For as long as I can remember, people in the photography world have been saying one thing over and over again: “You need a niche.” Supposedly, to be truly successful, you have to specialize in just one area — weddings, newborns, seniors, branding, commercial, landscapes, etc — and build your entire business around that.

For years, I pushed back on that idea. I love photography in all its forms. Why should I have to choose just one subject when there’s beauty everywhere I look? I’ve always prided myself on being versatile — whether it’s capturing the tiny details of a newborn’s first days, the joy of a newly engaged couple, or the magic of a sunset family session. And honestly, I think I do a pretty darn good job at all of it!

But lately, something has been shifting for me. The more I reflect on the sessions that truly light me up, the ones that make me feel something deep down — I’ve realized there’s a clear pattern. My heart feels the fullest when I’m photographing extended families.

There’s just something incredibly special about having multiple generations come together for a portrait session. Grandparents surrounded by their children and grandchildren, siblings laughing as they reconnect, cousins running wild while getting to be outside and enjoying feeling safe with family all around.

In those moments, I can feel the importance of what I’m capturing. These aren’t just pictures — they’re pieces of family history. Years from now, someone will look back at that photo and see loved ones who may no longer be here, or remember a time when everyone was together in one place. That thought warms my heart every time.

So while I still love the variety that photography offers, I think I’ve found where my heart truly belongs. Extended family portraits allow me to combine everything I love about photography: connection, emotion, storytelling, and legacy.

I don’t know if I’ll ever stop photographing other things — I doubt I could — but I do know this: when I have a big, beautiful, laughter-filled family in front of my lens, I feel completely in my element.

Because at the end of the day, family is everything — and getting to document that? It’s the greatest gift of all.

Thank you to the Williams family for allowing me to spend a beautiful Sunday morning with them at Loose Park in the Rose Garden.