Some family sessions are beautiful. And then there are the ones that mean something. This vintage boat family session will be a forever favorite of mine.

I’ve photographed Arthur and Gabi’s family at least a dozen times over the years, which officially makes them one of my legacy families. I’ve had the privilege of watching their family grow, documenting different seasons, and getting to know their two beautiful little girls along the way.

But this session felt especially personal. We met in St. Joseph on Lake Michigan and spent the evening on Arthur’s dad’s vintage boat. And yes, the boat is absolutely beautiful. However, what made it special had very little to do with how it looked. Arthur’s dad has passed away, and this boat is one of the ways their family stays connected to him. It carries memories of the past while still being part of the memories they’re making now with their own girls.

That’s the kind of thing I love about family photography. It’s not always about finding the prettiest location or creating the most perfectly styled session. Sometimes the most meaningful place is the one that already holds a piece of your family’s story.

The boat.
The lake.
The little girls growing up.
The memories of a dad and grandfather who is still very much a part of their family.

Getting to photograph all of that felt like such a gift.

After photographing this family so many times, I think that’s one of my favorite parts of what I do: getting invited back again and again as life changes. I get to watch families grow, relationships deepen, and traditions continue. And sometimes, I get to photograph the things that help a family remember where they came from while they’re creating what comes next. Those are the sessions I’ll never take for granted.