Sometimes the family sessions that come together at the very last minute end up being some of the sweetest ones.
The Van Landingham family is originally from the Kansas City area, but they were visiting Northwest Arkansas and spending time on their family’s property when Mom reached out about fitting in a family photography session while they were here.
And when I say this was a last-minute session, I mean last minute.
Mom knew she was taking a chance asking about availability so close to their visit, especially since I was about to leave for vacation. Thankfully, everything lined up and I was able to squeeze their session onto my calendar about a day and a half before I was getting on a plane.
Nothing like sneaking in one more golden hour session before vacation mode officially begins.
And I am so glad we made it happen.
A Family Photography Session Full of Personality
Mom and Dad brought their two sweet little boys along, and these two made sure there was absolutely no shortage of entertainment during their session.
Their oldest immediately had plenty to tell me about his favorite sports teams. Since they are from the Kansas City area, he made sure I knew exactly where his loyalties were.
The Kansas City Chiefs and Kansas City Royals were both very important topics of conversation.
He was also more than happy to demonstrate some of his sports moves for me.
And honestly, I love when kids come into a session ready to show me the things they are excited about.
Family photos do not have to mean standing perfectly still with your hands politely at your sides while everyone smiles at the camera.
Sometimes it means throwing an imaginary football.
Sometimes it means demonstrating your batting stance.
And sometimes it means convincing your photographer that you have your own posing ideas that definitely need to be documented.
Which brings me to his posing requests.
He had some very specific ideas about how he wanted to pose for his pictures.
Rather than completely shutting down his creative direction, we made a deal.
I would photograph some of the poses he wanted if he agreed to do some of the poses I wanted.
A little negotiation never hurt anyone.
And it worked perfectly.
He got to feel like he had some control over his photographs, I still got the portraits I knew Mom would want, and we ended up capturing some images that really showed his personality at this particular age.
Those are often the photographs families end up loving the most.
Dance Moves Might Win This Round
Little brother had his own talents he was ready to show off.
He attempted a few sports moves of his own, but I think it is safe to say that dancing might currently be more in his wheelhouse.
And he was not shy about showing me those moves.
Watching siblings interact during a family session is one of my favorite parts of photographing families.
Even when two kids are growing up in the exact same home, their personalities can be completely different.
One might want to talk sports and create his own poses while the other is happily dancing through the session.
That is exactly the kind of thing I want to photograph.
Because the goal is not just to document what your children look like right now.
It is to document who they are right now.
The funny expressions.
The confidence.
The interests.
The ridiculous dance moves.
The things they are obsessed with this year that might be completely replaced by something else next year.
That is the good stuff.
The Perfect Northwest Arkansas Golden Hour
We also could not have asked for prettier light during this session.
It was definitely a little warm outside, because Northwest Arkansas likes to remind us that summer is not finished until it decides it is finished.
Thankfully, the wind kicked up enough to make the temperature much more comfortable.
And that light?
Absolutely gorgeous.
The sun was sitting behind the family and creating that warm, glowing golden light that makes outdoor family sessions so beautiful.
This was one of those evenings where the phrase golden hour really earned its name.
Everything behind them was glowing, the breeze was moving through the property, and the entire session had that relaxed summer-evening feeling.
There is something especially meaningful about photographing a family on property that already has a connection to them.
Instead of simply choosing a pretty location, we were documenting this season of their family while they were visiting a place that is part of their family’s story.
Years from now, those details matter.
Dad Photos Are Sometimes the Funniest Photos
One of my favorite parts of the entire Van Landingham family session happened when I photographed Dad with the boys.
We started with some of the more traditional father-and-son photographs, and then Dad suggested doing a silly picture.
And everyone fully committed.
Dad basically looks like he is screaming while both boys are doing their own completely different silly expressions.
There is absolutely nothing polished or serious about it.
Which is exactly why I love it.
Of course, I want every family to leave their session with beautiful portraits where everyone is looking toward the camera.
But I also want the photographs that make you laugh five years from now.
The photograph where you can immediately hear your child’s laugh just by looking at it.
The photograph where Dad is being ridiculous.
The photograph that reminds you exactly what your family felt like during that stage of life.
Those images deserve a spot in the gallery too.
Family Photos Do Not Have to Be Perfect
One of the biggest misconceptions about family photography is that everything needs to be perfectly planned before you schedule your session.
Perfect outfits.
Perfect weather.
Perfectly behaved children.
A calendar planned six months in advance.
The Van Landingham family’s session is a pretty good example of why that simply is not true.
This session was scheduled incredibly last minute.
We were fitting it in immediately before I left for vacation.
The boys had their own opinions about posing.
It was warm outside.
And yet the photographs turned out absolutely beautiful.
Because family photography is not really about creating a perfect family for the camera.
It is about photographing the family you already have.
The one where kids have big personalities and parents laugh at the chaos.
The one where someone wants to dance instead of pose.
The one where Dad suggests a ridiculous photograph.
The one you are going to miss someday when your kids are taller, their voices sound different, and those little personalities have grown into entirely new versions of themselves.
That is why I will always encourage families to take the pictures.
Visiting Northwest Arkansas? Your Family Session Can Still Be Meaningful
You also do not have to live in Northwest Arkansas to schedule a family photography session here.
If you are visiting family, spending time at a family property, coming into town for vacation, or simply happen to have everyone together at the same time, that can be one of the best opportunities to finally update your family portraits.
Sometimes waiting for the “perfect time” means another year goes by without getting everyone photographed together.
And children certainly are not waiting on our calendars before they grow.
If your family is going to be visiting Northwest Arkansas and you have been thinking about scheduling family photos, reach out as early as you can.
And yes, sometimes I can pull off a last-minute miracle like I did for the Van Landingham family, but availability is always easier when we have a little more time to plan.
Whether your session involves quiet cuddles, sports demonstrations, dance performances, negotiating poses with a very opinionated child, or Dad yelling during the silly picture, I want your family photographs to actually feel like your family.
If you are ready to update your family portraits, contact Chylea Denney Photography to start planning your Northwest Arkansas family photography session.
Because the personalities your kids have right now deserve to be remembered too.
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