Easy ≠ hands-off


A few years ago, I showed up for what I thought would be a relaxed sunset session with a woman and her dog.


She had told me she wanted “just a few photos” of her Golden Retriever, Charlie, at her family’s ranch. Easy enough, right?


So imagine my surprise when I pulled up and saw…


🐴 A beautiful (but slightly wild-eyed) chestnut mare being tacked up

🐕 Charlie plus two other dogs zooming around the pasture

👩‍👧‍👦 Her two kids, dressed to match, running barefoot through the grass


…wait a minute. This wasn’t just a quick dog session. This was a full-on family + horse + dog session!

Now, don’t get me wrong—the evening was filled with laughter, tail wags, and sweet moments. But had I known ahead of time that the session would involve kids, multiple dogs, and a horse that didn’t love standing still, I could’ve helped them so much more.


I could’ve…

📍 Suggested a better time of day for calmer animals and softer light.

🐴 Recommended a pre-session workout for the horse (less energy = better standing still).

🐶 Brought an extra pair of hands and high-value treats to keep the dogs engaged.


The photos turned out beautiful, but I walked away from that session realizing that winging it doesn’t work when you’re dealing with multiple subjects and unpredictable moments.

Modern living room interior with framed dog portrait, dark gray couch pillows, and dried flowers in white vase by window.

To this day, I'm all for keeping things easy. But I do a lot more communicating and directing… and if you have any questions - no matter how small - I'm happy to jump on a call or text back and forth. 


Better communication means you know exactly what to expect (and so do I), which results in better photos and happier clients.


And here’s the best part: You won’t have to sort through hundreds of images or wonder what to do with them after. I carefully curate the best moments—the ones that tell your story—and help you envision them in your home. Because your memories deserve to live on your walls, not just on a hard drive.


If you’re thinking about booking a session this spring, let’s chat! Whether it’s just you and your dog or a special equine portrait, I’d love to help you plan it.