On Camas, Companionship, and Celebration
Lagotto Romagnolo Mia, in Camas flowers.
There’s planning, and then there’s what unfolds naturally. Some of my favorite sessions are the pop-ups — when friends come together with their horses, dogs, and a little festive energy. They’re part photoshoot, part gathering, and all joy. A recent pop-up in Tenino, Washington, was the perfect example. I’m already ready for the next one.
The drive down felt like a gift in itself. I avoided the rush of I-5 and instead took the slower roads, winding past pastures, working farms, and weathered barns that looked like they belonged to another era. Tenino, founded after the Gold Rush and once a stagecoach stop, still carries that pioneering spirit.
When I arrived, Hera had gathered four of her friends for the session. The chosen spot was a sunlit field, awash in violet camas lilies with flashes of white and yellow wildflowers between them. The sight was breathtaking — a sea of purple that seemed to ripple in the light.
Camas (Camassia quamash) carries deep meaning in this region. For the Native peoples of the Plateau, its bulbs were once an essential food source, roasted slowly in fire pits. In the days of horse and buggy, settlers often mistook blooming camas fields for distant lakes. Looking across this violet expanse, I understood why. Mirage or not, it was a photographer’s dream.
The scene itself was as welcoming as the landscape. Chairs were set up at the edges of the field so friends and family could watch, the barn offered a charming powder room for touch-ups, and yes — there may have been a little wine to ease the nerves. Not that this group needed it. Their warmth and laughter filled the space.
We began with Mia, a Lagotto Romagnolo water dog and truffle hunter, who pranced through the field like the princess she is. From there, we moved on to the horses — each one radiant in the wildflower light. Hera’s Lusitano mare, Luna, was the picture of elegance, her flowing mane matched by Hera’s regal Portuguese riding costume. Together, they set the tone for a session full of grace, beauty, and spirit.
By the time the last shutter clicked, the sun had begun to soften, and I had hundreds of images waiting to be sorted through. More than that, I had memories of an afternoon filled with laughter, connection, and the joy of creating together in such a place.
This Tenino pop-up reminded me why I love these sessions so much. When people gather in familiar company, surrounded by animals they love, the photographs take care of themselves.