Family Day in The Life Session at the Hickman's Home in Strawberry Plains
In Home Family Session in Tennessee
Documentary family photos in Knoxville
When I asked Ali and Vince about things they always want to remember about this season of life, they talked about the way their boys play together. The way their youngest, Corbin, is obsessed with Toy Story, and how their other son, Colton, loves cars and his army men. Vince spoke of Ali’s nurturing and patient heart. Ali shared about how Vince is an amazing dad and is always helping and encouraging her.
I stepped into their home and it was all so evident. Such deep love and care and intentionality in it all. As a boy mom myself, it’s always so fun for me to see another home filled with the joy of boyhood. I know these little years can be wild, but also so full of joy! It’s easy to see how Ali and Vince embrace and celebrate it all.
Life in these little years with a mom and dad who love their family and are building their life with intentionality, allowing their boys to be fully themselves? Absolute magic.
Upon first arriving, there was already laughter and the two sweetest boys greeting me and showing me their toys and dressed in the most darling Toy Story pjs! I absolutely love the way Ali embraces color in their home and wardrobe. It feels vibrant and joyful—a beautiful reflection of all the fun of childhood (ps, if you want to see another family session full of vibrant colors check out this blog here)!
After I set up all my camera gear and made sure all the lighting was good, we all headed to the kitchen. Ali washed bright red strawberries while Vince began on the pancake batter. Little hands were close by ready to help. Corbin was eager to stir the pancake mix and grab bites of strawberries while Colton happily placed his army men on the kitchen counter to be nearby with his trusty soldiers.
While Vince stayed in the kitchen to finish cooking each of the pancakes, Ali headed to the boys room with Colton and Corbin to read “Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What do You See?'“ (Eric Carle is a FAVORITE of mine!) and some other sweet books from their book shelf. Once the pancakes were done, Ali set the red strawberries around the perfectly toasted pancakes on a beautiful blue plate. Followed by a darling thrifted glass vase decorated with the cutest white geese with blue ribbons around their neck, filled with orange juice.
As they held hands, Vince said grace, followed by Corbin requesting to pray 3-4 more times, followed by the cutest little “AAAAA-men” and the scrunchiest nose and eyes while praying. Then Colton realized he needed his cars and quickly ran to get them so his cars could join them for breakfast! What’s breakfast without your toy cars??
Everyone happily ate their breakfast in their dining/homeschool room. Once everyones bellies were full, they headed to the vintage green chalkboard right by the table. Vince grabbed his bible and read a scripture that Ali wrote down on the chalkboard, with some helping hands by Corbin to draw his own little picture to add to the board!
It was time to head back to the toys! Corbin pulled out every one of his Toy Story toys, asking his daddy to play with him. They carefully set each one on their little indoor trampoline and carefully bounced them around. Later, he stacked them all in his little red wagon to see how many could fit. Ali helped Colton with all of his paw patrol characters and vehicles, as well as his other cars. After some time of playing with that, he ran over to his daddy for a quick wrestling match! The sweetest giggles quickly ensued as Vince flipped him over his shoulders and back around for a big bear hug.
Speaking of bears, Corbin decided it was time to read “Brown Bear Brown Bear What Do You See?” one more time, so he snuggled up on a chair with his mama to read it again. After all this sweet play time, Ali headed into the kitchen to make a latte. She added a little pinch of salt to which I said “I just recently learned that adding a pinch of salt makes your latte taste SO much better!” Seriously, if you haven’t done it, take this as your sign to try it. Here I also asked her to stand with her coffee while I snapped a portrait of her, because every mama deserves a photo to also remember their motherhood. She was radiant standing there in her kitchen, a tiny babe growing quietly in her belly, and the joy of being a mama written all over her coutenance.
With her coffee in hand, she grabbed the most beautiful newspaper I’ve ever seen: “The Loturra Post.” A gorgeous curated monthly newspaper for women. I am now thinking I need one, because I am all about analog over here and having things in my home that help me slow down and be more intentional.
They settled in for snuggles on the couch, which of course included Toy Story toys! After some snuggles and tickles, Ali and Vince pulled back the coffee table and started a dance party. Which also included “ninja nunchucks” from Colton and the cutest little jumping up and down from Corbin. Mom and dad danced away together while the boys danced and jumped around them.
Then the boys were ready to go outside! Ali grabbed their red hunter boots and they trotted outside to play. But not before we stopped at the cutest red shed in their backyard where we took a quick family photo. All of the red truly felt so fitting for their family and it also just so happens that their town is called “Strawberry Plains” and I think that is just the cutest thing. A life intentionally lived to treasure the beauty and joy of life!
We headed back inside where we said goodbye, and I shared that I’ll be sending them some sneak peeks in 24 hours. Then, just 4 weeks later, their final video and photos were sent to their email.
After Ali and Vince received their gallery and took the time enjoying their day in the life video and photos, she left the sweetest review from their experience:
“We had the best time having neeli in our home, she captured the sweetest images and the essence of our home and family. Pictures and video that I will cherish for a lifetime of little moments that matter the most”
Ali and Vince are high school sweethearts who are now living in the days they once dreamed of. Raising two little boys (with a third sweet baby on the way!) in a life full of color, adventure, and fun. I hope you feel the pure magic and love from their day in the life session like I did!
Curious about booking your own day in the life session? Fill out the inquiry page here and I’ll follow up with you within 24 hours with more info! If you want to see more family session like this one, you can see more of my portfolio here.
