JADE MADE LLC
The Bennetts
At Jade Made, LLC, I live by three little words: capture, create, and cherish.
Capture the moments that matter.
Create something beautiful out of the chaos.
Cherish it forever—yes, even the foggy mornings and the diaperless newborns.
Recently, I had one of those "this is why I do what I do" kind of shoots with a family that holds a special place in my small-town Southwest Iowa heart: The Bennetts.
Now listen, I’m not always what you’d call a “morning person.” But for sunrise shoots in the rolling hills of Villisca, where fog hangs low and cows and horses oh and maybe a donkey ... are your only audience? I’ll set three alarms and call it a good time. The sky gave us storm clouds, a quiet breeze—and then, like clockwork, a full-on Iowa storm system rolled in mid-session. My favorite kind of drama.
Meet the Bennetts
Tyrel, Karissa, and their brand-new little cowboy, Riggin, who was just shy of four weeks old (I believe). You know the kind of family that loves horses, dogs, hayfields, cattle, and good music? That’s them. And also, the kind of people who aren’t afraid of a little dirt or a little wind if it means capturing something real.
Karissa filled out my photo session Q&A like a seasoned pro (with the perfect combo of honesty and humor). She said:
“We never thought we could have a baby, so he’s pretty special himself.”
Cue the waterworks, right?
All the Cowboy Things
This wasn’t your average family session with stiff poses and Pinterest-planned props. No, no. This was:
-A denim onesie
-Tiny Wrangler jeans
-A saddle, spurs, ropes and hats
And yes... a tiny naked baby booty cradled in dad’s arms
IYKYK: these shots moms just cherish.
Riggin’s handmade teddy bear and quilt made by his grandma and great-granny came along for the ride that made this shoot just extra special.
Why It Mattered
It’s sessions like this that remind me why I’m in this business. It’s not just about pretty pictures. It’s about storytelling. It’s about capturing a chapter you’ll never get back but will always want to revisit.
The Bennetts wanted their first family photos as a trio to reflect their lifestyle, their grit, and their joy—and I got to help tell that story.
The Jade Made Way
Whether I’m taking pictures of animals or humans, dodging cow pies for the perfect angle, or wrangling a swaddle mid-photo, my goal stays the same:
Capture what matters.
Create something timeless.
Cherish the journey—wild, windy, and all.
Karissa said something that stuck with me:
“When I look through your photos, each picture tells a story. They feel very natural and not forced or posed.”
That’s the mission. That’s the heartbeat of this business.
