A Southern Family’s Snowy Adventure in Orchard Park

While most families dream of escaping to sunny beaches for their winter getaways, this Southern family packed their snow gear and headed north to Orchard Park.

​They weren’t looking for warmth—they were on a mission to give their four kids a magical snowy adventure. After realizing that Colorado’s ski towns were out of reach, they turned their sights to New York State and found the perfect Airbnb in my little town.

The only problem was that when they arrived, the temperature was warmer in OP than it was in Missisippi!

​Their story didn’t just stop at finding snow—it turned into so much more. Through a remarkable twist of fate, their vacation rental happened to be just a few doors down from the home on East Quaker where all three of our boys grew up. Even more serendipitous, the dad and Brian have served together in the army.

​As soon as I heard they were in town, I knew I wanted to gift them a portrait session. It’s something I do for anyone who serves or has served alongside my sons in the military—it’s my way of honoring their service. Capturing their family’s laughter and love in the studio was such a joy, and they left with a set of timeless black-and-white portraits that will always remind them of their snowy adventure.

​This family’s visit was a beautiful reminder of how small the world can be and how important it is to treasure the moments we share with those we love. It’s not every day that snow, service, and serendipity come together in such a meaningful way, but I’m so grateful they did.