Scene: Wood Pile
Family: Brad & Kate, Luca
Time of day: Afternoon
Season: Fall
Atmosphere: Close-knit and happy
On this land, life is simple. It’s by no means easy, but God’s glory is greater than our struggles—and few people I know embody that belief more clearly than Nate. For him, holding a camera in his hands for the benefit of other families is a privilege, a responsibility, and a great joy. Both intuitive and calculated in his picture-taking, he instinctively highlights each family’s natural charm.
In October of 2021, Brad and Kate made use of the gorgeous acreage we call home for their fall portraits. When she reserved her family’s fall session at the wood pile, Kate told us that between having their first child during the pandemic and relocating from out of state, they missed out on having a newborn session for their sweet Luca.
In short, they were longing for a nice portrait of their family, and one to highlight the growth of their littlest one. Challenge accepted.
Family Portraits at the Wood Pile
Nate and I spend the vast majority of each session engaging with families in ongoing conversation, which lends itself to a feeling of natural and candid portraits. (Isn’t that what we all want for our families?) Somewhere in the middle of the session, when conversation has loosened us all up a bit, we gather everyone for a group portrait, and then highlight the little ones in some way.
Shortly after Brad and Kate’s arrival, we spread their favorite blanket on the ground a few feet in front of the wood pile and encouraged them to snuggle. The chill in the air prompted them to quickly settle in, though whether they were most warmed by each other’s nearness or the cuteness of Luca’s baby cheeks, we’ll never know.
Attitudes & Outfits
Of all of the families we welcomed to the Eagle Ridge acreage for fall mini sessions, Brad and Kate were the most comfortable. From the initial moments of unloading the car and changing Luca into his handsome outfit to the final moments holding Luca on top of the wood pile, Brad and Kate were unendingly amiable and conversational.
Brad stepped out of the car smartly dressed. As we’d soon learn, his kindness toward his wife and son are a hallmark of his personality. He was quick to nuzzle Luca and wrap an arm around his wife, to steady Luca on the wood pile and draw in Kate for a kiss.
Alongside her husband, Kate illustrated the meaning of grace upon grace. At once lovely and inviting, if she was ever uneasy about the portrait experience, we never knew it by her expressions. She returned Brad’s hugs, encouraged Luca to walk, and joined us in conversation without hesitation.
Together, Brad and Kate were the epitome of a welcoming family (and here I’d thought that was our job). Their warm willingness to answer questions and toss a few back to us while they snuggled in front of the wood pile made the time pass more quickly than usual—and had us all sighing in disappointment when their session ended. We’d even delayed the end because we were having so much fun! Nate and I enjoyed their company for a too-short half-hour, and to this day enjoy looking at their portraits simply for the memory of their cheerful session. (Okay, we love the texture of the wood pile, too.)
Photographer’s Favorite
At nearly one year old, Luca was more interested in moving than in sitting still. Yes, he humored us for a few minutes by sitting alone on the blanket, but the grasses and pine needles near the wood pile were far more interesting to him and we were hard-pressed to keep him on the blanket for long.
Wood Pile Highlights: Portraits on the Wall
Of all the ways to enjoy portraits—especially those with a unique background texture, like the wood pile—we love wall galleries the most. There’s little that compares to the spark of joy we feel as we walk through our own living room and see the beautiful faces of our sweet kids, again and again and again.
Wondering about art on your wall? The effort it requires of you, little as that is at Eagle Ridge Photography & Design, will be forever worth it.
Stuck on the gallery design process? Here are two arrangements we love.
