I had the absolute pleasure of working with the Kurtz family during their vacation in the Smoky Mountains. Hailing from Maryland, they were ready to make some unforgettable memories while visiting one of the most scenic spots in the Smokies. When Renee reached out to me about their family photo session, we were all set to take photos at their cozy Airbnb. But when the family arrived and Renee got a good look at the exterior, she wasn’t quite thrilled with the setting. It happens! Sometimes a location just doesn’t live up to the expectations, and that’s okay.

So, we quickly pivoted and decided to take their photos at one of the most picturesque places around: Cades Cove in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. If you’ve ever been to Cades Cove, you know that it offers stunning natural beauty, with its rustic charm and wide open spaces. The perfect backdrop for any family session!

One thing that made this shoot particularly special was the variety of ages in the family. From the youngest to the oldest, not everyone was exactly jumping for joy at the thought of posing for photos. But hey, that’s pretty common with family sessions—especially when there’s a mix of kids and adults. As a photographer, I always aim to make the experience fun and stress-free, so we didn’t just stick to stiff poses and forced smiles. Instead, I took the Kurtz family on a little adventure, exploring the beautiful, rustic area of Cades Cove together. We wandered through the woods, explored the old cabins, and took our time enjoying the surroundings.

And while not everyone started out with a big smile, by the end of our session, we had some great moments and even bigger smiles! The family really came together, and it was wonderful to see how much they appreciated the natural beauty of the park and each other’s company.

A little fun tip for rewarding the family after a successful photo session: Sonic! After our shoot, I could tell they were looking forward to some well-deserved treats, and I hope the ice cream and milkshakes were the perfect way to top off an adventure-filled day.

All in all, it was a fantastic session. I love how adaptable families can be, especially when things don’t go exactly as planned. The Kurtz family was truly a joy to work with, and I hope these photos will remind them of their beautiful time in the Smoky Mountains for many years to come.

Thank you, Kurtz family, for letting me be a part of your adventure! ✨