Working through these images was tons of fun for me.  This family has let me photograph them over the years and their relaxed vibe with fun, spirited kids is always a recipe for success.  We started with a few pictures inside when I arrived.  I had a first...photographing a guinea pig...I can see a coffee table book in my future.  A very cute subject, elevated by the most loving care giver ever.  The first set of her brother illustrates where we started...a little shy and unsure.  It didn't take long for him to warm up and have me rolling with laughter right along with him.  I always love watching young siblings try to hug each other...never picture perfect, but always filled with more love and emotion than the nice, soft hug.  Since we were in their backyard, capturing a few "at play" pics were essential.  These kids are stunning on the outside which mirrors their beautiful personalities.  LOVE this family and am thankful they continue to ask me to document their family!!

These pictures make me smile for so many reasons.  First, the kids were a little unsure/shy when we first started out.  What kids aren't?  They quickly eased into things and soon uncontrollable laughter followed.  In the beginning, they we not really into the idea of being photographed and mid-way through, they were ducking into each other's picture (black and white on the stairs) and asking me to follow them to a spot to take more pictures.  As we were nearing the end of the shoot, something upsetting happened to the youngest.  Every parent's nightmare in the midst of a paid sitting.  But I LOVED it because it gave me a chance to capture the beautiful exchange with her dad and the laughter that quickly followed.  These parents were wonderfully relaxed and let the magic rise to the surface.  Magic doesn't happen in the first minutes (sometimes leading to an anxious filled time for parents), but it always emerges, even when it seems the wheels may fall off.  The wheels never even wobbled with this foursome and it was so much fun!  These pictures are in chronological order...the first two taken with in the first five minutes and the last was the very last image taken.

Fall's canvas

The stars aligned for this family's sitting.  I had a last minute sitting time available, rain was not in forecast and my most favorite fall color spot in the city was at its peak.  We had a great time exploring this little known gem in Seattle.  And the canvas of colors the trees provided was stunning.
I have to admit, I love all these pictures, but my most favorites are of the parents alone.  Before couples have kids, they have countless pictures together.  For most couples, that changes when their kids arrive on the scene.  The camera is always focused on the kids and the only pictures of a couple may be from a company holiday party or a quick phone snap out on the town.  I love seeing this couple embrace.  It is important to capture the bond that was the genesis to families.  These ones make me smile.  I hope they love them too.

Another beautiful fall day with fabulous kids. I know the 3 pictures of them altogether are similar but I love what is going on in each of them that I wanted to share them all. Their mom just ROCKED her first marathon in NYC...they must be so proud of her, way to go Shannon!!