We were just at a little church activity last night where the question was asked, "if your house was on fire, what would you grab to take with you?" I think everyone's answer was "photos." That's our history right? That helps define who we are and where we've come from.
I did a little snapshot in words back here, and need to get on it again for 2016, but I wanted more than anything to have some pictures to capture how the relationships are in our family right now.
So it was a crazy thing when I was sifting through old emails earlier this month with my sister-in-law (organizational guru who I always hope will somehow rub off on me). She was trying to help me get rid of the old and get a system going so I can keep up on things a little better.
And right there in the middle of the jumble of emails I came across one from a photographer who offered to take pictures of our family.
Back in APRIL last year. (Yes, it goes without saying that I'm awful with emails.)
But I think it was meant to be that I came across that email right then. Because I looked up this photographer's website here: www.
I emailed her on the spot with our short time frame to see if there was a chance she could fit us in and she graciously (and quite amazingly) made some time for us.
It was a little nutty trying to whip up some things to wear last minute in the midst of getting Max ready to go, but we threw some things together and suddenly there we were, at this beautiful desert bird preserve with this ultra talented lady capturing our "together-ness."
You know how pictures can be kind of crazy and not the most fun thing in the history of the planet?
And you know how dads and boys almost never like to be in pictures? (I put the "almost" in there with "never" because there are a few exceptions...in all my years of family photography I think I met three dads who were super gung-ho about the picture taking process. Out of countless families, three isn't saying a lot!)
But you know what? Dave and Max were all smiles and didn't complain once. Erin is that awesome. She makes you feel so comfortable and great and is incredibly easy-going. (It helped that it was also my birthday...they are pretty malleable on my birthday :)
And you know what? I will love that Erin forever.
Because she caught things like this:
I mean, did you see Lucy up there?
Let's check her out again. Now that's a real smile. She obviously loved Erin too.
Sorry, I just can't stop!
She did some pretty awesome individual portraits as well:
...and I am in love with them all.
And one with the kids before we parted that golden evening:
Thank you forever, Erin!
And you know what? I will love that Erin forever.
Because she caught things like this:
And this:
And this just might be my favorite:
It's just so them.
I love the non-posed relationship-highlighting pictures.
And I love the regular posed ones too. Gotta have those as well and I adore this one:
I mean, did you see Lucy up there?
Let's check her out again. Now that's a real smile. She obviously loved Erin too.
She did some pretty awesome individual portraits as well:
Dave and I need to enlarge this one below and put it smack-dab in the center of our bedroom:
Or maybe that will just make us bawl every day.
So, today I'm here to say, find a way to capture family relationships. You will cherish those pictures forever. Mothers, make sure you're in the pictures and not just behind the camera all the time. And if you want someone pretty amazing to take them for you, contact Erin. Here's her website and blog again: www.
Be sure to check out the newborn and senior portfolios. Oh boy. But I warn you, if you never had IWAN before you may have it after you look at those gorgeous pics!
I couldn't resist snapping a picture of Erin in action at the end:
Thank you forever, Erin!