Some sessions remind me why I love photographing families so much — not because everything is perfect, but because everyone shows up wanting to be together. That’s exactly what happened with Angela and her crew.
Angela is warm, sweet, and the kind of grandmother who loves hard and loves proudly. She had extended family photos done last year and absolutely cherished having those memories. This time, she wanted something a little different — photos with just her sons, their partners, and her grandbabies — something to mark this moment in their growing story.
She has two sons, Kris and Kory. Kory is married to my cousin and he’s the kind of guy I would want for a cousin I adore. Jazzy is quiet and sweet, and Bailey — who also happens to be my cousin — is the definition of down-to-earth. She’s the kind of person who settles a room simply by being in it.
Of course, scheduling was the real beast here.
Kris doesn’t get his daughter until Sunday afternoon, and they’re a football family — and I mean nothing comes between them and a game. And if you’ve lived in Phoenix long enough, you know “fall photos” are basically a myth. The one spot I found with fall colors was next to a post office in January, and even those leaves feel like they’re on borrowed time.
So… we got creative. And honestly? It was perfect.
We locked in a 1pm session — the one and only time that worked between picking up his daughter and kickoff. If you’re a photographer, you know 1pm outdoors is a shadow nightmare. But this is the part I love most: when you think outside the box instead of fighting against reality.
I suggested we move to a studio and bring fall indoors.
I set up my fall backdrop (the same one I use for farmers markets), and the studio had four Christmas scenes ready to go — a turquoise room-style backdrop, a pink sparkle city street, and a red-and-white room filled with pillows. We moved smoothly between all of them, plus the clean white brick wall with a brown couch for timeless, year-round portraits.
And it worked. It worked beautifully.
Little Mia stole the show on the pink sparkle backdrop — it fit her sweet, bright personality like it was made for her. Nash, at a year and a half, is all the things a toddler should be — obsessed with planes, cars, and anything that moves. He toddled through the sets with pure joy, the way only a small kid can.
Watching Angela with her family reminded me of something deep in my own heart — that someday, I might be a grandma too. And I want to lean all the way into that season when it comes. There’s something epic about capturing a grandmother with her children and grandchildren all in one frame. It felt like a milestone, a tiny achievement of love spanning three generations.
.
There was no stress. No drama. No morning battles. Just everyone showing up, being together, and letting themselves enjoy the moment… even if it was at 1pm in the middle of Phoenix on a football Sunday.
And that’s the part I hope they remember when they look back at these photos — that Angela is surrounded by love, that the kids were happy, that the family felt connected, and that for one afternoon, life slowed down long enough for them to capture what really matters.
When families worry about timing or schedules or the “perfect” location, I say:
I’ll do everything in my power to make your vision happen — even if that means booking a studio, lugging a fall backdrop across town at 1pm, and getting you out the door in time for kickoff.
Because family is worth it. These moments are worth it.
And they don’t come back.
Need seasonal family photos but don’t want to battle the heat, the sun, or the chaos of Arizona “seasons”?
Let’s get creative and make it happen — studio sessions are available year-round.
📸 Book your session here: www.kimvanosphotography.com
