You can’t blame me for not dreaming about this darling Cedar Rapids homestead family session can you? The Wiggins reached out to me to photograph their young family at their home featuring chickens and an impressive garden. I didn’t need any convincing – hello homestead family session of my dreams! Nestled just outside of the Cedar Rapids and Marion area, their home is like an oasis in the country – plenty of room to roam, play, and be free. Our time was magical and exactly what I love in a family session: interactive, genuine, and child-led. We didn’t force anything and followed the direction of the kids. While I guided the family on actions to take, I let them have their moments and served as a fly on the wall to capture these images. My purpose was to watch how they naturally interact with each other and document them honestly. Doing so gives them the freedom to be present, not worrying so much on how they look. 

We started our time in the beautiful, lush garden picking flowers for vases. The real excitement came when we visited their hundreds of chickens, all of which have a name. The kids fed them bread and bananas and were cheesin’ big time when they held their favorite friends. It was so fun to watch the childhood excitement about normal, everyday life for them. We ventured out to their open backyard for more pictures where they once again picked flowers for mom and dad. One moment I told the kids I had a secret for them. I quietly asked them to run up to mom and dad for a surprise hug. They eagerly jumped on board to give mommy and daddy the biggest hugs. You can see how much they love their parents. 

I love this kind of lifestyle session, where the activity is catered to what you and your family love to do. And it documents a season of life that you’ll always appreciate for years to come. For the Wiggins, the life of a young family is fleeting and it was important to have the photoshoot in a place that they built together. Literally, they spent many hours and resources building the garden and chicken coop, not to mention the hundreds of chickens they’ve raised together. 

What Does this Mean for You?

This homestead family session in Cedar Rapids not only shows how unique an in-home family session can be, but also demonstrates the beauty that can be found where we live. Consider this: what are things your family loves to do together at home? Do you make pizza every Friday night? Do you camp in your backyard? Love making pancakes in the morning? Do you work on a family farm? These are all things you can incorporate in your next family session that signifies what your heart treasures. Send me a message if this is your vibe – I’d love to work with you!