JADE MADE LLC
Ponies & 80-Degree Perfection
Some sessions are planned down to the minute. This one? Planned just enough and then let the magic take the reins.
We met in a big ol’ hay pasture near their home (because why haul ponies when the pasture is right there?). Woods in the background, golden light rolling in, and the kind of summer evening where it’s 80 degrees, zero wind, and absolutely illegal how perfect it feels. Enter Olivia and Millie; 3.5-year-old twins with wildly different vibes and equally strong opinions. Olivia: jeans-and-boots energy, pony girl through and through, Miss Lady and Mauney’s biggest fan. Millie: princess-at-heart, flowy dress twirling, but would still rather hop on a four-wheeler than miss the action. Same birthday. Same parents. Completely different personalities.
And that’s exactly the good stuff. The girls showed up in flowy dresses, Andy in his cowboy hat and button-down, Mom glowing in that effortless “I wrangled twins and still look cute” way. The ponies were ready. The dogs came trotting along. The cats… well, the cats also decided they were part of the session. Because farm rules. We laughed. We chased light. We said things like “BOOGERS!” and “MONKEYS!” on repeat (10/10 toddler comedy). There were tickles, popsicle-level happiness, and that sweet in-between moment where kids forget the camera exists and just are.
And somewhere between pony rides and wandering through grass, it hit me; this is what family photos are supposed to feel like. Not stiff. Not forced. Just love, dirt on the hems, animals underfoot, and parents soaking in a season that passes way too fast. They hadn’t done family photos in over a year. They wanted something fun, a little western, a little old-soul, and very them. And honestly? They nailed it.
This stage; ponies vs. four-wheelers, princess dresses vs. boots, Busch Light jokes and all—is fleeting. But now it’s documented. Forever. No hauling ponies. No overthinking. Just a pasture, a golden night, and a family that trusted me completely. And truly? That’s always my favorite kind of session. Thanks Olson Family for letting me update your family photos.
