When this mama from Virginia reached out and asked for a documentary-style session in the Arizona desert…I knew this was going to be something different! Documentary-style is not a whole lot of posing or prompting, just real-life storytelling and seeing what happens. And honestly? I love a good challenge. It’s in these moments that I grow the most as a photographer.
It’s easy to fall into a rhythm with sessions, especially when most families come in with expectations based on the images they’ve seen on my website. I totally get it. They want those posed photos with a little prompting sprinkled in for the natural smiles. It’s the formula I’ve worked hard to perfect. But this family? They wanted something more raw. More organic. More them. So instead of directing the whole time, I let go of the usual structure and just… followed…a lot.
We wandered through the warm textures of the Arizona desert, and for the most part, I let the family simply be. My camera stayed up the entire time, walking behind them, around them, watching little moments unfold and capturing them as they happened. There were a couple of times I gently stepped in with some direction, but mostly, I stepped back. And wow, it stretched me in the best way.
I’ll be real. I was a little nervous before the session. It’s not my typical workflow, and I wasn’t sure how it would all come together. I know how many families feel more comfortable when they’re guided, when they know what to do with their hands or where to look. But this mama? She knew exactly what she wanted from the start, and having that clear expectation gave us all the freedom to settle in and just enjoy.
Her daughters, Mia and McKenna, were full of personality and energy right from the moment they hopped out of the car. And this was their very first session as a family of five since welcoming their newest little one. I could feel how special this was for them. It was not just another photo session, but a memory of their time together in this unique desert landscape.
The Arizona desert gave us all the best textures…soft golden sand, jagged rocks, and that warm, dreamy light that always shows up just when I need it most. Their outfits were perfect for the environment, adding the right amount of contrast without taking away from the scenery.
When I uploaded the photos to my computer later, I wasn’t sure what I’d find. I didn’t know if it would all come together like it had in my mind. But as the images loaded onto my screen, I found myself in love with the story they told.
This session reminded me that stepping outside my comfort zone is the process of growth as an Phoenix, Arizona photographer. And I’m grateful for families like this one who trust the process, go with the flow, and invite me into their story.
If you’re visiting and want Arizona desert family photos that go beyond the posed, that feel like you, I’m here for it. Whether you’re just passing through or an Arizona local who wants something a little different, I’d love to wander the desert with you and tell your family’s story.