Have you heard of a “porch-trait”? This beautiful family has never had a professional family portrait taken. Their son was home from college and asked if I would be willing to do a “porch-trait” for them. Abso-freaking-lutely!!!

They live in Hidden Springs and if you have ever been there it is a beautiful little community! I had spotted this location in their neighborhood as I was driving to their home. When I arrived at their beautiful home, I asked if they wanted to go around the corner for more of an outdoor look since they are a very “outdoorsy” family or if they would prefer to stay in their yard or front porch? They were open to go around the corner to this beautiful little spot.

We spent about five minutes shooting and spent some time visiting at a recommended social distancing distance. It was so good to see them and visit!! Like so freaking good!!

Family “porch-traits” are so great for the families that have their college kids at home. I’m sure having the family together is super rare. We can update your family portrait in your front yard or some place close by. I seem to always find a beautiful spot with amazing lighting! We purposely planned for close to sunset to get a family shot. We added a few shots while we were at it but seriously didn’t get closer than 6′ and took maybe five minutes. There is no need to get closer than 6′! Other than I would have loved to hug!

The neighborhood was hopping. So many people out riding bikes, walking dogs and everyone was honoring social distancing. Same things I see on my street. It makes my heart so happy! Stay strong my friends!

Meet the wonderful Albin Family!

I have done senior portraits for them and now family portraits! It was rainy and wet and spring isn’t completely grown in yet so we played in the studio! New backdrop and all! Apparently the backdrop was perfect for their home decor! Can’t wait to see these on their walls!

The session started off as usual. You know, the boys acting bummed to have to take pictures, kind of mopey…then things turned around when we served them toasted bagels and orange juice! Score!! Moods changed quickly. I got cooperation and smiles all around! Bribery is great for pictures!

On this day was Mariah’s 18th birthday! What a fun way to celebrate and capture this memory! This milestone! The family relationships! They did so great with their outfits and you can see the love they have for one another.

Are you due for updated family portraits? With the way things are going right now, I assume your family is together and have a little extra time on your hands. Let’s update your family portraits!

Do you love having coffee with your best friend?

These girls really enjoyed hot chocolate together in their fancy dresses in the heart of the north end. These girls are sisters and know how to have fun! They are best friends, well, they may not think that but they will understand one day. Their coats and dresses are from London, but these Boise girls are rough and tough. Don’t let their dresses fool you! We started with hot chocolate in Hyde Park which was a little risky. We were like two inches from them making sure they didn’t spill. It was a great way to start though. We immediately had fun and the chill in the air wasn’t going to stop us!

When mom showed me the dresses and coats, I was immediately excited. Grandma loves to shop for these girls and they looked so stinkin’ cute!! As many sessions as I have done, I have never had so many complete strangers walk up and compliment on clothing but also grab my reflector and offer to help! I didn’t need help but so many people wanted to be part of this sister session.

Do you have updated portraits of your kids together? This year somehow slipped by without me capturing my girls so we are headed to the snow this week to capture them separately and together…AND some family shots! It’s been way too long! Clothes are on the way and we can’t wait! The last two professional sessions of my girls were in the lavender fields in 2017, and at the Sand Dunes in 2018. I’m excited to capture them in the beautiful snow!

You ready to get started??? Book your family session now!
I help with clothing and everything else so click the following link to start the planning process! Quit procrastinating! Click it! I’m so excited to start planning!
https://directory.bookedin.com/photography-by-kam?date=2019-12-31

#photographybykam #idahofamilyphotographer #familyisart #capturerelationships #capturememories #startwithaplanningsession

The last time I saw Jack & Bethany was to meet for a beer at Clairvoyant and they taught us how to play cribbage. So fun!! I think we need another refresher though. I don’t feel like that was too long ago and then I heard they were expecting and then I got a wonderful message that their baby girl was born in October and they really wanted to get pictures done before she got any bigger! Time flies you guys! It’s so crazy!

We met for a planning session and they were on their way to getting their first professional family portraits! Bethany had her dress on order and she worked outfits around her dress. She did an amazing job you guys! I love the pattern on her dress (with the necklace and lipstick as final touches), I love the pattern that shows under Jack’s sweater at the neck and wrists, and I love that baby Ada has a bow that ties them all together! The little details are so BIG!! Don’t they look amazing?!?!?!

When they came in to order yesterday and said they had a great time at the session, it made my day!! All the planning ahead of time made for a smooth, fun session! It doesn’t have to be painful. It’s like taking a test at school. I know it’s been a while since we all went to school but remember when you studied for a test, you walked in with confidence and it wasn’t as painful. Same goes for family portraits. We do all the “studying” ahead of time and then the session is smooth!

The studio is great because you can really wear whatever you want. The dress Bethany chose would have been pretty chilly to wear outside but with the heated studio and a cold beer, she was comfortable.

You will notice the grouping of images in this post. We created this at their ordering session. Although all seven images are small, when hung 1″ apart in a cluster like this, it tells a story and looks more like one big image. I can’t wait to see it on their wall!!

You know when you meet someone and you are like, these are my people!?? This is what happened when I met Erika. I loved how she found me. She was sitting at her daughter’s gymnastics class and noticed a family picture on someones phone. She loved it! She asked who took it, got my information, contacted me and now she is going to have beautiful portraits on her wall before Christmas! The funny thing is she proclaims to be a procrastinator! I love that she went for something she wanted, something that meant so much to her!!
I treat life like it’s Costco…if it’s available, let’s go for it!! haha Okay, maybe not in everything but I am definitely a person that when I like something or have an idea I just go for it!!! How about you? Are you a get ‘er done type person or do you tend to procrastinate? I think this could be compared to a morning person vs. a non morning person. You either are or you aren’t. Maybe??
Either way, I’m so excited for this family to have their family portraits on their walls to enjoy for many years to come! I’m so thankful that she saw something she liked and went for it! There is nothing more that I love than to share my love and gift to more families.
I LOVED that they included Grandma! What do these memories mean to this family? More than they know now but the little girls will cherish these one day. They are too young to appreciate now but later these will be priceless. This is the perfect gift for grandma and her daughter right now and later. What do you want now? What do you want most? Go for it!! Make it happen! No regrets!

I know the pictures I took of MY grandma with my kids and niece are cherished by all of us. They are priceless you guys! The pictures I have of my kids and niece with MY parents are priceless. I cherish those and to be honest, should probably be updated!

Pictures are so powerful, usually way more powerful and appreciated if something happens to someone. Take those pictures with your phone every day, with the people you are with. Take video of that little voice, old voice, singing, and maybe even the whining…haha

What pictures do you cherish the most and why?