i can honestly say that this is the first family i’ve had to attempt to reel back in. i try my hardest at sessions to capture moments and feeling and love. and a few portraits. this family was so much fun and so full of laughter that i never had to say “ok, you guys don’t all have to look at the camera”. it was like i wasn’t there. and it was fabulous.
sometimes it’s hard being the littlest…
it had been years since i had seen laura. growing up, she was one of the most genuine, accepting, and hilarious people i knew. and you know what, after all this time, she absolutely still is. last week laura traveled from Texas with her husband and kids, as well as her husband’s family from puerto rico, to get together with her family in lil ol’ polk county. even though so much time had past, i did know about half this lovely group but it was such a delight to meet all of antonio’s far away family. even though it was as hot as hades and there were A LOT of pictures to take, everyone was so accommodating and such good sports. with a few cooling off/drying out sessions in the ac between families, we were able to capture (hopefully!) everything that laura wanted and have tons of fun while doing so.
laura, hope you guys enjoy your peek and i cannot wait until we are able to get back together and do some more catching up! xoxo
amy & david’s sweet little one colin.
beautiful nieces…
classic laura:)
antonio’s sweet sweet parents
john and christine hadn’t changed a bit.
elizabeth is no stranger to the ol’ blog. i got to hang out with her and her sweet pup late last year. but i hadn’t seen the rest of her lovely family in quite a while so i was rather excited about this session. and umm, at hilton head…shoot yeah! after a couple of changes in dates, we finally got everything ironed out. and it worked out for ayden and mr. wilson to make the trip with me. i began checking the weather 10 days out (as many days as the weather channel app will allow) and it looked like it would cooperate. that is until a couple days prior. 50, 60, 80% chance of rain. ugh. this was the last evening that elizabeth and her husband mark would be there. no chance for a rain date. the whole drive down we were in a down pour. hazard lights kind of rain. i was freaking out to say the least. then, as we got closer to the island, like a big bright smile from above, there were little bits of blue sky. it still drizzled on and off for the hour leading up to our session but by the time i got to the hotel to meet everyone, it was perfectly overcast and dry.
it was so great to see how hailey, brian, and donald had grown without losing the tiniest bit of their energy. these three will run you ragged. i had their attention for the first 15 minutes (maybe) but as soon as they touched a toe in the ocean water all bets were off. i could only try my best to keep up with them. looking at these images, i can still hear their belly laughs. it was genuinely such a super fun evening and i hope i was able to do it justice.
thank you again elizabeth for having me come down. hope you all enjoy this little preview!
and toes touch the water...
i met this sweet family at Song Hill Reserve for another holiday mini. every time i visit this place, i swear it is more beautiful than the last. while he is totally out numbered, LaVerne has such a wonderful family. he, his lovely wife Sara, and their three girls were all so kind. they are one of those families that would give you their coats if you were cold…that would take you home with them for dinner after just meeting you (and i am sure it would be delicious!). anyone who knows this family is blessed to have them in their lives…and i now feel the same.
Laverne and Sara, i hope you enjoy you peek. it was such a pleasure to meet you…
just look at all that love...
so, i love this family. every one of them. some of the warmest, most caring people you will meet. and they just happen to be the few people in my life who share my love of the Browns…yeup, the Cleveland Browns. while i have no excuse, being born and raised in the Carolinas, they are Ohio transplants…so it seems to be justified. and last week nic and i had the pleasure of photographing the majority of this big happy family. even great grandma was in town to join the fun.
we met everyone at Pleasant Ridge Park. beautiful place, even exploring a mere fraction of it. the kids were so excited about being photographed. even little JR, who was teething and a bit under the weather, was a delight. so jennifer and kristin, thank you again for having us and we hope you and the rest of the family enjoy this quick peek…
little JR, sucking on his lips the entire afternoon. it was so cute and pitiful at the same time.
nathan...waiting anxiously with his two worms (the little rubber bait ones, thank goodness) to go fishing after the session was over.
mandy. the eyes on this one...i love them.
zach...such a cool kid. i promise to produce some with the skateboard in the gallery!
and finally...everyone
when someone says.. “hey, can you do me a favor” – while they are cutting your hair and putting highlights in.. . you say “SURE!!”.. i mean.. really, do i want to chance saying “no.. i sure can’t”.. thing is.. buffie wanted to get a session with her grandma who was going to be in town, her mother, and her kids – she has three.. three gorgeous, spirited, fun kids.. this time of year is pretty crazy busy – and while brandy and i are very careful not to overbook and to make sure we have time for reschedules, we really pack things in pretty tight from now until November.. WELL.. Buffie’s Grandma was only going to be in town for 3 days – the following week! seriously! I looked at my ever-present-blackberry.. and i had ONE 30 minute space of time on that Monday at exactly – 6:30.. Buffie – up for a challenge pulled it together!!
When I arrived, not only was Buffie’s family there, but here sister and kids were able to make it too.. and everyone was ready and CUTE!!!!! so SIX kids, 4 adults.. and a CAT!!! in 20 minutes.. Set up included.. it was fun, a bit chaotic, but it was sooooo them ..
you can try and try to make each image exactly perfect, but sometimes you have to just let the kids BE kids.. and then – well, i think it ends up even MORE perfecter.. yeah.. that’s right.. perfecter.. i love how committed Camden is in this picture!!!
and a group shot..
and yes, i do have some of everyone looking pretty and serious and at the camera..
and ps.. the wine was yummy..
we began planning for this session last – well, October? November? I can’t remember exactly, but I know it was just after their family session (remember, the twins.. so adorable here..). little did we think that mid August would be this crazy HOT! Warm, yes, but this muggy crazy humid heat, is just not normal for here!
The farm is just beautiful – though I nearly got dizzy following Brook out there – had to use my GPS to find my way back to 81!
After a bit of sweating in the sun, and wishing the sun would hide behind the clouds for just a few minutes – I got to know Rusty, Melissa, Nick, Z and Kate (so sorry nick and kate for messing up your names time and time again!!) horses, cows, dogs, sheep, a few random biker people on the creeper trail – and of course, poison ivy.. what would a session on a farm be with out poison ivy?? this family was so great – with my “let’s all stand HERE.. let’s all sit… OVER THERE.. jump up on that trailer.. “.. when they realized I was serious, they were all about it! it is never easy being “natural” and pretending to not be uncomfortable with someone you’ve just met taking pictures of you – but this family took it well!
here are a few shots that are my favorite – in the large groups, you know it’s IMPOSSIBLE to get everyone looking perfect – especially with the age range we had and the heat and the thomas the tank friends in the pictures.. but i sure love the imperfection of real life.. the kids being kids.. adults really smiling.. brothers and sisters BEING brothers and sisters..
the whole crew.. before we lost baker..
isn’t that just a pretty image?
a quick brother and sister shot… they were so fun to have in front of the camera.. kate (i kept calling her katie – apologies!) and lil bro Z.
little lauren – red cheeks.. note percy clutched in Drew’s left hand.. it was hot.. but they look like they are growing up so much here..
i just like this one..drew all giggles and miss lauren was all about being right where she is in this picture.. she is his girl!
a parting family shot..
lots of great images.. thanks for having me out and sharing the farm and your family with me – i loved it..
