Generations on the Farm: The Mercer Family Session in West Point, KY

There’s something special about photographing a family you’ve known for years... the kind of comfort that only comes with time. The Mercer family has been in front of my camera before (more than once!), and every time it feels like picking right back up where we left off. So, when they invited me out to their family farm for an extended session, I couldn’t wait to catch up and capture all the new memories being made.

This time, I had a little extra help.... my son came along as my "assistant" and behind-the-scenes pro for the day. He grabbed candids and video clips while I focused on wrangling everyone together between laughs, dogs, and the crisp Kentucky fall air. There’s nothing better than mixing a little family teamwork into a family session.

We joked from the start about one of the notes Krystle had written in their questionnaire: “Don’t go on the silo, even if Gary suggests it.” I told them it was officially written into my contract! That became a running joke throughout the afternoon, and it set the tone perfectly... lighthearted and fun, just like the Mercers themselves.

Brock and Annabella, the twins, had me laughing the whole time. Can we say double the fun?!?

This family, well, they are not exactly a “huggy” bunch...and honestly, I’m not either ... so instead of forcing those moments, we leaned into

what felt natural: genuine smiles, movement, and real connection. The result? Photos that feel like them.

One of my favorite setups of the day was having the family matriarch and patriarch, Tommy and Teresa, stand together in the middle while everyone else walked around them. I wanted to create motion , that sense of life and energy swirling around the two people who started it all.

The blur, the laughter, the spontaneity ... it was everything I love about photographing families.

By the end of the session, one of the youngest kiddos had his pants completely covered in dirt, the dogs had made several appearances,

and everyone was ready to warm up...but we ended the evening with full hearts.

The light, the land, and that perfect tree nook framing the family’s silo made it feel like everything fell right into place.

Sessions like this remind me exactly why I love what I do ...storytelling through the lens.