Sweet cousins, snack breaks, and a little lifestyle magic
This session is near and dear to my heart because it wasn’t just any family — it was my family. The Delahunts are a special crew to me. Melanie (who I’ve called “Mel” since we were little) is my first cousin and one of my forever people. We grew up together only a year apart, more like sisters than cousins — hence the term “sister cousins” that we still use today. So when she asked me to photograph her family, it felt like such an honor.
We had a cloudy day with just a few sprinkles, but honestly, that soft overcast sky worked like nature’s perfect softbox. The light was dreamy, and the whole session felt effortless — even with a few snack breaks and some Smarties bribes (okay, a lot of Smarties bribes) to keep little Ava smiling.
Her husband, Kyle, and big brother Marcus were all in and made the session so fun. I loved capturing them playing on the backyard playset that Kyle built with his own two hands — talk about a labor of love. And we couldn’t skip the garden! Melanie’s been growing blackberries, so we wrapped up the session with some sweet, earthy moments among the vines.
Their front porch was the perfect cozy spot to snap a few candid moments before we hopped in the car and drove a bit down the road to a charming old building in the country. It added such a unique vibe and gave us a chance to mix in some more rustic shots.
Before we started, I helped Mel style their looks — keeping things simple, classic, and comfortable. The result? Outfits that felt natural and real, like they were just hanging out at home on a laid-back weekend afternoon. That’s exactly the vibe we went for — and I think we nailed it.
This session reminded me how much I love lifestyle-inspired shoots. Unscripted, connected, and full of real-life love. I left with a full heart and a memory card full of new favorites.
Delahunts, thank you for trusting me. I’ll treasure this one forever.
— Tara
