MenuMenu

Home in the Summer

black and white. Two young boys sit outside, close up. One boy drinks from juice box, one boy covering his face with his fingers. Sun is high in the trees for this backyard summer dinner.

There’s something about summer that makes staying home feel like an adventure. The backyard became their haven for this beautiful family of four—an oasis of laughter, good food, and moments of simple joy. On a warm evening, with the sun beginning to set and the air turning soft, they gathered together to enjoy a casual dinner on the patio, setting the stage for a perfect night at home.

The table was set with a spread of grilled vegetables and salmon, fresh salads, and comfort food that makes a family meal feel complete. The two boys were already buzzing with excitement, not just for the food, but for the fun that was sure to follow.

Once dinner was done, it was time to move to biking in the street and then to the fire pit. The crackling fire quickly became the centerpiece of the evening. The kids took turns poking the logs and watching the flames dance, their faces glowing in the warm light. The smell of wood smoke and the barely an evening breeze made everything feel cozy and familiar, a feeling of peace that was hard to come by in the busy world.

As the fire continued to crackle, it was time for the real treat: popcorn.  When the first fluffy kernels popped, the excitement was palpable. With each batch, they added more butter, more salt, and more laughs. Popcorn became more than just a snack—it was an experience, a memory made right there under the stars.

As the night wound down, the family made their way over to the hammock. The kids climbed in first, their laughter ringing through the evening air as they swung back and forth. Then, the parents joined in, and the hammock became a cozy spot to chat about the day’s little adventures and the week to come.

The fire pit flickered lower, the stars above began to shine brighter, and the family lay together, content. It was a night full of simple, perfect moments—the kind of moments that might seem small, but in reality, are the ones that make a family feel whole.

 

Boy sits under the family table during dinnertime. He looks up through the slats. Summer dinner left mostly uneaten. Salmon, corn on the cob, salad.

Boy stradels bike in a pocket of light while dad checks bike tires. Black and white. Boy bikes between shadows of two large trees with his shadow falling in between. Black and white. Family of four playfully walk and smile as mom holds young son.Boy empties tackle box on the grass. Very colorful scene. Mom and son make popcorn together.Boy holds bowl as mom dumps popcorn in. Boy shakes salt into bowl. Boy drinks root beer from a bottle in front of a backyard campfire.Family all reaches for popcorn at the same time in front of a backyard campfire. Black and white. Family of 4 make funny faces at each other in backyard campfire during the summer.Boy removes protective cover of backyard campfire and reveals smoke. Dad holds young son's head as son approach smoky fire to add kindling. Mom and older son sit on swing beyond them eating popcorn.

Jocelyn wrote these words:

My husband and I were drawn to Jen by her eye and aesthetic, which is all about documenting your ordinary lifestyle. She was a treat to work with from the get go! She helped coach us on clothing and day/timing selection. She was extremely communicative leading up to the day of the shoot, during the actual shoot and afterwards. Always a professional, but man, is she fun too! We were immediately able to be ourselves to allow for really great shots. She was open to some of our ideas, but you’ll be amazed by what she discovers from behind the lens. You won’t regret working with her! As a matter of fact, I am having head-shots done by her in a week. Additionally, we’ll most definitely be having her shoot our family again in the future.

Check out their first session to see when they were just a family of three!

We had an ordinary morning at home for their second session.

 

Beautifully Ordinary Logo trademark of Jen Lucas Photography; hand-scripted font

Beautifully Ordinary is a trademark of Jen Lucas Photography, LLC.