This is my very first blog post, which feels a little strange to say out loud.

I’ve wanted a space like this for a while, somewhere I can write the longer stories, the thoughts that don’t quite fit into an Instagram caption. On my 2026 bingo card, I wrote down start a blog, and this feels like the right way to begin.

Some sessions stay with you long after you pack up your camera. This was one of them. Jesse and Kal brought their two pups, Lucy and Bailey, along for their session at McConnell Lake - a place that holds a lot of meaning for me personally, since it’s where my husband and I had our very first date. It always feels extra special to return there to document a love story that included not just two people, but two very loved dogs.

Lucy is an older lady and Jesse and Kal wanted to make sure they had photos with her...real, joyful moments they could hold onto forever. Sessions like this are such an important reminder that our dogs are family. They’re there for the quiet days, the big life changes, and everything in between.

We started off wandering through the woods, letting the dogs explore while we captured candid moment; sticks being thrown, tails wagging, and plenty of puppy kisses sneaking their way into photos. As golden hour approached, we made our way onto the frozen lake, where the light softened and everything felt calm and still. Lucy and Bailey played, Jesse & Kal snuggled in close, and the pups soaked up every bit of love from their humans.

Couple sessions like these are so special, and I think people don’t always take advantage of them before their families grow and change. Life moves fast - new chapters, new responsibilities...and sometimes we don’t realize how meaningful these moments are until they’ve passed.

This session was especially close to my heart because we lost our dog Luna in September. I wish I had more photos with her and more moments frozen in time that I could look back on now. Our pets give us so much love, and they deserve to be remembered with the same care and intention.

Jesse, Kal, Lucy, and Bailey reminded me why I do this — why I keep showing up with a camera and why I care so deeply. This story felt like the right one to start with. And I’m really glad it gets to live here.


Thanks for being here,

Stephanie