Sometimes the Best Family Photos Begin with a Favorite Song
Every family session has its own personality.
Some are quiet and slow-paced. Others are full of nonstop laughter. And every once in a while, all it takes is the right song to completely change the evening.
I recently met up with the Dunphy family for a spring family session in Brule, Wisconsin. Josh, Megan, and their son, Bodey, joined me as part of a special evening where we combined two mini sessions for our extended family. Each family received their own gallery while also creating a few larger family portraits together—a fun way to make the most of a beautiful spring evening.
As with many young children, Bodey wasn't especially interested in standing still for pictures.
Honestly...
That's completely normal.
Young kids are curious. They want to explore. They'd much rather investigate the woods than smile at a camera, and that's one of the reasons I never expect perfection from little ones.
Instead, I try to meet them where they are.
During this session, Megan quietly pulled out her phone and started playing Noah Kahan from her back pocket.
Almost instantly, everything changed.
The music was familiar.
Comforting.
It gave Bodey something recognizable, and suddenly we were able to slow things down just enough to capture those cuddly moments every parent hopes for.
Those little moments are often the ones that become family favorites.
As I edited this gallery, I found myself smiling because I've known Josh since he was a senior in high school.
Watching him grow into a husband and now a dad has been incredibly special. Photography has a funny way of allowing you to witness life's milestones, and this session felt like another chapter in a story I've had the privilege of watching unfold over the years.
The soft spring light in Brule made the evening even more beautiful. The open space allowed Bodey to be himself while giving us plenty of room to play, explore, and create natural moments instead of stiff poses.
One of the things I always remind parents is that family sessions don't require perfectly behaved children.
In fact, they rarely happen that way.
The best photographs usually come from hugs that weren't planned, giggles that couldn't be scripted, and little personalities shining through exactly as they are.
Those are the photographs that mean the most years from now.
If you're considering family photos in Brule, Superior, Duluth, or anywhere throughout the Twin Ports, my goal is always to create a relaxed experience where your family can simply spend time together while I document the moments that naturally unfold.
Because years from now, your children probably won't remember every direction I gave.
But they'll remember laughing with Mom and Dad.
And those memories are always worth preserving.
If you've been thinking about updating your family photos, I'd love to help you tell your family's story.
