Spreading Love - The Stephenson Family at home | Canyon, Texas Family Photographer

When Natalie asked me to photograph her family, my heart lept. They are a large family (love) and live out in the middle of nowhere (love) and they are a fostering/adoptive family (love) and they are precious (double love).

They are the kind of people that make you stop and examine your own self. Not in a bad way, not in a compare and feel bad about yourself way, but in a ENCOURAGING way. In a way that makes you want to do more GOOD in this world. They are precious and so warm.

When I start communication after someone reaches out to do a photoshoot the first think I usually ask is “what kind of shoot do you envision”? I usually suggest shooting at home. Some people are so gun-shy about allowing themselves to be photographed at home because they have fears that their place isn’t “big enough” or “light enough” or “clean enough” or even “decorated well enough”. I always try and assure that these photos are not about the appearance of your home. It’s about the love in it <3.

The Stephensons were all in for an in-home session (YAY!) so we went with it. I went over an hour and a half before sunset. It was SO WINDY. Again, not a reason not to shoot outside! Wind=movement in photos. love.

We spend a good amount of time in the back yard with the kiddos just playing. The beginning of the shoot is usually just about the family getting comfortable with me being there. I let the kids play and the family just naturally do what they normally do in the back yard, play :) It makes for wonderful candid moments when people are just in their element doing what they do. Think about your favorite photo of your grandmother as a child. It’s probably when she’s standing in her kitchen or in front of her childhood home. Mine is one of my grandmother sitting on her porch. It’s just a stripped down version of just HER.

We transitioned to the front porch to get in some optimal light and then naturally headed out to the garden. The kiddos wanted me to see their. pumpkins :)

We ended the shooting out in the back pasture. Mom and dad wanted photos on the cattle trailer out back. Perfect. If it means something to the family, it will show in photos.

The sun was setting beautifully by this time so I suggested the family sit with the sun at their backs so I could get some beautiful sun flare shots. I told them to just sit and talk and tickle or tell jokes. Just be comfortable (not always easy).

I knew as I drove away I had captured some of the essence of this sweet fam. It doesn’t take a lot of effort to get great shots when people are most comfortable. At-home shots are the best opportunity to see that happen.

I hope to be sharing more of my shooting process in the future. I get lots of questions about it!

The Ridingers at home | Amarillo family photographer

These in-home sessions get better and better. I am finding my artistic voice more and more through documenting families being families in their own space. We love at home, we let down our hair at home, our kids play freely at home. Don't get me wrong, beautiful sunsets in a field of tall grass sings to me too, but in-home sessions pull and tug at every heart string I have. I hope they pull on yours too. <3

This family was precious. These boys are so loved and I strove to document just that. This day was sunless and dreary, but sometimes dreary sets a tone of comfort and softness that adds to the story. Their home was cozy and soft and comfortable. It all came together so well, the weather, the light, the tone of the day...the stars aligned. I hope this makes you cry happy tears Ridinger family!

Goodbye Summer | Amarillo and Canyon Family Photographer

I have never ever EVER been a huge fan of hot weather. I am much more suited to cozy flannels, warm fuzzy boots and a oversized cardigan wrapped around me. I would much rather spend my days wrapped in a blanket sipping coffee, watching the snow fall. Now that I am a mama, I do enjoy these warm months more. I can appreciate the heat when I have cuties in wedgie-laden swimsuits with popsicle faces to photograph. Living in the panhandle of Texas has given us a whole new set of weather patterns to look forward to. Nights are cool even when the days are their hottest. Rain is scarce, but wind is powerful! We have thoroughly enjoyed it. This passed summer we traveled back and forth from Canyon, Texas to the Dallas Fort Worth area to see friends and family.

These images are part of my everyday shooting (my personal project) and were taken on a hot summer day at Ms. Jan's house. Ms. Jan is like a grandmother to my babies. She is as free of a spirit as my babies are. We find so much comfort in being near her. She is real, she is fun, she is kind, and she has a servant heart. You WANT to be near her. She is woven into the fabric of my family....we are grateful. Ms. Jan's house is one place where my kiddos let loose and get dirty and do all the things that kiddos ought to be doing. I had my camera out this day and was feeling especially inspired. I wanted to share this day with you, friends. I hope these images bring a smile to your face like they do mine. These kind of wild and free, day-to-day happenings of childhood are some of my very favorite to capture. They are timeless and relatable, and evoke such joy. I can look at them and remember what it was like to run through the sprinklers on a hot summer day in 1986.