Why These Photos Mattered Most, Extended Family Session in Murfreesboro, TN

It’s easy to think about scheduling family photos when the kids are little—when they still live at home, when routines are simpler.

But as kids grow up, move out, and start building their own lives, it gets harder. Schedules are full, people live in different places, and getting everyone together takes more effort.

This session was a reminder of how important that time is. The mom told me how hard it was to coordinate everyone—and how thankful she was to have them all in one place, even just for a little while.

We met at Sinking Creek Farms in Murfreesboro on a rainy, overcast day. It wasn’t what most people would hope for weather-wise, but what stood out to me was how present she was. She was just happy to be with her family.

And yes—their two dogs came along too. Sophie wore an adorable bow and looked like she knew exactly how cute she was. Tyson rocked a green sweater and honestly stole the show in most of the photos. Including pets always makes a session feel more personal, and I love when families let their dogs just be part of it all.

We took time for all the different combinations—mom with each kid, siblings, couples, dogs, all of it. It felt simple in the best way: just people showing up because time together means something.

Here are a few of my favorites from this extended family session (and two very photogenic pups) on a cloudy afternoon in Tennessee.