“Photography is a luxury”

Reserve a summer signature session at home | Popsicle mini sessions

It's pretty common in the family photography industry to hear people talking about how “photography is a luxury.”

I disagree. It's one of the easiest things in the world to do now. Everyone has the ability to take photos at their fingertips. Everything from a messy spaghetti face to an award at school and all the in-between.

Intentional, emotion-driven, everyone-included, made-you-feel-something photography… that's different.

The idea got me thinking about how little luxuries are sprinkled all through our lives and thank goodness, because they make days feel beautiful in unexpected ways.

Know what else is a luxury?

Fresh flowers for no reason on a Tuesday.

The perfect jeans that fit like a glove and last for years without changing shape.

Climbing into crisp bed with fresh sheets.

The ability to choose where you buy your food.

Cold, fresh drinking water.

A long shower with hot water and no one knocking.

When someone else brings you a mug of tea or coffee or makes you a homecooked meal.

An afternoon nap without guilt.
Bougie ice cream - the $7 pint with the flecks of actual vanilla bean.
Unhurried time with someone you love.

Tipping well without doing the math first.

First class. Business class. The window seat, even, hallelujah.

A haircut at the place where they hand you a beverage.

The fancy night cream that's made for actual adults instead of the drugstore brand you've used since you were a pimply teenager.

The upgrade to heated seats.

The monthly cleaning service.

The $7 ice cream and the first class seat and the afternoon nap may not have much in common on paper - one's a few dollars, one's a few thousand, one costs nothing at all.

But underneath, they're small, deliberate yeses that make your life feel present in your own life. Simple joys that keep things special.

Nobody needs the luxurious haircut with a blowout or the heated seats.

Our hair and our butts would both survive just fine.

You choose them because they make an ordinary day feel a little more lovely.

I guess hiring a photographer is kindof like that.
Except it's the kind of luxury that keeps giving long after the jeans rip and the cream disappears. It allows space for savoring a beautiful window where no one has anywhere else to be and your only job is to enjoy each other.

And then something that stays from that feeling.

I'm bringing back my summer popsicle mini sessions this July as a shorter, lighter, simpler yes to working together, but still with an ample playful punch. This is the only kind of “mini” anything I offer all year and it's a beautiful way to enjoy a summer night tromping barefoot around a field.

You can get the inside scoop here and grab a spot early if you already know you're in.

You can also click the button below to add yourself to the interest list for more details in the coming weeks + opportunities to snag one of eight spots.

Add me to the interest list for popsicle mini sessions

// new + noteworthy //

THINGS I SAVED THIS WEEK//
Bad phone habits have been sneakily trying to make their way back into my days and I'm gung-ho for trying this this summer.

Sorry I didn't text you back.

IN-HOME FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHY SERIES (ON THE PODCAST) //

PART 3 this week is all about a process I call Story Filters that turns every family session into a scavenger hunt.

Grab the companion resource with all the content in a handy reference guide for photographers right here.

A GAME //

Among the small haul of summer somethings I got for our very home-bound summer, this sweet all-wood version of Chinese checkers is the simplest game for multiple ages to learn and the whole family (or group of neighbor friends) to pick up and play.

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CREATIVITY | FAMILY | SIMPLE JOYS

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