The Most Meaningful Photos Aren’t the Pretty Ones — They’re the True Ones

There’s a big difference between a photo that’s pretty and a photo that’s true. Pretty photos are nice to look at. True photos make you feel something.

True photos show the quiet care between partners, the inside jokes, the little gestures, the fleeting moments you think no one noticed. They show the love that’s lived, not posed.

And years from now, truth will matter more than perfection. Truth will carry the memory. Truth is what lasts.

Why I Believe in Letting Kids Lead the Session

Adults worry about photos “turning out right.” Kids don’t. Kids live in the moment. They follow curiosity, excitement, imagination — the things we slowly forget as we grow up.

When kids lead the way, two things happen:

They forget about the camera. And the adults relax.

Suddenly the images become alive with genuine expressions, genuine movement, genuine relationships. That’s why some of my favorite photos are the ones where the child was simply doing what they do best: being a kid.

The Way Photos Become Emotional Anchors

Photos don’t just show what someone looked like. They show how someone felt.

When you lose someone, whether to time or distance or life changing as it always does, photos become emotional anchors. Not in a sad way — in a grounding, comforting way. They hold the feeling of who that person was, and who you were with them.

This is why I photograph the way I do. Emotional honesty matters. Authentic connection matters. One day these images won’t just be photos. They’ll be touch points that bring people back home.

Finding Beauty in the Chaos

Life with kids isn’t quiet. Or predictable. Or tidy. It’s loud, messy, hilarious, exhausting, beautiful chaos. And honestly? That’s the season worth remembering.

When you look back years from now, you’re not going to wish your kids sat still more. You’re not going to wish their clothes were more coordinated or their hair less wild. You’re going to miss the chaos — the energy, the little quirks, the unfiltered joy.

So let the kids run. Let them be silly. Let the moment happen. Chaos makes for incredible photographs because chaos is real. And real is always beautiful.

The Truth About “Not Being Photogenic”

I hear it all the time: “I’m not photogenic.” “I never look good in photos.” “Everyone else looks natural, but I don’t.”

Here’s the truth — people don’t look awkward in photos because they aren’t photogenic. They look awkward because they feel unseen. Because they’re trying to be who they think the camera expects them to be instead of who they are.

My job isn’t to pose you into someone you’re not. My job is to help you feel comfortable enough that your real self — the one your family loves — is the one that shows up. And that version of you? That version photographs beautifully every single time.

The Moments You Don’t Realize Matter (Until They’re Gone)

Most people think the most important photos are the big ones — the milestones, the celebrations, the perfectly planned outfits and locations. But the older I get, the more I realize the moments that stay with us aren’t the ones we expected. They’re the in-between moments. The ones we didn’t think were special at the time.

A quiet laugh between siblings while the camera isn’t “officially” out. The way a parent instinctively brushes hair away from a child’s forehead. That tiny hand reaching up without even looking. Those are the things that disappear the fastest, and the moments we miss the most when life inevitably moves forward.

Photography gives us the gift of remembering the ordinary. And when you look back years later, you’ll realize those were the moments that mattered all along.

The Role of Simplicity

Simplicity is one of my guiding values. The most powerful photos aren’t always the most elaborate—they’re often the simplest. A hand resting on a shoulder. A laugh shared between siblings. A quiet moment of stillness before the next burst of energy.

By stripping away distractions, photography allows us to focus on what really matters: the connection between people. That’s where the magic is.

Creating a Comfortable Space

One of my biggest priorities when working with families is helping you feel comfortable. I know it can feel intimidating to step in front of a camera—especially when kids are involved and the idea of getting everyone to sit still seems impossible.

Here’s the secret: you don’t have to sit still. You don’t even have to “perform.” My sessions are designed to be relaxed, fun, and natural. I’ll guide you gently when needed, but the best moments usually come when you forget the camera is there.

I value positivity, inclusivity, and ease. Whether that means letting kids run around and play, or encouraging a couple to share an inside joke, the more natural you feel, the more authentic the photos will be.

Why the Perfect Photo Isn’t About Perfection

I’ve always believed that photography should do more than just look beautiful—it should make you feel something. That belief started years ago when I first picked up a camera. I wasn’t thinking about perfect lighting or whether every detail was technically right. What mattered to me was the way a photo could hold onto a moment that might otherwise slip away.

To me, the perfect photo isn’t the one where everyone is posed just right—it’s the one where your daughter bursts out laughing in the middle of a hug, or where your family is tangled together on the couch, relaxed and comfortable in your own rhythm. Those are the images that tell the truth.

And that’s why, when I photograph families, my goal isn’t to create something flawless—it’s to create something real. Photos that bring you back to the feeling of that day, the sound of laughter, the warmth of being together. Because years from now, when you look back, I want you to remember not just how you looked, but exactly how you felt.