Wild Kin WanderingWild Kin Wandering
Soulful, nostalgic, & cozy storytelling photography for families connected to the earth and to each other
we’re back in the PnW on the sweetest island & currently booking sessions for 2022!
Ain’t that the truth! Mud has the answers. It makes philosophers and poets of the little ones that fall into its warm embrace. Our children know its power beyond a good mud pie. They gravitate to it, and give themselves to it completely in a deep and blissful communion with nature. We as adults can only remember this in fragments, like pieces of a dream. Kids love mud and mud loves them.
I’m always so amazed by how much more present I am when hiking with my kiddos, especially my youngest. He is amazed by it all, from the tiniest little pebble to the most epic vista. Seeing it through his eyes is something akin to experiencing pure magic, at least as close as I have come.
Yes, I’ll be the first to admit that outdoor adventures are tougher with kids. I recently read an article that said a three-mile hike with a toddler is noticeably more exhausting than a 20-mile hike alone with your adult self. And it’s true. Moving with a small child is like trudging through quicksand.
But little people also force you to slow down and soak it all in. Every.single.bug. And what may have at first seemed pretty dang annoying soon becomes the very best way to walk through life. With your eyes, ears, and heart open to it all.
Life is busy. Diapers don’t change themselves. The laundry seems to procreate in the basket. And the to-do list never actually gets to-done. That’s just life as a parent.
But life is also short, and our kids don’t keep. Instead of picking ourselves apart, let’s take a play out of our children’s playbook and slow down, embrace the love, and see the beauty in the chaos. Let’s give ourselves the same grace that our kids give us every day.
The truth is, you have never looked more beautiful than you do to your children in this moment. If you won't do it for yourself, get in the photo for your little loves. They need these pictures of you.
Our experiences craft our stories. Your family’s story is everything. Let me help you tell it.
I grew up in central Pennsylvania where I first cultivated my love of hot pretzels, beer cheese, cozy pubs, and hiking trails that look like they came right out of the pages of a storybook. Grad school took me to New Orleans and, more importantly, King Cake. And a move to the West Coast introduced me to the new loves of my life: Beecher’s Mac and Cheese and photography. Yep, I’m pretty food oriented.
Since living in Louisiana, my family has “settled” in lots of places and has lived in all four corners of the United States. We just moved back to the PNW after a couple years in the desert, and my not-so-secret dream is to build a cob home on Whidbey Island and homestead. I love the desert, but the mossy, drippy green that is Washington State speaks to my soul.
Mostly, I just want my children, my wild kin, to grow up with a sense of wonder, wander, and a strong passion for protecting this planet. And I want that for your family, too.
Whatever your family’s “wild” is, I’m here to help you find it.
From finding family friendly off-the-beaten paths, to helping you choose gear and strategies to make adventuring with your family not only doable, but fun; I will guide you in crafting the best experience that renews the bonds you have with your partner, that you both have with your children, and that you all have with the Earth.
Adventuring in a State or National Park sometimes requires a permit. I know the ins and outs to photographing on public lands and I’ll ensure each box is checked and each permit is accounted for.
I have all the best tips and tricks for hiking in photography attire (after all, I photograph brides hiking in wedding gowns!). I am also a former forest preschool teacher so I know lots of ways to keep kiddos entertained and happy on the trail.
Have you been checking the weather? I have! I also carry with me the things you might have forgotten – insulated leggings, headlamps, snacks, and the all important caffeine (kids aren’t the only ones who need a treat every once in a while). You won’t be caught outdoors unprepared, trust me!
It impacts both their mental and physical health, as well as the world they will one day inherit and be entrusted to protect. Quite simply put, stewardship of this Earth begins with an introduction to the outdoors. Children are inherent explorers, intuitive scientists, and need to adventure and take calculated risks (their big people need this, too!).
Maybe your family goes on hikes every weekend, or maybe you simply wish life worked out that way. An adventure family session is the perfect opportunity to love on your family in a wild place with beautiful storytelling images to document it all. Just bring yourselves. I’ll take care of the rest!
Perfect for adventurous families (or those aspiring to be!)
