One Small Decision I'm So Glad I Made This Summer

Back in mid-June, I kept seeing a creator on TikTok share practical ways to set your future self up for success. The advice wasn't about making huge life changes. It was about taking care of the little things before they became another item on your to do list.

One suggestion immediately caught my attention.

Schedule your fall family photos.

At first, it seemed a little odd to think about family pictures when summer had barely started, but the more I thought about it, the more it made sense. Every year, the calendar fills up faster than I expect. School starts. Work/volunteering piles up. Weekends disappear. Before I know it, the leaves are gone and I find myself saying, "Maybe next year."

That happened last year, and I regretted it.

So I opened my laptop and started looking for photographers with availability later this fall. As I browsed, I came across Lindsay McGowan Photography, a photographer based here in North Liberty. What caught my attention wasn't just her beautiful work. It was that she happened to be offering mini sessions, our family's favorite kind of photo session.

We're not the family that needs an hour in front of the camera. Give us a short window, keep everyone moving, and we're happy.

Then I saw the location.

The sessions were being held at Los Trompos, a temporary interactive art installation in Centennial Park. Created by Mexican designers Esrawe + Cadena, the larger-than-life spinning tops are inspired by a traditional children's toy, blending art, play, and community into one colorful experience. I had seen the same installation back when it was up in downtown Iowa City a couple years earlier and immediately thought it would make an incredible backdrop for family photos. I love color, and the playful design felt so much more like our family than a traditional field or wooded trail.

Even better, there were still a few openings.

Before I booked, I'm fairly certain I checked with Gspice. His response was, "We don't need family photos every year." My response, "I know. We didn't do them last year, and I really regret that."

So I booked the session.

A quick trip to Kohl's later for clothes that actually fit and made me feel good, and we were ready.

Fast forward to a few days ago, Lindsay delivered our gallery.

I don't think I was prepared for how emotional I would be looking through these photos.

I absolutely love them.

The location was every bit as vibrant and joyful as I'd imagined, but what really took me by surprise was seeing how much our family has changed since our last photos in the fall of 2024.

Gary and I have both lost weight.

Owen has somehow grown a million inches the past two years.

Jack now wears glasses.

When you see your family every day, those changes happen so gradually that you barely notice them. Then someone captures a single moment in time, and suddenly you realize just how much life has moved forward.

I've found myself smiling at these photos over and over again. Sometimes they make me smile so much my face hurts. Other times they make me want to cry, because I know this version of our family is already becoming a memory.

That's what family photos really are.

They're not about perfect outfits or convincing everyone to smile at the same time. They're about preserving a season of life that you'll never get back.

I'm incredibly grateful that a random TikTok video nudged me to think ahead. I'm grateful that I stumbled across Lindsay's page. I'm grateful there were still mini session openings. And I'm especially grateful that she captured our family so naturally, in a place that felt colorful, fun, and completely us.

Thank you, Lindsay, for giving us photographs we'll treasure for years to come. These aren't just pictures. They're a snapshot of exactly who we are in this season of life, and I couldn't love them more.

If you're looking for a family photographer in the Johnson county area, I can't recommend Lindsay McGowan Photography enough. And if you've been thinking about scheduling family photos someday, let this be your reminder.

You can also find Lindsay McGowan on Instagram & Facebook.

Sometimes the smallest decision you make today becomes the gift your future self treasures most.

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