Can You Spot the Hedgehog? 🦔 Eischens Fall Family Session at St. Peter Gustavus Arboretum

Some sessions are just fun before we actually take any photos, and this one with the Eischens family was exactly that.

Henry showed up with a little 3D-printed hedgehog tucked in his pocket, and before we even got situated in our first area, the kids had a game going: hide the hedgehog in every single photo and see if we could spot him. I love when a family brings their own joy into a session like that — as a family photographer in the Mankato, MN area, some of my favorite images aren’t the ones I plan, they’re the ones a kid dreams up on the spot.

I have had the honor of documenting this family since Charlie was just a baby and have so loved watching as the kids have grown, each one has their own distinct personalities but one common thing is how much their dad can make them laugh. Claire adores her dad. You can see it in every frame — the second he leans in to make her laugh, her whole face lights up. That kind of connection can’t be posed or faked, and it’s exactly what I’m chasing every time I pick up my camera. Those are the images this family will look back on in twenty years and remember exactly how that moment felt.

The last few sessions, Charlie has started adding his own ideas at the end — and I have loved his input! This year, he announced we needed to get photos by the gazebo, and he was right. They turned out beautifully. I love watching him grow into that confidence, and I always make room for it. A session should feel like the family’s, not just mine.

Photographing the same family year after year means I’m not just capturing images, I’m capturing who they’re becoming. Henry’s hedgehog games, Claire’s adorable giggles, Charlie’s ideas — none of that happens if a session feels rushed or stiff. My job is to create the kind of relaxed, genuine time together that lets those moments show up on their own. In between the chaos of life you can tell there is so much love and joy in this family and I thank them for continuing to trust me with these memories. ❤️

Take a look below – can you spot the hedgehog?