Sometimes the best moments are the ones you fight a little to make happen—and this extended family session was one of those. After a reschedule due to rain, we met on a chillier-than-usual June day at a new spot: Camel Hump Park, tucked away in a quiet Cottage Grove neighborhood.

A few years ago, I had the pleasure of meeting the Halliburton family to capture their oldest son’s senior photos. Not long after, we did a family session, documenting their special bond. Fast forward to now, and life looks very different for them! Their oldest is married and has welcomed a beautiful baby girl into the family, bringing new joy and energy to their lives. We recently reconnected to capture updated family photos, celebrating the changes that have unfolded over the years. This time, we included the family dogs, who added a playful and loving dynamic to the session. It’s always fun to incorporate pets into family portraits—they’re such an important part of the story. To make the session even more meaningful, we spent a little time photographing Renee as she embarks on a new business venture. It was inspiring to see her passion and excitement for this new chapter.
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Being invited back to document milestones and transitions is one of the best parts of my job. It’s a privilege to witness and preserve these moments for families like the Halliburtons. Here's to celebrating growth, love, and all the moments in between!

Capturing the extended family photos of Linda Dagen was an absolute joy. Linda is a remarkable woman I know from church, whose journey through adversity has only deepened her authenticity and joy. She has an incredible ability to see and love people, radiating a warmth that draws everyone. 

During our photo session, the atmosphere was filled with laughter and love as I captured this special family. I felt honored to capture these moments of connection, where every smile reflected Linda’s contentment in the Father's love. We even managed to sneak in some beautiful senior shots of her granddaughter, highlighting the next generation of joy and resilience.

These images will serve as lasting memories of a family deeply rooted in love. It was a true privilege to document Linda’s legacy, showcasing not just her family, but the spirit of joy that she brings into the lives of those around her. Linda, as you said, these photos are your Christmas gift to yourself -- I hope they're treasures that last a lifetime!

The cousin crew. That's what we affectionally call our kids and their cousins when they're together. I could not help but think "cousin crew" was a great way to describe this fun-loving, giggly group of four cousins. Nana and Papa had decided it was time to get some updated photos of the extended family, so we found ourselves at Lake Rebecca Park in Hastings. One unexpected blessing? A local non-profit had a pop-up for getting kids into fishing and gave away free fishing poles and supplies. (Thanks, Grizzly Dan's Adventures!)

When the full extended family can all be together at the cabin for a graduation party, you have to take family photos, right? That is what the Jacobs family did! Normally, we take their pictures around the Cottage Grove area. This summer they invited me to their family cabin in Wisconsin at the end of July to help them capture them all together before the big celebration!