I've been taking pictures of my family for years, but when my sister reached out for an actual family session, I could hardly contain my excitement!!


I met Erin and Luke (and their tiny baby who is now almost a foot taller than me) 11 years ago at a family birthday dinner for my husband's bonus mom. I will never forget it. As an only child who rarely visited with extended family, that dinner - my introduction to the family, was loud, crazy, overwhelming, and everything I always wanted. I recall sitting back in my chair, quietly looking around, and taking it all in. To set the scene: the grandkids running around the chairs, five conversations going on all at once, the laughter and joy around the table, and my now husband gently holding my hand to help soothe my nervousness. Just as one of the kids threw a coaster across the table nearly missing my head, Erin turned to me and says, "so, tell me about yourself."


It's incredible to think about how much life has happened since our first meeting: the high highs, tragic lows, and everything in between. As a mom, I'm finding it more and more important to document these passing seasons before we look back and wonder where the time has gone. It was an absolute honor for me to capture these images for Erin, Luke, the boys, and their darling baby girl. 


Grab a blanket and a hot cup of coffee and cozy up as you scroll through these images.

 

Family group portrait on walking trail with autumn trees and colorful foliage in background.
Romantic couple sharing intimate moment on wooden boardwalk surrounded by autumn scenery.
A tender moment between parent and baby wearing a red headband against a backdrop of autumn foliage.
Three siblings share a warm embrace while wearing casual clothing against autumn trees.
Large maple tree showing autumn color transition from green to red leaves along park pathway.
Family walking together on a wooden boardwalk surrounded by fall colors and tall prairie grasses.
Family group poses for a portrait on a wooden boardwalk with autumn trees in the background.
Sweet embrace between parent and child wearing casual clothing against autumn nature backdrop.
Children running joyfully down a wooden boardwalk surrounded by fall foliage and tall grasses.
Two people running joyfully on paved path surrounded by colorful autumn foliage.
Red autumn leaves with bokeh effect creating a dreamy fall nature scene.
People standing together on a path with fall foliage in the background.
Purple wildflowers blooming among tall golden grass in a natural meadow setting.
People running together on a paved path surrounded by colorful autumn trees.
Bike path marker post along a curved trail surrounded by fall colors.
People enjoying a joyful run along a curved path with autumn colors in the background.
Family portrait on a paved trail with autumn trees and foliage in the background.
Close-up of golden cattails against a natural marsh background.
Black and white portrait of a family group standing together outdoors.
Wooden boardwalk with tall cattails growing through the railing beside a peaceful lake.
Baby wearing red bow headband smiles while being held outdoors in autumn setting.
Family standing together on a walking trail with colorful fall foliage in the background.
Delicate white wildflowers blooming against a soft blurred green background in nature.
Child in gray hoodie holding hands with others while looking up on a paved path.
A family takes a casual autumn walk together on a paved path surrounded by colorful fall foliage.
Young person in plaid shirt smiling at camera against autumn foliage background.
Three young people stand together on a walking path with autumn trees and foliage in the background.
Three people embrace while standing on a path with fall colors and nature in the background.
Bright red maple leaf against beige concrete with subtle texture and speckles.
Family sitting together on stone wall outdoors during autumn season.
A black and white portrait of two people sharing a joyful moment together.
Three people pose together on a walking path surrounded by autumn trees and foliage.
Portrait of young person in mint green hoodie smiling outdoors in autumn setting.
Maple tree displaying vibrant fall colors beside a walking path with wooden fence.
Two people share a candid laughing moment against a backdrop of fall foliage.
Empty rustic wooden bench mounted on metal posts beside a winding path in a park setting.
A group walks together on a winding path through autumn scenery with golden grasses.
Winding pathway through autumn foliage with goldenrod flowers in the foreground.
Three people walk together on a paved trail with autumn foliage in the background.
A tender moment between parent and baby wearing an orange floral blanket outdoors.
Black and white photograph of a wooden boardwalk with reeds growing along the railing.
A sweet outdoor moment between parent and infant wrapped in a mustard yellow patterned blanket.
Two figures stand together on a paved path in an autumn park setting.
Two companions share a candid laughing moment outdoors on an autumn day.
Vibrant orange maple leaf catching sunlight against blurred green background.
Three young people walking together on a path during autumn with colorful fall foliage in the background.
Two people sit together on a rustic stone wall surrounded by fall foliage.
Two people pose together while sitting on large rocks in a natural outdoor setting.
Weathered wooden park bench along a peaceful walking trail surrounded by green foliage.
Family group sits together outdoors with stuffed animals on an autumn day.
Children sit cross-legged on a wooden boardwalk holding stuffed toys.
Golden autumn maple leaves with bokeh effect in natural lighting.
Couple embracing on wooden boardwalk surrounded by tall grass and autumn foliage.
Young person wearing mint green hoodie smiles warmly while standing in tall grass.
Three children and stuffed animals pose on wooden boardwalk surrounded by autumn marsh grasses.
Intimate black and white portrait of couple sharing a tender moment outdoors.
Two people share a warm moment while sitting on wooden boardwalk in autumn setting.
Wooden boardwalk extending over calm lake waters with autumn trees in the background.
Two people sit casually on wooden boardwalk with autumn foliage in background.
A heartwarming black and white portrait showing tender bonding moment between adult and child in tall grass.
Family of five posing together on wooden boardwalk surrounded by autumn foliage.
Family portrait on wooden walkway with fall colors and tall grass in background.
Soft focus goldenrod plant with blurred yellow and green bokeh background in autumn light.
Group standing together on wooden boardwalk with autumn scenery and tall grasses.
Warm embrace shared between two people against golden autumn grass background.
Wooden trail marker post with green directional signs mounted on a tree in a park.
Young person in brown hoodie smiling joyfully outdoors among tall grass during autumn.
Black and white intimate portrait showing affectionate moment between two people.
Close up of bright red berries growing on green leaves in a garden setting.
Three people pose together on wooden boardwalk with autumn colors in background.
Black and white image of a fallen maple leaf on speckled concrete surface.
Group walking together on wooden boardwalk surrounded by fall foliage.
A heartwarming autumn portrait of father and child sitting together on a wooden bench amid golden tall grasses.
Casual outdoor photo of people interacting on wooden boardwalk path.
Dried cattail reeds swaying in the breeze with soft focus background.
Candid moment of group enjoying time together on nature boardwalk in autumn setting.
People standing on a wooden boardwalk through tall grass and autumn trees on a peaceful fall day.
Single vibrant red maple leaf resting on textured light concrete surface.
Group standing on a wooden boardwalk surrounded by fall foliage and tall prairie grass.
Ornamental grass with red and orange plumes catching sunlight in soft focus.
Person holding white teddy bear while wearing peach cardigan and red top.
Group seated together on wooden boardwalk surrounded by autumn prairie grass and golden trees.
Close-up of hands with engagement ring and maple leaf tattoo holding white stuffed animal.
Curved wooden boardwalk through prairie grass with autumn trees and overcast sky.
Black and white portrait of pair sitting together on wooden boardwalk surrounded by tall grass.
Long wooden pier stretches across a serene lake with fall foliage reflecting in the distance.
Group sitting together on wooden boardwalk with autumn foliage and tall grass in background.
Two people sitting together on stone wall with autumn foliage in background.
Close-up of person in plaid flannel holding white stuffed animal toy in black and white photography.
Close-up detail of wooden boardwalk railing with metal markers against blurred natural background.

 

Thanks for reading!

XOXO,

Cassie