The rich textures and backgrounds at Empire Mine State Park is *chefs kiss* perfection. I really enjoy photographing my families there and love it when they come in different shades of purple.
![Mom giving daughter a piggyback in front of green door in Empire Mine State Park](https://jillcarmel.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Empire-Mine-Family-Photos_1-800x571.jpg)
![Family sitting on stone steps at Empire Mine State Park](https://jillcarmel.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Empire-Mine-Family-Photos_2-800x571.jpg)
This brick archway is giving me life.
![Dad giving daughter a piggyback while she looks at flowers in trees and daughter poses in front of green entryway arch in Empire Mine State Park](https://jillcarmel.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Empire-Mine-Family-Photos_3-800x557.jpg)
A tale of two fountains.
![Little girl staring in fountain and playing in water at Empire Mine State Park](https://jillcarmel.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Empire-Mine-Family-Photos_4-800x557.jpg)
![Little girl running through hedges at Empire Mine State Park](https://jillcarmel.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Empire-Mine-Family-Photos_5-800x572.jpg)
![Dad and mom hold daughters and smile in front of stone wall in Empire Mine State Park](https://jillcarmel.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Empire-Mine-Family-Photos_7-800x571.jpg)
It’s all about perspective.
![Mom bending over for a pep talk in front of atrium while dad holds daughter upside down at Empire Mine State Park](https://jillcarmel.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Empire-Mine-Family-Photos_8-800x557.jpg)
![Family holding hands and walking through park surrounded by trees at Empire Mine State Park](https://jillcarmel.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Empire-Mine-Family-Photos_10-800x571.jpg)
Wild and free.
![Girls running on dirt framed by tall trees in Empire Mine State Park](https://jillcarmel.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Empire-Mine-Family-Photos_9-800x571.jpg)
![Family sitting on bench and smiling at Empire Mine State Park](https://jillcarmel.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Empire-Mine-Family-Photos_11-800x571.jpg)
![Mom and dad kiss daughter at Empire Mine State Park](https://jillcarmel.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Empire-Mine-Family-Photos_12-800x557.jpg)
Red hair + purple dress + green window pane = love
![Dad holding daughter on shoulders as mom looks at her in front of green window trim and wood shingles Empire Mine State Park](https://jillcarmel.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Empire-Mine-Family-Photos_13-800x571.jpg)
![Mom and dad carry daughters as they smile for camera in front of wooden door at Empire Mine State Park](https://jillcarmel.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Empire-Mine-Family-Photos_14-800x571.jpg)
We are almost a month into 2022. How are you feeling? Good enough for some photo adventures? You know where to find me.