We took a family trip to the beach for the first time in 5 years this summer. I was so thankful to be able to get away (although I would have loved to stay a bit longer), and also to spend some quality time with these three.
One of them wanted to spend the week running as fast as they could away from all people. Whether that was out the door and down the street, down the beach, or away from the table and through the restaurant. …Can you guess which one I’m talking about??
Ok, sure, a lot of Atlanta winter nights are cold and/or rainy, but you know that during any given winter, you are going to get some lovely days. You don’t know exactly when they will occur, but when they do, everyone will be out at the parks, throwing frisbees in the short sleeves, and generally pretty happy about sunshine and a break from the season.
Well, we had several of those days last January – I’m just sorry that I’m just now posting them! Sure, January may be a little scary to book during – but look how well this turned out! We met at sunset on a weeknight, got this session done in no time, and we didn’t even need a jacket!
(February turned out to be our cold month in 2014, but that’s not part of this story.)
I had so much fun with this family! And look! Are they not the cutest things ever? I posted a preview of baby’s face on my facebook page way back then and claimed that just looking at it would make your day better – it’s still true.
The last time I saw these guys made for one of my earlier blog posts, but you can see it here! They were a family of 4 then, and brother had big blonde curls. They all had fun together, big sister was even able to laugh hard at herself when her brother mowed her down during a race (a hard elbow and her flying through the air were caught on camera). Thanks, P Family for fighting the traffic and coming out to meet me on a winter night!
I first met E when she was only 8 days old for an at-home lifestyle session with her parents, and I was so excited to see her again exactly one year later for her first birthday! It’s amazing how one year flies by for me, but how it brings so much change for a little one. You can see her newborn session here – for a little before and after peak.
E was surrounded by family (mom and dad plus grandparents and aunt) and lots of friends! Her family put on a great party, with a photo station, and a baby play area, and of course Christmas scenes and trains (this one is from December!) that you’ll see one sad little boy had just been told not to touch when I snapped a picture.
Here’s a little overview of the party!
Ok, so I lied yesterday when I said I had posted my last 2014 session!
I looked back and saw that there was also this teeny-tiny little mini-session. And perhaps 3 bigger sessions after it in December still to come… oh well. I thought I was there!
This is a very mini min for a family with 2 teenage boys. I was home visiting my parents, and these are their neighbors across the street; we met in front (and in back) of their house one morning to get these photos for their Christmas card. 🙂
Now, I know you can’t believe it, as young as I appear to look, but I used to babysit these 2 boys when the younger one was only 2 years old! And now they are sophmores – in high school and in college! That little 2-year-old towers over me and the entire family now. And let me tell you, he was THE cutest thing ever. I’ll never forget the first time I walked into babysit, and older brother was jumping up and down on the sofa, and younger brother was charging at a chair, head down, running into it, falling down, getting back up, and charging again. Yep, these were boys. But sweet little guys, too. 🙂
I don’t think family photos are every teen boy’s dream, so I made a fool out of myself for these little smiles in the image of just the 2 of them!
Ok, I’m finally finishing off blog posts from 2014!
This one was in early December; after last year’s fall photos and colors, I suggested we do something more Christmasy, and I love the way it turned out! I had to thank the people at this tree farm, who were so willing to let us be there.
These three little ones are the ones I know best – my sister’s children. And although she hadn’t intended it, I talked her into having a few parent shots as well. I’m so glad they have some of themselves in the shots, too!
I had 2 main goals here: The first was targeted at the middle child, their 3-year-old. I had seen some extended family photos they had done a couple of months before, and while everyone was arranged beautifully (which is hard to do with the number of people you have in extended families!) this little girl had the same expression on her face in every photo – her half-hearted attempt at a smile, which is to have the corners of her mouth stretched out wide and turned down. So, the first goal was none of that! To capture her little face as it truly looks at 3. For this there was a lot of interacting with her without the camera in front of my face, which meant I had a fraction of a second to bring it up, compose and focus and hope for the best… I realize now I ended up with more of her than the others – but she was much more willing than her little brother. 🙂
The other goal was for this to be relaxed and fun. And it was! It really shows through when everyone is just enjoying themselves; I love that we captured so much of their true personalities to remember.
Here’s just a sample.
