I quickly realized why the Spokane Finch Arboretum had been suggested to me for a fall session. I hadn't even exited my car and I could see that this place was simply beautiful.  The colors of fall were bright and abundant. While grabbing my gear from the car I couldn’t help but notice the stretch limousine parked just a few feet away and the wedding party filing out to line up for pictures.  At first I congratulated myself for planning this session at such a beautiful spot. I mean, great minds think alike…right?

Its one thing to have two or three minds "thinking alike," but it's much different when every photographer in Eastern Washington trickles in and begins claiming "their territory" every few feet.  Let the chaos begin.

I may or may not have panicked and thought about pulling out every personal item in my car to stake out what I originally thought was prime real-estate. 

After pausing and taking a deep breath, I looked around and realized that I was beginning to stress over nothing. This entire park was beautiful. We were going to have fun finding the spots together; even if I had to edit a few heads and cameras out of the distant background!

I’ve had the privilege of photographing this family over the past few years.  Big Brother was just barely toddling around at the time of our first session together. Now there are two, tow headed, energetic boys to try keep up with. Heavy emphasis on the word "try."  And, if any family looks good trying, its this one right here.  

 After all our sessions together, Amy is essentially a pro, keeping in step with me, standing behind the camera catching and holding her sons attention.  Chris, relaxed and easy going as always, was enjoying the fact that it wasn't him who had the unfortunate event of stepping in dog poop… unlike his buddy, who was in the same park, but finished his family session a few minutes early do to the said unfortunate event. 

Let's just be honest, we were ALL happy it wasn’t one of us. Unfortunately for his friend, it gave us something to smile about.

I was thankful the Jenness Family was up for a trip to Spokane. We came home with some beautiful pictures.

This session did remind me of the beauty here at home. Spacious open pastures, wheat fields displaying vibrant colors of green or soft hues of gold.  We have canyon walls jetting up into the big blue sky, and "just behind the next bend"  or "beyond the next hill", are hidden oasis', displaying their own colors of fall. Chances are there won't be a wedding party, homecoming groups, or fifty other families with the same idea.  :-)