Let’s just go ahead and discuss the elephant in the room: MONEY. Money is a factor, right? We get tempted, then feel guilty about spending on something that isn’t a necessity. Some things vary so much in price that it’s hard to even figure out whether the particular one you want is “worth it.” And when it comes time for family photos, we may wind up hiring that mom down the street who’s recently picked up photography and offers what seems like a really good deal.

But is it?

Torn: that's how you're feeling, right?

ON THE ONE HAND: What could be better than a rich, intimate collection of photos that get at the essence of what your family's right now feels like.

ON THE OTHER HAND: Is it really worth it? Will the photos reflect our reality in a way that you'll LOVE?

Raise your hand if you’ve ever booked a photo session with a photographer who seems to make families look radiant, golden, and straight out of a fairy tale.  Then the day of your session rolls around, and you’re going crazy trying to get the kids dressed, bribing them to behave, begging your spouse to have a good attitude and go along with it, and sequestering yourself in your bedroom for some quick deep breathing exercises so you can be the chill, easygoing parent you always thought you were. 

There are times – for sure – that the mess is the point.

Yes, often it involves mud. Or paint. But sometimes, the ordinary mess of real life is independently funny, interesting, or otherwise important. And even though it’s annoying, I often remind myself that someday I’ll miss the mess of life with kids.

Take this photo of my husband and his glorious booty shorts, “organizing” the garage while the children sit in a pile of dirt and leaves reading dusty, cracked books:

Summer seems like a lifetime ago, doesn’t it? Even Texas fall. I met Katie for a documentary family photography session on a late September afternoon – the kind of day that you optimistically slip on jeans in the air conditioned comfort of your house, and kind of regret it by 10am. But you stick with it, because you’re a Texan and, well, it’s FALL, darnit!

Over Christmas, I had the distinct pleasure of sitting down with my whole family to sort through one of several giant boxes full of disorganized family photos from the 80s and 90s. It was an evening of laughing till we cried, making fun of my mom’s hairstyles over the years, and remembering the stories and details of years past that had all but slipped away. Follow along for the most valuable lessons I learned from this experience.