the story:

Photographing the Bourlands is something that has always been meaningful to me. I’ve watched their family grow from the very beginning—taking photos of their son when he was just one year old and then later documenting their daughter’s birth. There’s a tenderness that comes with years of trust, of seeing their milestones unfold and watching these babies grow into their own little personalities. Because of that history, every session with them feels like slipping back into a story I’ve been lucky to help tell. Their kids know me, they’re comfortable with me, and that natural ease shapes the way their images look and feel—honest, warm, and full of real connection.

This session was especially memorable because it captured a new experience for them as a family. The wonder on their faces as they felt the ocean for the first time, the joy in the kids’ laughter as they chased the tide, and the quiet moments they shared together as the sun dropped lower—all of it came together in a way that felt timeless. The images hold that unmistakable feeling of summer: sandy toes, salty air, and a softness that only happens at the end of a long, happy day. Photographing this milestone was such a gift, and I know these photos will be ones they return to for years—reminders of a first adventure they’ll never forget!