Every once in a while, as a family photographer in the Lansing, Michigan area, I get to document a session that feels like a full-circle moment. Photographing Tatum and her family was exactly that. I actually went to school with Tatum’s brother from elementary school straight through high school, and somewhere in those years, her “legendary” status began for me. But it wasn’t until I started following her on Instagram that my admiration really grew.
I fell in love with her quirky personality, the gorgeous garden she cultivates, her flock of chickens, her creative spirit, and the way she pours intention into raising her kids. So stepping into her world for this family photo session felt like walking into a living piece of art. Everything she touches has that rare blend of whimsy, beauty, and authenticity that makes photographing people worth it to me.
Her youngest son, Buck, is basically her clone in all the best ways—warm, curious, hilarious, and endlessly joyful. He insisted I try a tomato he picked himself, kept us all laughing, and might genuinely be one of the happiest kids I’ve ever photographed. Sessions like these remind me why I focus on real, connection-driven family photography over perfection. Kids being themselves is the magic.
When I left, I didn’t just pack up my camera—I left with a bushel of sage now hanging in my kitchen, filling my home with the scent of Tatum’s garden. She also gifted me the cutest pair of handmade pants I’ve ever owned.
This session was a sweet reminder that family photography is more than images—it’s shared moments, real connections, and the little pieces of life we carry home with us. If you’re looking for an authentic, heartfelt family photographer in the Lansing, Michigan area, I’d love to capture your story too.
