Let the Kids Run the Show

There’s something so special about working with a family again and again — watching kids grow, seeing personalities bloom, and knowing exactly how to make a session feel fun, not forced.

I’ve been photographing the Bush family since 2020, and every time I see their names pop up in my inbox, I know it’s going to be a good day. Alexandra (the mom) owns Wholesome Kneads, a micro bakery, and brings the same warm, grounded energy to her family life as she does to her business.

We met up in Murfreesboro, TN for this outdoor family session — full of silliness, spontaneity, and the kind of joy you just can’t pose. While I no longer serve Tennessee clients, this session was too sweet not to share.

Letting Your Family Just Be

If the idea of family photos makes you a little nervous — I get it. You want great photos, but also… your kids are wiggly. And loud. And full of energy. Guess what? That’s exactly how they should be.

With the Bush family, we kept things light and flexible. Their daughter even got to use my camera for a few shots, and she totally lit up with excitement. The kids took breaks to play, we followed their lead, and I gave gentle prompts when needed — but the magic came from just letting them be.