Hilarious and Heart-Filling Photos at Brownwood State Park with the Swanzy Family

If you’ve never been to Lake Brownwood State Park, let me set the scene for you real quick: it’s tucked away in Brown County, Texas, and it’s basically a mix of sparkling lake views, rocky shorelines, and wide-open fields that look like they were made just for photographers. Trails, tall grass, calm water, golden sunlight (on a good day), and enough space to run, laugh, and freeze your toes off all at the same time. In other words: perfection.

And that’s exactly where I met up with the Swanzy family — a group I’m convinced was put on this Earth to make photographers laugh until tears stream down their faces.

Four Brothers, One Christmas Gift, and One Freezing Day

The Swanzy family consists of four brothers who decided to gift their parents updated family photos for Christmas. I don’t know who came up with this idea, but I would like to publicly congratulate them because THAT is how you win “Favorite Child of the Year.”
When I arrived, the wind hit my face with the force of a thousand tiny icicles, and I thought to myself, “Wow… this is going to be interesting.” But then the Swanzy brothers showed up, brought all the energy, all the jokes, and all the chaos in the best way possible — and suddenly I didn’t feel the cold anymore. (My fingers still did, but that’s beside the point.)

Starting at the Shore — Laughter Echoing Off the Lake

We started along the lake’s shoreline, where the wind was doing everything in its power to sabotage hair, clothes, and probably relationships — but the Swanzy brothers were completely unbothered. There were jokes, sarcastic comments, and brotherly banter flying faster than I could click the shutter.

Every time I tried to pose them, someone made a comment that had the entire group cracking up — including me. And honestly? Those moments made the best photos. Real smiles. Real laughter. Real “we almost fell into the lake but it was worth it” energy.

Even though it was bitterly cold, they didn’t show their discomfort. Instead, they joked about their noses turning red and their hands going numb… and then continued laughing like they were at a summer pool party. Their ability to keep the energy high made the session feel warm — even if the weather definitely wasn’t.

And despite the weather? The photos turned out incredible. Movement, laughter, wind, waves — it all added this natural, lively vibe that you simply can’t fake.

Tucker, the Unexpected Creative Director

After we wrapped up the lakeside part of the shoot (and after I regained feeling in at least two fingers), Tucker suggested we walk to a nearby field he spotted. I don’t say this lightly: this man has a photographer’s soul.

We followed his lead right into the dreamiest open field with tall golden grass that practically glowed in the evening light. It was the perfect change of scenery — calm, warm-toned, and just far enough away from the wind’s dramatic performance.

The Swanzy family brought the same hilarious energy into the field, but with a little more freedom to move around without the wind trying to steal the show. The tall grass swayed, the light softened, and the brothers kept cracking jokes, making the photos feel effortlessly real and joyful.

Why This Session Was So Special

Even with freezing temperatures and a lake that was visibly annoyed with all of us, this session was pure gold. The Swanzy brothers didn’t just show up — they showed up joyfully, ready to have fun, ready to laugh, and ready to make memories their parents will absolutely treasure.

Here’s what stood out:

• The cold didn’t scare them away. Elsa would be proud.
• Their humor carried the whole session. I swear I laughed more than I clicked the shutter.
• They embraced every moment — even the wild weather which made the photos feel authentic and alive.
• The tall-grass field was a flawless finale. *Shoutout to Tucker and his award-winning location scouting.*

Final Thoughts on These Photos at Brownwood State Park

Sessions like this remind me why I love photographing families. Even when the weather isn’t ideal, the right people can turn a freezing, windy day into one of the most memorable sessions ever. The Swanzy family brought heart, humor, and so much personality that the final gallery feels warm — even though none of us were.

If you’ve ever considered gifting family photos for Christmas (or any time of year), let this be your sign: it’s thoughtful, meaningful, and lasts so much longer than any store-bought gift. Bundle up, embrace the chaos, and let the memories happen.