Murphy Family Photoshoot | Capturing the Beautiful Chaos of Life With Four Kids
A Family I’ve Watched Grow From the Very Beginning
A Murphy Family photoshoot means a lot to me—both personally and professionally. Michael is actually my husband’s cousin, and I’ve had the honor of photographing him and Jennise since before they had any kids. Over the years, I’ve been lucky enough to document their growing family and all the beautiful, wild, joy-filled stages in between.
Every year, they book a family session with me, and every year it’s a favorite. These aren’t just photos—they’re a time capsule of this chapter, whatever that looks like.
For this session, we opted for something a little different—an in-studio shoot at Artist Uprising Studio in Richardson, Texas. I love shooting in this space. It gives a completely different vibe than outdoor fields or urban settings—cleaner, more refined, and ideal for creating frame-worthy wall art. The neutral backgrounds allow every expression, connection, and personality to shine.
How I Approach Family Sessions (Especially With Littles!)
With a family of six, flexibility is key. We always start with the full family shot while everyone’s energy is fresh and focused. Then I begin working into smaller groupings. Jennise and Michael have two older kids and two younger ones, so I grouped the bigs together for a few sweet sibling shots first.
The littles? In every family they always have their own agenda—which is exactly what I expect. When younger kids are feeling wiggly or unpredictable, I go with the flow. Rather than trying to control the moment, I let their personalities shine through. Some of my favorite images from this session are the unscripted ones—where their little expressions tell the whole story.
And for any parents reading this: please know I never expect perfection. Kids are going to be kids, and that’s exactly what I want to capture. The smiles, the silliness, the in-between glances—that’s where the real magic lives.
Making Time for the Two Who Started It All
One thing I always try to do during family sessions is carve out a moment for just mom and dad. It’s easy to skip this when life is full of little ones and to-do lists, but these photos together are so worth it.
Jennise and Michael are the foundation of this sweet crew, and I love capturing their connection—just the two of them, no distractions, no diapers, no snack requests. It’s always a reminder that your relationship deserves to be celebrated, too.
Personality, Play, and A Little Bit of Chaos
After we’ve captured the essential group shots, I love shifting into a more playful space. I always make sure to photograph each child individually, giving them a chance to shine in their own way.
Then we move into what I call personality posing—letting the kids be goofy, expressive, and themselves. And honestly? Some of the best photos come from this part. For the Murphys, those later images say it all: four kids, a lot of love, and a whole lot of life happening in between.
Why This Session Was One to Remember
This session felt like a celebration of the Murphy family exactly as they are right now. Not perfectly posed or filtered, but real, connected, and full of love. These are the moments worth remembering—the stage where the house is loud, the hugs are tight, and everyone’s growing just a little too fast.
Jennise + Michael, thank you for trusting me year after year to capture this beautiful chaos. It means the world to me.
Studio Location: Artist Uprising Studio – Richardson, TX
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