There’s something extra special about photographing families I see every single year especially when I’ve known the parents for more than 20 years. Watching their family grow, watching the kids’ personalities blossom, and seeing the changes from season to season is truly one of the greatest parts of being a Salmon Idaho Photographer. And the Orr family? They always bring a kind of energy and joy that makes their sessions unforgettable.

This year, Ryan and Tiffanie brought their trio, Jack, Jemma, and Thomas, back to one of my favorite fall locations in Salmon. We’ve used this spot before, but something about the warm golden light, the cooler air, and the way everyone fell into their rhythm made this session my favorite one yet. As an East Idaho Photographer, perfect fall lighting is something I’m always chasing, and this time, we struck gold… literally.

Each of the kids has such a distinct personality. Jack brings the humor, Jemma brings just the right amount of sass, and Thomas brings the spark. And even though every single year they show up pretending they don’t want family photos, they always end up having the best time. It’s become a tradition at this point, they protest, they play, they laugh, and they leave asking when they get to see the pictures.

And then, of course, there was Ruby.

Ruby, the family dog, was the star of the entire session. She rolled in the leaves, splashed in the water, and proudly inserted herself into nearly every frame like she had booked the session herself. The kids couldn’t stop laughing, chasing her, or letting her sneak in for cuddles. Honestly, she added the perfect dose of chaos and joy, the kind of real, unfiltered moments that make family photos so meaningful.

Now let’s talk about Ryan, because every family photographer knows there is always one member who is less than thrilled about photo day. And for the Orrs, that person is lovingly and consistently Ryan. It’s not his favorite activity, but he shows up every year because these memories matter. And every session, I see him relax a little more, laugh a little easier, and break out of that camera-shy shell.

Working with the Orr family over the years has taught me one vital thing: perfection isn’t what makes family sessions magical. Real life does. The moving, the distracting, the laughing, the tiny bribes, the dog diving into water mid-shot, that is what turns into the photos you treasure.

I’ve learned how to move quickly with this crew, keeping the kids engaged, keeping Ryan from noticing the camera, and capturing beautiful images before anyone has time to think twice. And somehow, in all the wildness, we end up with the most heartfelt moments. A hand on a shoulder. A spontaneous hug. A scrunched-up giggle. A family simply being themselves.

And that’s the thing about family photos: they don’t have to feel perfect to be perfect.

The Orrs remind me of that every single year.