Just a couple of weeks ago I made it up to Michigan for my annual fall family photos trip. I think this marks the fourth time shooting this family, and our first time ever shooting at sunset. YAY! I love both sunrise and sunset lighting, but when you shoot in the fall (or even in the spring), sunrise is significantly colder than sunset. So the last few years of sessions have meant throwing coats and hats and mittens on in between shots, snuggling in blankets, and even battling the morning dew on the grasses. We bumped our session back a few days from our original plans, because another thing we’ve battled for the last few years has been the wind. Now, you know I love a good windy-haired portrait and that Lindsay kills it when it comes to these, but I figured she might want nice calm weather for once, and I had the flexibility in my schedule. Man-oh-man we lucked out with a gorgeous evening.

Fall family photos at Matthaei Botanical Gardens are absolutely gorgeous – the tall grasses are the perfect color, the trees are on fire out in the field, and the lighting is stunning as it fades behind the tree line as the sun sets. This year’s session marked Preston’s fourth birthday and his big birthday bash was happening the next morning. He excitedly told us there was just one more sleep till tractor rides and petting zoos. I see this family a couple of times a year, but the last time I saw them was last Christmas. It amazed me just how much Preston has grown in those 10 months, and Fischer, too. Preston turned into a big kid overnight, and Fischer went from baby to toddler. Both of these changes are astounding when you don’t see them regularly and I’m pretty sure Preston will be as tall as me by the time he’s 10.

It warms my heart to have friends who are clients and have been with me from the beginning. To be able to see their family grow and change and to document it all for them is such a privilege. To run and play and dance among the weeds and trees with them and then deliver a (huge) collection of images capturing it all fills my cup till it runs over the top. Thank you for having me, year after year, Baden family. See you all this holiday season!

casey and her camera is an Indianapolis Family Photographer specializing in couple, lifestyle, elopement, wedding and family photography for Indianapolis, Indiana and the surrounding areas.Casey services Indianapolis and the surrounding areas, as well as southeast Michigan.