Since deciding to work at a family’s home for most of my sessions, I still get asked if I will do a session on location.

There is magic in your home <3

I love working with a family in their home. Even if you think your house isn’t up to snuff, it’s your home, and you will remember your family there.  I’m sure there is some exception, but I believe I can find magic in nearly any house because the magic is in you. When you’re in your own home, it’s easier to relax and forget I have a camera, too.

Being in your home isn’t a rule. There are many good reasons to go to a location.

But, Jessica, our family likes to explore!

Honestly, I’d love to go to a location, too. Maybe your family likes to go on adventures. Our family does! We enjoy hiking in the forest, playing at the beach, exploring new areas, and camping. These are all great reasons to get out of the house. If your backyard isn’t enough, we can visit one of your family’s favorite places or look for a new place to check out.

We are only vacationing in the Upper Peninsula.

If you’re just vacationing in the UP, rented cabins or camping can also be fun to document. But, if you’re in a crowded campground or an ugly hotel that you don’t want to document, we can find a location for your session. We will work together to find an outdoor place that feels right to your family, where you can explore, play, and relax together.

The photos in this post are of a family that was just up in the Upper Peninsula for a couple of days and asked if I had availability during the time that they would be up here. Since I did, we planned to meet at Sherman Park, where they could hang out a little more and get some relaxed photos of their family. We stuck to the part of the beach that doesn’t often get used so that it could be just them.

Take me with you: Places and activities I would love to shoot with a family

As a creative, I can’t help but think about dreamy photo sessions. Here are just a couple I would love to shoot. (So, if this is your family–get in touch–please!)

Out on your boat

Are you one of those families that spend a ton of time on the water each summer? If so, I will be available next summer for longer full-day and half-day sessions. So you can take me as a stowaway on your boat, and I can capture all that magic Michigan summer.

Beach fire hangout

Just thinking about including this in a session makes me so excited. After hanging out with your family for the afternoon, we can head down to the beach, build a fire, roast some marshmallows, don sweatshirts and blankets, and get cozy.

Just make it true to you

The biggest thing for me is that you’re in a place that you feel comfortable to be yourselves, so I can catch the best parts of your family.