Sometimes, inspiration strikes when you least expect it. Recently, I found myself craving something purely creative—something just for me, for my heart, and for my love of storytelling through imagery. I spend so much of my time as an Oklahoma photographer working on branding sessions, boudoir shoots, weddings, and maternity portraits that are carefully planned and polished. But on this particular day, I wanted to step outside of the traditional and step into something more documentary in nature—a session that told a story through the ebb and flow of everyday life.
That’s when Danielle came to mind. I had photographed her headshots for her real estate business months earlier, and since then, we had become social media friends. I often saw her sharing photos of her farm life, and every post filled me with curiosity and inspiration. One day, I finally reached out and asked if she’d be open to a creative photoshoot—one that didn’t have a strict shot list but instead captured the rhythm of her real life. Thankfully, she was just as excited about the idea as I was, and so the planning began.
The Vision: Vintage, Whimsical, and Real
From the start, I wanted this shoot to have a vintage, almost timeless feel. Something that felt warm and a little nostalgic, the way farm life often does. We decided on a simple, flowing dress that would look natural out in the pasture and garden. Danielle pulled her hair into a messy bun, and we embraced the imperfections—because, really, that’s what life on a farm is all about.
The chickens were the first to greet us. Danielle began telling me stories about each one, and I quickly realized they weren’t “just chickens.” Each had a name, a backstory, and in some cases, a history of rescue or adoption. Some had been dropped off unexpectedly, some she had chosen, and some had been saved. Every single bird had a personality. Listening to her share those stories was a reminder of how much love and connection can exist between humans and animals, even in the smallest ways.
Meeting the Cows and Donkey
After the chickens, we moved into the pasture where Danielle introduced me to her cows and donkey. Just four days before I arrived, one of her cows had given birth to a calf. I was secretly hoping the baby would let me get close enough to capture some intimate photos, but like most newborns, she was skittish and quick to run away before I could get within reach. Mama cow, however, was more than happy to take part in the shoot. She was curious, affectionate, and seemed to show us around her home as though she knew exactly what we were there for.
There’s something so grounding about being in the presence of animals, especially in such a natural and unposed environment. It reminded me why I love storytelling photography so much—because the beauty of real life is often more powerful than anything we could stage.
The Beauty of a Garden for Joy
Our final stop was Danielle’s garden. I asked her why she chose the particular flowers she planted, half-expecting her to explain some functional purpose. Instead, she simply said she planted them because she loved them. She wasn’t growing them for food or profit or even photography aesthetics. She was growing them purely because they brought her joy.
That struck me deeply. I’ve always seen gardening through a practical lens—growing vegetables and herbs that can sustain me. But Danielle’s garden was a reminder that beauty itself is reason enough. Sometimes we don’t need utility to justify joy. Sometimes joy alone is enough.
As we picked flowers and vegetables, the sun began to set in the distance. Of course, Mama cow couldn’t resist sneaking a bite of the flowers we gathered, but we laughed and let it be part of the story. It was the perfect representation of how unscripted moments create the most meaningful images.
Hurry Up and Slow Down
We ended the evening back with the chickens, feeding them one last time before pausing to watch the sunset. The light stretched across the pasture in that magical golden glow, and I felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude.
What stood out most to me was the rhythm of the day: the balance of hurry up and slow down. Farm life has that natural way of pulling you between action and stillness. You move quickly to care for animals, gather vegetables, or mend fences, but then you pause—sometimes without meaning to—and realize how breathtakingly beautiful the simplicity is.
Driving an hour out to Danielle’s farm was worth every minute. It wasn’t just about taking photos—it was about listening, learning, and being part of her world for a day.
Why I Love Creative Documentary-Style Sessions
As much as I adore photographing boudoir sessions, branding photography, maternity shoots, and weddings in Oklahoma, sessions like this farm shoot feed my creative soul in a different way. They’re not about posing perfectly or creating styled backdrops. They’re about honoring the story that already exists.
Photography, at its core, is storytelling. Whether it’s a boudoir session helping a woman rediscover her confidence and self-love, a branding shoot that captures the heart of a business owner, or a wedding that celebrates the love story of two people, every session is about preserving a chapter in someone’s life. This farm session was no different—it just happened to be told through chickens, cows, a donkey, and a garden full of flowers.
An Invitation
I hope more clients feel inspired to invite me into their everyday spaces to tell their stories in this way. Whether that’s documenting life on a farm, a family’s cozy evening at home, or even the behind-the-scenes of a business, these are the moments that matter. They’re the ones we’ll want to look back on—not just because they were beautiful, but because they were real.
If you’ve been thinking about booking a session—whether it’s boudoir, maternity, branding, wedding, or a creative lifestyle shoot—I would love to talk with you. Together, we can create images that not only look stunning but also tell your story in a way that feels authentic, empowering, and true to you.
