Trying Somewhere New | A Spring Family Session at Valley Mill Park

One of my favorite parts of being a family photographer is getting to watch families grow over the years. I've been photographing this family for a decade. Their son recently turned 10, and I photographed his newborn session, which somehow doesn't seem possible.

This spring we decided to do something different. Instead of returning to a familiar location, we picked a place that was new for all of us: Valley Mill Park in Maryland.

It turned out to be one of those spots that makes a session easy. There was a small bridge, a stream with plenty of rocks to climb on, and enough open space for everyone to move around without feeling like they had to stand still and smile at the camera.

As a family photographer Maryland, I'm always looking for locations that give families something to do instead of just somewhere to stand.

Session Highlights

Spring mornings are hard to beat for family sessions. The light was soft, the weather cooperated, and there was plenty to explore.

The bridge quickly became a favorite backdrop, but the stream was what really made the morning fun. Kids rarely want to spend an hour posing, and they don't have to. Giving them rocks to hop across and places to explore naturally creates movement and interaction.

After photographing this family for so many years, there is already a level of comfort between us. Nobody was overthinking the session. They were up for trying new spots, letting their son lead the way a little, and seeing what happened.

Those are usually the sessions that feel the most like real family life.

Why This Worked

One question I get a lot is whether clients should always choose the same location or try somewhere new.

There isn't a right answer, but this session was a good reminder that a new location can bring fresh energy, even for families who have been doing annual photos for years.

A place like Valley Mill Park gives kids something interesting to interact with, and that takes the pressure off everyone. Parents don't have to constantly ask for smiles because the moments happen on their own.

The goal isn't perfect posing. It's creating enough space for your family to simply spend time together.

Helpful Takeaway

If you're planning a family session, don't worry about finding the most famous location.

Look for a place with a little variety:

• A walking path

• A bridge or interesting structure

• Open space to move around

• Natural features like water, rocks, or trees

Those details give us options and help create images that feel relaxed instead of forced.

And if you've been doing family photos for years, don't be afraid to mix things up. A new location might be all it takes to make your next session feel completely different.

Looking Ahead

I'm already hoping to come back to Valley Mill Park. It was a great reminder that there are still wonderful little corners of Maryland waiting to be explored.

If you're thinking about updating your family photos and want a session that feels easy, playful, and natural, I'd love to help you find the right spot.

Personality Portraits: My Son's 6th Birthday Mini Session

A few weeks after my son turned six, we finally got around to one of our family traditions: a quick birthday studio photo shoot.

And by "finally," I mean I had to wait until he was willing to participate.

He's not a fan of having his picture taken, which is probably one of the downsides of having a photographer as a mom. There are only so many times you can hear, "Not again!"

The funny part is that this is exactly why I love personality portraits.

They're not about getting the perfect smile or creating a polished school photo. They're about capturing kids as they are right now, even if that means a little skepticism, a lot of movement, or the occasional eye roll.

Personality Portraits Capture Who They Are Right Now

At six years old, my son is funny, opinionated, and not interested in spending an hour posing for photos. So we didn't.

We kept it quick, let him be himself, and worked with his personality instead of against it.

The result was a collection of images that actually feel like him.

Some serious.
Some silly.
Some that clearly say, "Okay, Mom, are we done yet?"

I know that in a few years I'll look back at these photos and remember exactly who he was during this stage of childhood.

Why I Started This Birthday Tradition

A few years ago, I decided that each of my kids would get a mini studio session around their birthday.

Not a big production.
Not a family session.
Just a few minutes dedicated to documenting them.

Kids change so quickly. Their smiles change, their expressions change, and even the things that make them laugh are different from one year to the next.

Having these annual personality portraits gives us a way to hold onto those little details before they disappear.

Even the phases where they don't want their picture taken.

Especially those phases.

PS- yes, that is actually a camera made out of legos!*

You Don't Need a Child Who Loves the Camera

One of the biggest misconceptions about studio portraits is that kids need to be naturally outgoing or willing to perform.

They don't.

Some of my favorite sessions are with quiet kids, shy kids, and kids who would rather be outside climbing a tree.

A personality portrait session isn't about forcing a child into a version of themselves that doesn't exist. It's about creating enough space for their real personality to show up.

Sometimes that happens through a huge laugh.

Sometimes it happens through a thoughtful expression.

Sometimes it happens because they're humoring their photographer mom for five minutes.

The Best Photos Usually Happen When We Stop Forcing Them

My son's birthday session was short, simple, and probably not something he would call fun.

But he smiled a little.
He made a few goofy faces.
He gave me some classic six-year-old expressions that I'll probably miss someday.

That's all I wanted.

If you've been thinking about updating photos of your kids but worry they won't cooperate, personality portraits might be exactly what you're looking for.

No matching outfits required.
No pressure for perfect behavior.
Just a chance to capture who they are right now, because next year they'll be someone a little different.

*affiliate link

Maryland Senior Photographer: Otto's Senior Photos at Sligo Creek

Now a Maryland Senior Photographer

Senior sessions have quickly become some of my favorite shoots, and Otto's session at Sligo Creek was another reminder of why.

Apparently now I have assumed the role of Maryland Senior Photographer, and I’m kind of loving it.

We met in the green space behind their home near Sligo Creek, Maryland, which turned out to be the perfect setting. Having a location that already felt familiar to them made the entire session relaxed from the start. Instead of spending time getting comfortable in a new place, we were able to jump right into exploring, talking, and creating images that felt natural.

The best part? Otto showed up completely as themselves.

They had their own style, knew what they liked, and didn't feel the need to fit into anyone else's idea of what senior photos should look like. That confidence made every part of the session easier and more fun.

Session Highlights

Sligo Creek gave us a little bit of everything. The trails, trees, and open spaces created a simple backdrop that kept the focus where it belonged: on Otto.

One of the things I noticed right away was how willing they were to have fun with the process. We spent a lot of the session laughing, talking, and trying different spots along the trail. Those moments between poses ended up creating some of my favorite images.

The natural smiles came easily because nothing felt forced. Instead of worrying about getting everything perfect, Otto stayed present and leaned into the experience. That approach always translates beautifully in photographs.

The combination of their personal style, the familiar location, and a relaxed attitude created images that feel genuine and unmistakably them. This Maryland senior photography thing is a lot more fun than I realized!

Why This Worked

One reason this session worked so well was the location choice.

When seniors choose a place that already has meaning to them, the photographs often feel more personal. Whether it's a favorite park, a neighborhood trail, or somewhere they spend time regularly, familiarity helps people relax.

Another reason was that Otto trusted the process. They weren't trying to perform for the camera. They showed up, had fun, and let their personality come through naturally.

That's usually when the strongest portraits happen.

Helpful Takeaway for Future Maryland Senior Photography Sessions

If you're planning senior photos, don't worry about finding the most dramatic location possible.

Start by thinking about places that actually feel like you.

A meaningful location, comfortable clothing, and a willingness to have fun often create stronger images than any elaborate setup. The goal isn't to look like someone else. The goal is to create photographs that feel authentic to who you are right now.

Otto's session was a perfect example of that.

Final Thoughts

I had such a great time photographing Otto at Sligo Creek. Between the laughter, the relaxed atmosphere, and their confidence in being themselves, everything came together naturally.

Senior year is a big milestone, and sessions like this are a great reminder that the best photos often come from simply showing up as yourself and enjoying the experience.