STARTING AT $1100 (+WA State sales tax)
What you get:
Family adventures on Whidbey or Fidalgo Island
STARTING AT $900 (+WA State sales tax)
What you get:
No matter what race, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, abilities, or where you are from, you are safe here.
Black lives matter. Women’s rights are human rights. No human is illegal. Love is love. And yeah, science is real, too.
Fill out the contact form and we’ll get the ball rolling!
We’ll pinpoint the perfect date and piece of Earth based on your vision and goals.
Seriously, this is a stress-free zone. You don't have to worry about a thing.
Your vision becomes a reality and just the beginning of many more adventures to come!
Receive a gallery full of storytelling images that give you all the feels.
A family session is a super personal event, but your session could have impacts that go far beyond you.
Kids that grow up spending large quantities of time in nature, grow to love those wild places as a second home. They have a sense of belonging there, and they are more likely to fight for and protect those places as adults.
So adventuring with your family is not only good for them, it’s good for this blue and green planet we call home.
It doesn’t stop at you!
You are showing others that it is not only possible to adventure after having children, but important!
You are embracing YOUR adventure, prioritizing your relationship in front of your children, and modeling an Earth-centric way to commit to your partner and your family. And that’s freakin’ awesome!
I’m based right outside of Seattle, WA.
Yep! Up to 50 miles is included. Want a session further afield? Reach out and I’ll prepare a custom quote!
My little family is everything to me. Having a new baby a couple years ago strengthened those feelings. Family is what resonates with me.
As a former forest preschool teacher and someone who loves this planet we’re all living on, it’s also my mission to get as many families and kids outdoors and in natural spaces as possible. Kids that grow up spending large quantities of time in nature, grow to love those wild places as a second home. They have a sense of belonging there, and they are more likely to fight for and protect those places as adults.
Focusing on families is my way of focusing on this lovely blue and green planet of ours.
Permits, timelines and location scouting are all things I do as part of booking one of my photography packages. But I also love personalizing each shoot to the beautifully unique families I get to photograph! If you have any other questions, feel free to send an email or give me a call.
You can expect to receive 50+ storytelling images documenting all the big and sweet candid in-between moments from your adventure.
My approach to photography is cozy, soulful, and nostalgic, with a focus on storytelling images that communicate connection.
I believe life cannot be reduced to a few simple and tidy truths. The human experience is holistic, chaotic, genuine, profound, and (if we’re being honest) pretty damn scary. And yet it’s also filled with breathtaking beauty. Photographs should reflect this.
I sure do! I love to explore new places. Feel free to inquire about your specific location. And if you don’t know, that’s okay, too! Contact me so we can pinpoint your perfect piece of Earth together.
Yep! Feel free to reach out with your location. Alternatively, if you know you’ve got the international itch, but haven’t yet chosen a place, I’m happy to help you pinpoint it!
There’s no real timeline here. Basically, reach out and we’ll figure it out!
I sure do! I’m embarrassed to admit this, but I’ve looked at previous family portraits I have had taken of my own little family maybe, um, twice. Right after they were delivered to me. And then again several months later when I was looking for something to post on Facebook (I told you it was embarrassing).
Why don’t I gaze upon them more often? Because they live in a file on my computer and aren’t out in the open asking to be examined, remembered, and loved. Printing puts them front and center, on your wall, on your coffee table, or in Grandma’s lap. Printing makes the moments and feelings from that day tangible (literally tangible). It’s really pretty magical.
To ensure the quality of your prints, I work with a professional print lab. Portrait products and heirloom albums can be conveniently ordered directly from your gallery.
It all starts with an inquiry! Once you’ve inquired, I’ll send a questionnaire your way so I can get to know your family and story better, and learn how best I can serve you as a photographer & adventure buddy. Once you return the questionnaire, choose a location, and pay your deposit, you’re officially booked!
On the day of your session, I’ll be there to remind you to remain present. We’ll find ways to ensure you’re comfortable in front of the camera – you’ll likely even forget it’s there at times! Once the session is over, you’ll receive a gallery of your images within 6 weeks of the session date (usually a lot sooner!).
