Family on the Ranch
I’m so privileged to have done this exhilarating family shoot!
The Hamilton Family. #FamilyPhotography
Location: Triple J Ranch Events, Kirtland NM (Just West of Farmington NM)
First thing’s first. This was a HUGE growth experience for me. It really stretched me as a photographer and got me to step outside of my comfort zone. Let me also start by saying: this venue is GORGEOUS. And this family’s energy was AMAZING!
But in the beginning, I wasn’t so sure how it was all going to work out…
When Diana contacted me, I had no clue about the location. This is a very unusual time, and a lot of places are closed. Also, a lot of the go-to spots in our area are getting really played out. Regardless, we went ahead and booked the appointment without a location in place.
Cue my anxiety!
I was wracking my brain. I didn’t want to let this family down. Then Diana reached out to ask what I thought about this new location she’d discovered. I had never heard of it, but i always like to try something different. You know the phrase, “Leap and the net will appear”? Yeah, well, I was beginning to hope it was true.
And things were about to get a LOT more interesting…
I get to the location, and it’s brilliant. There’s so much possibility and potential: a barn, a pond, a tree swing. My mind was doing somersaults thinking about all the phenomenal shots we could capture.
Then I met the family.
First off, their energy was awesome. This group is the very definition of close knit. The way they interacted with each other was beautiful. Honestly, they’re a photographer’s dream: nothing forced, nothing stiff, nothing awkward. All I had to do was stand back and capture the moment.
And then things got even better!
Turns out, I went to high school with Diana’s husband! I love stuff like that - the little things that make a moment or a day memorable and exceptional.
But I’m not going to lie - I was still a little nervous. I didn’t want to miss an opportunity to make great use of this unique location. My mind was spinning with so many ideas and questions that I felt a little overwhelmed.
But the anxiety passed, and I entered into what a lot of people call “flow state.” It’s that place where you’re firing on all cylinders. The ideas come clear and fast. Everything comes together, and time flies. Before we knew it, we’d been shooting for THREE HOURS!
We captured so many amazing moments. And honestly, I was just happy to get to spend the day with this genuine, warm family. Seeing how they engaged with one another reminded me what’s essential in life and brought me a lot of joy. Family really is one of God’s greatest blessings!
This shoot reminded me that fear is often a necessary part of the process.
The thing about fear is this: it’s not always an indicator that we’re in danger. Usually, it’s just the price we pay for stepping out of our comfort zone. Although I was anxious and uncertain at the start, the end result is an awesome reminder of what lies on the other side of our fear.
I hope you get as many smiles out of these photos as I did!