The Beginning: The Romer Family

There is something special about photographing a family right before a new life chapter begins. Recently, I had the joy of working with the Romer family—Matthew, Colleen, and their five adorable, high-energy kids out on the very land where they are about to build their future home.

Right now, it’s five wooded and wide-open acres of empty land waiting for a foundation. Getting out there before they break ground is such a fun way to document this season of anticipation. I’m already dreaming about coming back in a year or two—however long the build takes—to photograph them standing right in front of their dream home.

Embracing the Chaos (and the Candids!)

Let’s be real: photographing a family with five young kids is definitely not a calm, peaceful walk in the park. It was wonderfully chaotic, loud, and entirely real, and nobody was pretending otherwise! We rolled with it, embraced the energy, and let the kids be kids. In my book, the best photos are always the candid ones. Poses have their place, but real laughs, running feet, and authentic personalities? That’s where the magic lives.

We started off with some sweet portraits framed by the edge of the woods, then ventured in for a little bit of exploring among the trees. We tracked deer prints, jumped off fallen logs and played pirates with sticks, wrapping up the evening at chasing golden hour in the grassy field.

Wrapping Up a Wild Afternoon

It was a an adventurous evening and we laughed our way through the madness, and captured a season of life that is completely, beautifully alive. Between letting the kids take a few photos themselves and somehow ending up with my own mug captured in a shot, there was never a dull moment.

Thank you, Colleen, Matthew, and kids, for trusting me to document this blank-canvas chapter on your land. I can’t wait to see what gets built here next!

Planning a milestone session or want to document your family’s next big chapter?

Get in touch and let’s make some memories!