaxation on a cozy striped couch with soft pillows in natural lighting.

Some find it challenging to wrap their heads around a photo session in their home. What if it's messy? What will we do the whole time? The beauty of it is, there are no expectations. From cuddling on the couch, jumping on a bed, popsicles in the backyard, whatever little moments pop up, those are what we capture. Just as the M family decided to make drinks and hangout in the backyard, you can draw pictures or turn on the sprinklers. It's your home.


So, in the words of The Beatles, "Let It Be."


Oh, and book the session ;-)