So, I was thrilled when this opportunity came up, and we were able to exchanged services and photograph each others families.   This time in life goes so quickly.  I’m so glad I was able to capture it for this family!  Oh, and if you want to see a sneak peek of the pictures she took of my family – here’s the link.

After reading what mom wrote about this little guy, I was really looking forward to meeting them.   However, as I was driving to our session, I started to see dark clouds forming.  I began thinking through ways I would have to try and find light on this now-dreary day.   Then, I pulled up to the location, and literally the second I stopped the car, the rain drops started….and then grew heavier.  I had barely been able to say hello to the family before we each had to jump into our cars.    Neither of us knew what to do.  I was fine with rescheduling, but mom had told me that Evan only has a few good (happy) days a month, and this was one of them!   So, we all sat in our cars and stared at the sky, praying that God will take away the rain.   And, amazing, it was about 5 minutes later that I started to see the clouds breaking up and a bright blue sky showing through.  About 10 minutes later, the wind had totally blown the clouds away,  and we were out of our cars looking at a beautiful evening.

It was such a pleasure to meet sweet little Evan, and it was an even greater pleasure to see how absolutely loved he is.  His older brothers are so amazing with him – the way they talked to him, touched him and took care of him was so beautiful to see.    I was honored to meet such a wonderful family – they are each heroes to me!

Daniel and his mommy are ‘starting fresh’ in their lives, and these picture capture such a love and bond between them.

It was so nice to see baby Zachary and his family for Zach’s 3 month pictures.  He has changed so much from his infant session.  They even brought their very well behaved pup for the pictures!

The next family is one I absolutely love to photograph.  Mom doesn’t want super posed pictures – she wants to capture her kids’ personalities as they laugh, love, and have fun together.   These kids are just so cute too – this next picture is one of my all time favorites.  Just look at that expression!

And, last is little Brayton and his family.  I met Brayton about a year ago when he was in the middle of a serious battle for his life.   I’ve watched him grow and experience many setbacks along the way.  But, I’m so happy that he has finally overcome his illness, and his body is now able to grow the way a 2 year old should.  He is such a happy little boy who brings joy to everyone around him!

I had donated a gift certificate to the auction fundraiser of a very special group called SHARE.  It is a very touching organization that provides support to parents who have lost an infant.

This family won the certificate.  I had so many favorite pictures from our time together, that I just had to post them all!  Mom’s big request for their session was that I “capture the love we have for each other.”   Those are the best kind of sessions!  I love to set families up with an idea, or activity (like a giant leaf fight!) and just capture them as they play, laugh, and have fun with each other.   Those are the moments and the memories that are so meaningful to have.  Kids grow and change so fast.  I’m honored to be able to capture these special times for families so that they will never forget!

So, I go find a pair of mittens, and tell her she can hold the bunny.  He was pretty jumpy at first, but she was so happy.  She held that baby bunny for hours!  We talked about letting him go, but she got upset, so I decided he might as well stay until the next day.  We put him in a bucket with a little water, a carrot, and a towel.

The next morning, she went to the bucket so excited to hold the bunny again.  “Shhh,” she says as she picks him up.  “He’s sleeping.”   I looked closer and was surprised to see that he was not moving.  The little baby bunny had died.   That was the last thing I wanted my daughter to have to experience.  I knew she didn’t really know what death was.

We told her the bunny wasn’t coming back; he was asleep and not going to wake up.   She seemed to take it okay.  We found a little box and an old piece of material and put him inside.  Daddy dug a hole and she put the little box inside.  I was surprised that she didn’t seem to be reacting too much.

But, as soon as we started putting dirt on top of the little box, she bursts into tears.  She starts sobbing and doesn’t stop for probably 30 min.  This was one of those times we were ready to promise her anything.  Our poor little heartbroken girl….   She did seemed to forget about him for the afternoon, but at bedtime she looks at me and says, “Mommy, can I have the bunny after he is done being dead?”

This first family I have known a looong time – at least back to when I was in junior high!  And all these years they have remained such a fun family.  This picture below is one of my favorites of them.  Teenage boys are typically not too excited about family photo sessions…they aren’t into hugging  or showing affection, especially in front of a camera.  But, tell them to do a group hug, give a headlock, or tackle someone and they’ll usually give you a good picture!

This next family had boys that were younger, but were just as eager to tackle, jump and avoid posing for the camera.  :)