If you know me, you know I’m a big ol’ softie for sentimental sessions, and this one just hits me right in the feels 🥹 The Reiersons have invited me into their life every year for the past FIVE years, and every single session gets sweeter. This time, we did something a little different — and it might just be my favorite one yet.

We’ve always photographed their family at home, which already makes these sessions feel extra meaningful. Their field, their yard, their little pockets of daily life. When I say I love shooting at locations that matter to my clients, THIS is what I mean. There’s something incredibly special about capturing moments in the places that hold your everyday memories.

This year, we decided to extend their session to 90 minutes and lean even more into storytelling, building in time for kids to play and do their own thing. This evening was filled with joy, connection, and allllll the snuggly, silly, playful energy that makes family photos at home so special.

Why I LOVE Doing Family Photos at Home

There’s just something so special about being photographed in the place you do real life. Your home is where all the good stuff happens—the giggles in the hallway, the dirt-covered carrots from your garden, the trampoline flips, the sandbox cakes, and the after-dinner s’mores.

Home is where everyone already feels like themselves. And when you’ve got three kids with big personalities and even bigger imaginations, it makes so much sense to photograph them in their natural element. 

With the Reiersons, you can feel how much they love being together. And because we weren’t rushing, those unfiltered moments had all the space they needed to unfold naturally.

The Reierson Family Photos at Home

We started in the field by their home (this is our usual photo spot, and I just love how open and glowy it gets). Once we got the classic group photos out of the way, we went to their backyard for more!

The boys played baseball with Dad. Their daughter swung high in her favorite swing. They picked carrots and crab apples from their garden, played in the sandbox, and ended the night around a cozy backyard bonfire roasting marshmallows under the sunset sky. 

There were giggles, grass-stained knees, sticky fingers, and the kind of joy you just can’t fake. And because we had that extra time together, the kids totally warmed up and forgot the camera was even there. 

One of the most special parts of being a legacy family photographer is getting to witness the growth and changes over the years. I’ve photographed this family through many seasons, and watching the kids grow, gain confidence, and remember how fun this all is. That’s what makes this job so dang rewarding.

Why Longer Sessions Work So Well for Family Photos at Home

If you’re reading this and thinking, “Okay, wait… I didn’t even know a 90-minute session was an option??” — LET ME TELL YOU. Longer sessions are where it’s at if you want more than just a holiday card photo.

Longer sessions mean:

• More time for your kids to feel comfy and act natural
  
• More space to include activities you already love doing as a family
  
• A chance to capture your family’s rhythm in a real, honest, and joy-filled way
  
• A mix of classic photos and those messy, magical in-between moments 🥹

Whether you’re a planner with a Pinterest board or a mama who just wants one dang good photo with everyone in it (including YOU!), I’ve got you.

Ready to Book Your Bemidji, MN Family Photographer?

As your Minnesota Family Photographer, I’m here to help you plan the kind of family photos that feel true to you. Because one day, you’ll look back on these moments—the chaos, the play, the giggles—and you’ll miss how it all looked right now.

So, let’s make some memories! When you book with me, you get:

✔️ Customized location scouting to match your vibe

✔️ Timeless, true-to-color edits

✔️ A mix of candid, playful moments and a few posed

✔️ Black & white versions of all your images

✔️ Outfit help to coordinate your family’s look

Learn more about my family photography packages here!