From Snow to Sun: Mother’s Day in Alaska

One minute it’s winter… and the next, it’s full-blown summer in Alaska. If you know, you know. There’s no in-between here—just straight-up snow boots to sandals overnight.

This Mother’s Day was simple but felt pretty perfect. We started the morning attending our church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, right here in beautiful Palmer, Alaska. It’s how we always begin our Sundays.

After church, we relaxed at home for a little while, just soaking in the calm. But then the sunshine called, and we answered. We walked down to the river and let the kids explore while we attempted a little swimming lesson (or possibly baptism?) with our mini-poodle. Spoiler alert: he wasn’t impressed. I’m not sure he’ll ever trust us again.

The kids, on the other hand, thrived. Give Alaska kids a glacial river and a sunbeam, and they’ll turn it into summer magic. They were having so much fun that we headed back home just long enough to grab swimsuits and snacks—then it was back to the water.

Let me say: Alaskan kids are built differently. That water was cold. Like, make-you-question-your-life-choices cold. I stayed on shore, in my Alaska sweatshirt, promising them that next time, I’ll join them. But let’s be honest—I’ll be ordering a wetsuit first. But I am looking forward to bringing my underwater camera with us.

And as I stood on the shore, camera in hand, I was happy. Photographing moments in a natural way, where I basically just watch and photograph, makes my heart sing. This kind of photography—the natural light, the unscripted joy, the real-life moments—is what fills me up. These aren’t posed, polished memories. They’re the kind you want to bottle up and keep forever. The kind your kids will look back on and say, "Remember when we swam in the river on Mother’s Day?"

This is the good stuff. The real stuff. And I’m so grateful I get to live it—and capture it.

Your family photography can look like this, too. I offer these sessions to my clients as well. Sometimes it can be challenging for a family to visualize how the photos would turn out for their own family. But I promise you, you will love the results. You have to trust me and the process. Are posed portraits beautiful, yes. I photograph them. But there is something so freeing and relaxing about being able to be you at a photoshoot. To love your family the way you do.