Family Photography Session in Big Meadows | Shenandoah National Park

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Jun 22

Written By Ashton

Since moving back to the Shenandoah Valley, I’ve been slowly trying to get back to work here with family photography! I’ve taken a VERY long break from family sessions in the lower 48. In fact, I think I’ve only done maybe 1 or 2 since moving down here from Alaska. I’d built up such a solid client base in Alaska, it’s been hard to adjust to a different world down here. When I say different, I MEAN different. It’s hard to explain until you’ve done it, but Alaska’s economy and support for small businesses is unlike any other. It’s one of the reasons I go back so often. I get to catch up with the families I’ve been working with for years while also knowing I can book photoshoots there if I need to.

It’s time to get established in Virginia though, and I’m absolutely taking advantage of living at the base of Shenandoah National park in Elkton, Virginia. People travel from all over to see these mountains and it’s such a privilege to be able to just pop up there for a photoshoot.

Every once in awhile I have a session where there was a miscommunication and we don't go to the right location or even meet at the right time. This was one of those sessions. We were set to meet at Big Meadows at 7:30 for the sunset. I didn’t realize THEY didn’t realize we weren’t meeting at the Swift Run Gap entrance. There is very little service up in the mountains so once 7:30 came and went, I knew something was very wrong. Randomly a text came through and I realized what had happened. I also managed to get a text back to them, but Big Meadows is a longer drive up and I was worried we wouldn’t have any light by the time they got to me. It was also SO windy and cold. I’m not going to lie, I was a little nervous when they pulled in that I wouldn’t be able to deliver.

But, I DID and so did they. They were so much fun to work with! It was 8:15 before we got started and it was a race to still have light. They were a great example of, if you just go with the flow and love on your kids, you will have a gorgeous (big) gallery. I think I photographed them for maybe 15-20 minutes and sent them a gallery of almost 60 images.

Under the right conditions, I can work magic FAST, haha.

Enjoy these cuties below! If you’re interested in booking your own photoshoot in Shenandoah National Park, please reach out to me HERE!