Sometimes the best gifts aren’t things you can wrap.
Jamie first booked me as a Christmas gift for her mom and dad—a family photo session while her sister, Jenna, was visiting from out of state. And I absolutely love that she chose to give them something they could experience together and eventually hold onto in photographs.
On this particular evening, we had Jamie and her husband, David, her parents, Diane and Dave, her sister Jenna and her son, Kasra, along with Jamie and David’s one-and-a-half-year-old son, Graham, and their four-year-old pup, Georgie.
And if you’ve ever attempted family photos with a toddler anywhere near bedtime, you know that every smile is a victory. 😂
Graham was nearing the end of his day, so we worked as quickly as we could—and celebrated every little bit of cooperation we could get. Because that’s family photography, too. It doesn’t have to be perfectly orchestrated. Sometimes it’s about capturing this particular season of life exactly as it is.
A Place With a Story
One of my favorite parts of this session was the setting.
Dave and Diane bought this beautiful acreage in the Des Moines area with the intention of eventually building their home there. Three years ago, that dream became a reality.
Dave is a retired carpenter and contractor, so it probably comes as no surprise that he has poured plenty of time and care into the property. There’s a gorgeous garden, a flower field, acres of peaceful Iowa countryside—and, of course, his beloved windmills.
Naturally, the windmill needed to make an appearance in the photos. 😉
Dave actually reminded me so much of my own dad. He had that same sense of humor and that same willingness to show up, do what he was asked to do, and then sneak in a few of his own one-liners along the way. And I loved watching how proud he was of the land he and Diane have created together.
These two have been married for nearly 45 years. Dave grew up in Wyoming, but somewhere along the way he met Diane, the love of his life, and together they built a life that eventually brought them to this quiet corner of Iowa.
You can feel that history when you walk around their property.
Butterflies, Flowers & an Iowa Summer Evening
As I pulled down the long gravel driveway, butterflies were already swirling around the property to greet me.
And there were plenty more in the flower fields.
Dave and Diane are hoping to welcome lots of monarchs during their migration this season, and standing there surrounded by flowers, butterflies, and the sounds of crickets, it was easy to understand why they love this place so much.
It was one of those beautiful Iowa evenings that makes you stop and appreciate where you are.
Quiet.
Peaceful.
A little bit wild.
And completely theirs.
And honestly, those are some of my favorite places to photograph families. Because the location isn’t just a pretty backdrop—it becomes part of the story.
The Gift of Remembering This Season
I think that’s what I loved most about this session.
Jamie didn’t just give her parents a photo shoot.
She gave them an evening with their family.
She gave them photographs of their daughter and son-in-law, their daughter visiting from out of state, their grandsons, and even the dog who is part of the family.
She gave them a way to remember this exact version of their family.
Graham at one and a half.
Kasra at 5.
Sisters together again.
Three generations– a family in one beautiful season of life, all gathered together in the place they call home.
Those are the photographs that become more valuable with time.
Jamie, thank you so much for trusting me to document this stage of your family’s life. I loved meeting everyone—and I definitely hope I get to see you all again in front of my camera for round two soon!
And maybe next time we’ll even beat bedtime. 😉
