There are certain families who become more than clients, they become part of your story. For me, that’s the Aldous family. Danielle has been in front of my camera since she was expecting little Toryn, long before life got busier, fuller, and more beautiful for her and Tyler.

I still remember that maternity session like it was yesterday. We wandered around the Sacajawea Center while Danielle floated across the field in a black dress and heels, yes, heels. Pregnant, glowing, absolutely a diva in the best way. I even brought her boujee FIJI water because the vibe demanded nothing less. 

And of course, Jordan was there, the sister, the hype girl, the hair fixer, the “whatever it takes to help” girlie. She ran behind me with toys, made noises, jumped, danced, and waved her arms like she was trying to land a plane. Anything to get the boys smiling. Truly, it takes a village, and ours has always been a fun one.

Fast forward to today, and life looks different for the Aldous crew, fuller, richer, more rooted. Tyler and Danielle now have two sweet boys, Toryn and Reese, and this year’s session came with something extra special: a brand-new chapter in a new home.

And not just any home.

A dream home.
A place they’ve envisioned for years.
A place that came together in that odd, perfect “only meant-to-be things happen like this” kind of way.

Their new homestead is everything an Idaho family dreams of, wide-open land, privacy, space for the kids to roam, a yard for their pups, a greenhouse, trees to climb, a creek for endless adventures, and mountain views that make you stop for just a moment and breathe deeper. As an East Idaho Photographer, capturing families in locations that mean something to them always brings a different kind of magic. This year, their magic was unmistakable.

What I love most about photographing the Aldous family is how they lean into who they are. Every year, Danielle tells me she wants moody — and every year, we find the perfect backdrop. She gravitates toward the Carmen area, and honestly, I love that for her. When you choose what you love and what feels like “you,” the photos become so much more than pictures. They become truth. They become home. They become your story.

And this session?
This was the chapter titled “We made it.”

Seeing Danielle walk around her property, smiling at the boys exploring their creek,  seeing Tyler taking in the space he built for his family, seeing the comfort, the gratitude, the quiet joy, it made this year’s session feel different. Fuller. Softer. Sweeter.

I enjoy every session I have with the Aldous family, but this one hit my heart a little deeper. Watching families grow is one of the greatest honors of being a Salmon Idaho Photographer. Watching them grow into the future they prayed for, that’s something I’ll never stop appreciating.

Here’s to dream homes, moody light, muddy boots, wild boys, and the people who make every chapter worth documenting.