I follow #lifestylefamilyphotography just to know what its even about these days.  To me, its going where a family goes and documenting what a family does.  About 35% of the time that’s what I see tagged and its amazing.  The extaordinary ordinary revealed.

The other 65% feels…different.  Often I see a momma in a flowing dress – looking 100% goddess – with her family in a field of tall grass.  There’s usually some lens flare and a really warm filter and its visually stunning.

I just don’t know very many families that hang out in flowing dresses and tall grass fields.  Maybe its the ticks, maybe its the itchiness of tall grass, maybe its the latest Stephen King mini-series but its not something we do on a Saturday, anyway.  “Oh, should we hit the grass field real quick after dinner?  Hang on, let me get my goddess dress on!”

I choose local parks for mini shoots because I figure its someplace you are likely to be together on a crisp fall day.  I also wonder if the personalities of people pop out a little more when the setting is more ordinary and they aren’t competing with a backdrop of wildflowers.   It may not look as idyllic but it feels genuinely happy.

Not to say that Lubber Run is in any way shabby – its a delightful park with a trail that follows a creek.  The canopy of trees is so thick it can be drizzling but you don’t feel the rain – you can only hear it falling into the leaves above.

These photos are from last year’s photo day but I pushed back the 2019 even to try and get more fall color.  If you live nearby and are seeking portraits with your family this year, we’ll be getting together there on Saturday, November 9th – give me a shout.  I only have three sessions left on this particular day so holler soon!  You can reach me through the site or IG @melzwphotog