Every year, I get the absolute joy of photographing the Chappell family, and every year I walk away thinking the same thing: how does time move this fast? As a Salmon Idaho Photographer, watching families grow right in front of my lens is one of the biggest blessings of my job and this sweet crew proves that year after year.

Kayla and Brandan have four incredible kids, and somehow they seem to grow by an entire foot between each session. I swear every time they step out of the car, I do a double take. How are they this big already? But the best part? No matter how much they grow, the fun stays exactly the same. Their sessions are always filled with laughter, genuine smiles, and the kind of chaos that makes family photos feel real and alive.

This year, we went somewhere new and I think it might have been the perfect choice. The fall colors were rich and warm, wrapping the whole session in that golden, cozy glow that East Idaho photographers dream about. And of course, Kayla showed up with her signature magic: everyone perfectly matched, blended, and coordinated without trying too hard. She just has that effortless talent for choosing outfits that compliment both the season and the location.

As an Idaho Family Photographer, I love these sessions not only because they’re beautiful, but because they remind me why capturing families matters. Looking back at old galleries… wow. We’ve done so many together. I even found one of the “oldies” where little Colston was just a baby, and now look at him. Time is wild, and photographs truly hold pieces of life we can’t get back.

What I adore most about the Chappells is how much fun we have. The laughter is real. The kids actually smile. They come ready to play, to explore, to be themselves which makes their individual portraits shine every single year. Look at them, they all look so grown up and so good!

Kayla and Brandan, thank you for trusting me year after year. Thank you for walking beside me as the seasons of your family shift and grow. It means more than you know. And to every parent reading this, don’t blink. These chapters pass faster than you think, and I’m honored every time I get to freeze them in a photograph.