A Walk in the Woods



The Snipes Family wanted to create meaningful family portraits this year, and I was lucky enough to be the one to capture them. Mrs. Snipes had her heart set on a pasture, so I spent an entire weekend scouting Santa Rosa County for just the right spot—something with a white picket fence, accessible for both a family with children and a photographer. Unfortunately, the pastures I found were either right along busy roads (not the safest for little ones) or required a per-person fee at local farms. In the end, we decided to take a different approach and stay closer to home in Milton, Florida.


We began our session along the Blackwater Trail, at one of my favorite hidden spots tucked deep in the woods. There’s a small creek there where the sunlight filters through the trees, creating the most beautiful glow. The shade was such a blessing on this particular day—this summer has been one of the hottest and most humid I can remember, and both the family and I were grateful for a little relief from the heat.


Some of my favorite portraits from the session came from this woodland setting. While many families naturally choose the beach (and who can blame them, with our gorgeous Gulf Coast waters?), I love the look of tall green trees framing a family portrait. It creates such a timeless, natural backdrop that feels cozy and alive.


From there, we moved to a nearby pasture where the family gathered together on the grass near the riverfront. Then, we finished up at the Milton Riverwalk, capturing more moments right along the water. Each location offered something unique: the woods gave us shade and serenity, the pasture provided openness and warmth, and the riverfront added a sense of calm beauty.


What made this shoot truly special, though, was the Snipes Family themselves. With children ranging from ages 3 to 14, there was so much energy, laughter, and love between them. Each background brought out a different side of their personalities, and together it created a beautiful variety of images to treasure.


For me, this session was a wonderful reminder of just how much natural beauty we have here in Milton—and how magical it feels to capture families surrounded by it.

Group photo on a wooden boardwalk surrounded by lush green trees and foliage.
People walking together along a scenic wooden boardwalk path through green forest.
Siblings stand together on a wooden bridge walkway surrounded by lush green foliage on a sunny day.
Children pose playfully by a wooden railing on an outdoor path with greenery in the background.
Small child in gray shirt and tan shorts playing on a wooden boardwalk railing.
Young person in grey polo shirt smiling outdoors by wooden fence with green foliage in background.
People gather on a long wooden footbridge surrounded by lush green forest on a sunny summer day.
A group enjoying a sunny day together while standing on a wooden boardwalk surrounded by lush greenery.
A gathering of people standing together on a grassy field with sunlit trees in the background.
Extended family poses together outdoors in coordinated outfits for professional portrait session in park setting.
Family members sit casually together on a wooden bench wearing coordinated blue and white outfits.
Couples standing on wooden dock by lake with tall reeds at sunset.
A couple stands together on a wooden dock by a lake with tall reeds in a romantic sunset moment.
Family portrait taken outdoors at a scenic lakeside location during sunset.
Child rests head gently on shoulder in tender embrace against navy blue clothing.
A family sits together on a wooden bridge railing during a summer outdoor photo session.
People sitting casually together on a wooden boardwalk during a warm afternoon.
Group posing for a photo by a scenic lake with trees and water in the background.