There’s something so special about photographing families in the middle of Arizona’s cotton fields, and this session out in Buckeye was exactly that kind of special. Did you know that Cotton is one of the 5 C’s of Arizona? If your kids are in school here, they will definitely learn about it.

I met this sweet first-time family out on the farm just as the sun started to dip low, and honestly, it couldn’t have been timed more perfectly. We got that soft golden glow floating over the rows of cotton…the kind of light we photographers LOVE.

And can we talk about their outfits for a second? They showed up in red and black, and oh my gosh, the way the colors popped against the white cotton background was chef’s kiss. Bold colors like this in the field always add such a beautiful contrast, and they nailed it.

One thing I loved most about this session was how fully they trusted me, especially with just meeting me for the first time. They let me lead with some of my favorite candid prompts, and they just rolled with it. Dad especially was so encouraging and in the moment, which is basically every photographer’s dream scenario for dads during family sessions. You have know idea how much children follow that same good attitude. You could feel how much he loves his family, and it made every photo that much sweeter.

Cotton field sessions are such a special treat here in Arizona, because they only happen in the fall, usually around November. And you never really know which farms will grow them each year. This one in Buckeye has been my go-to for the last five years, so being out there again felt familiar and heartwarming…but also bittersweet. It’s likely the last year this particular farm will have cotton, which honestly hits me right in the sentimental feels. These fields in Buckeye have been a part of so many beautiful family stories that I’ve had the pleasure of capturing being a Phoenix photographer.

But this session? It was the perfect way to close out an era. It was my last family session in the cotton fields for this season. A sweet family, the softest sunset glow, and a just a lot of beautiful moments. It was truly one of those evenings you want to tuck away and keep forever. It was perfect!