The Howards | Ledges State Park Family Photos
madrid, ia
This family session was maybe the MOST FUN I’ve ever had behind the camera — and yes, it probably helped that I was photographing my brother, sister-in-law, and my nieces and nephew. But more than that, it reminded me why family photos matter so much, especially in seasons that feel loud, busy, and overwhelming.
Kyle and Jodi have been married for ten years, and they’re raising three of the most beautiful, curious, energetic kids I know. Their home is full in every sense of the word — full of movement, laughter, chaos, tenderness, and so much love. It’s the kind of fullness that feels ordinary and even mundane when you’re living it every day, but incredibly meaningful when you're able to pause long enough to appreciate it.
That’s one of the biggest reasons I believe so deeply in taking family photos.
why family photos matter
Family photos aren’t about everyone smiling perfectly at the camera. They aren’t about outfits being just right or kids behaving exactly as planned (because let's be real, that rarely happens with littles) . They’re about preserving a season, about capturing a specific moment in time for your family — the way life looks and feels right now, before it changes again (because it always does).
I've heard it said so many times, "the days are long but the years are short"... and I think that's especially true in seasons with littles. They change so fast. Personalities shift. Seasons come and go, without much warning. Family photos provide a means of slowing down just long enough to be grateful for where you and your kids are today, for the people you are today... because tomorrow it will probably change again. It's a way of remembering that this season matters.
And for the record, I've always found that the very best family photos happen not when everyone is perfectly still or posed, but when everyone is moving and having fun together. The candid shots tell the truest story about your family, which is exactly what happened with the Howards.
Capturing Who Your Kids Are Right Now
Zeke is five and has the kind of energy that fills a room instantly. He’s all in on sports — especially football — and his coordination and enthusiasm are impressive for such a little guy. He loves his sisters fiercely, and watching him bounce between being a playful kid and a protective big brother is something I know Kyle and Jodi will one day miss more than they realize.
Naomi, at three, is ALL tenderness and love. She’s a nurturer through and through — always wanting to help, always aware of how others are feeling. Her compassion shows up in the smallest ways, and her laugh is the kind that pulls you into the moment whether you’re ready or not.
And Lois, at one and a half, is firmly in her mama’s-girl era. Once she decides you’re safe, though, you’re in. Her smile is soft and genuine, and her snuggles are the kind that make you wish you could stay there forever.
These aren’t just details — they’re pieces of who these kids are right now. Family photos hold space for those details in a way memory alone can’t.
Family Photos as a Gift to Your Future Self
One day, these images won’t just belong to Kyle and Jodi. They’ll belong to their kids too. They’ll be tangible proof of how deeply they were loved, of the unique personalities they were developing, of the joy their family shared together.
Family photos become more valuable with time. What feels like a simple session now becomes a tangible reminder later — of laughter, of connection, and of the uniquely beautiful seasons we walk through together.
three cheers for the howards!
Kyle and Jodi are mentors and examples to my husband and me in so many ways. Our annual Labor Day trips to Iowa have become something I genuinely look forward to — filled with long conversations, game nights, laughter, cinnamon rolls the size of our heads, and so much joy.
Thank you for welcoming us so fully, for your laughter, your hospitality, and your love. Getting to photograph your family is gift. And this season is worth celebrating and remembering.
