There are few things you can count on more in Arizona than the heat and sunshine. Enter Monsoon season just before sunrise, and you may not be able to count on one (or both) of those things. While it was still hot (and humid) at the Bakers’ Family Session at Lost Dutchman State Park, the rainstorm and dark clouds from the frequent wildfires were not factors I was anticipating when Brittany and her family booked in the Spring.

Just after 4:00 am as I was driving to meet the Bakers, it began to *pour*! “Oh no, oh no, oh no” was all I could think. I quickly checked the weather on my phone again and saw the chances of rain had upped from 30% the night before to cloudy, windy, and 90-100% chance of rain during the entirety of our session.

All I could do was remain calm, so I kept driving closer and closer to Lost Dutchman, hoping by some miracle it wouldn’t rain the *entire* time. By the time we got settled and I met the Bakers, I knew their session wouldn’t be short of amazing. They had the most gracious attitudes and were so warm upon meeting me! While it did rain and remain cloudy for most of their session, it made for some fun lighting scenarios and opened up angles for how we could shoot!

Brittany contacted me early in the year, and throughout seeing my work on Instagram would remind me just how excited she was to update their family photos. I couldn’t wait either, especially since the Baker family is just one of two family sessions I’ve accepted for the year 2021. They were coming in from Indiana after all, and I didn’t want to turn down dreams of having a desert sunrise session.

I’m so glad I committed to Brittany and her family! Their kiddos Addie and Briar were total sweethearts. By Briar’s nickname, Beef, I’m sure you’ve figured out he was also a total ham at their session! I had so much fun capturing the family’s love for one another with the Bakers and am looking forward to my next family session this Fall!