There’s something incredibly special about photographing a family during their very first professional session. As a Salmon Idaho Photographer, I get to witness these once-in-a-lifetime milestones, and the Shefts family quickly became one of those sessions I’ll never forget.

Carson and Tiana arrived with their sweet boy, Zander, curious, observant, and growing far too quickly, as all kids do. Carson was the one who booked the session, knowing deep down that it was time. Time to pause. Time to document their life exactly as it is right now. Time to create something they can look back on years from now when Zander’s growing hands and big smiles feel like a distant memory.

For their Idaho family photos, we were gifted the most unreal fall evening. The mountains glowed with warm golden light, the kind that wraps around a family like a hug. The Shefts stepped in front of my camera for their first official family photo session, and even though it can feel intimidating, they truly handled it with grace, humor, and trust.

Zander kept me laughing the entire time. He questioned some of my ideas, rightfully so, since posing can sometimes feel a little silly, but those silly prompts ended up giving us some of my favorite smiles of the whole evening. Carson and Tiana followed along with every direction, letting me guide them across the field as autumn wrapped around us.

One of my favorite parts of every family session is taking a quiet moment for just Mom and Dad. It’s incredible how many couples tell me, “We haven’t taken photos together since our wedding.” Life moves fast. Kids grow fast. Marriage settles into routines and moments can blur together. So giving parents space to breathe, reconnect, and just be together is one of the sweetest parts of my job.

Their connection, their tenderness, and the way they look at each other, it reminded me exactly why capturing these chapters matters so much.

The Shefts family showed up beautifully, loved openly, and trusted me fully. And together, we created memories that will last far beyond a season.