Category: My Family

It’s funny how life comes at you in cycles.  This family served me in a huge way while I was in Kazakhstan for a few years with a well-known campus ministry (I can’t give the name for security reasons).  They were constantly doing the behind-the-scenes thankless work that allowed us to be effective overseas.  When they asked me to do this portrait for them, I knew this would be a winner.  I’m no expert with toddlers, so getting good expressions can be a big challenge.  The parents brought Grandma and Grandpa along (who have also served me in huge ways), which was a huge WIN because they are the true experts on how to get these kids to smile, and they also got in a few shots as well.  I would highly recommend bringing your parents to these sessions (if it’s OK with the photographer – I welcome it!).  I have taken literally thousands of almost-great photos ruined because a parent IN the photo was trying to help coax a non-frown out of a kid, but ruining their own expression or pose in the process.  Given the nature of kids, I shoot usually about 800-1000 photos in the 1 hour sessions, and I end up keeping about 150 of them.  I’ve created an online gallery with all the keepers on this site.  To see a slideshow with music, click here.  These are a few of my favorites:

I know you wanted to see more of those shoes!

She’s gonna be such a heartbreaker!

They definitely haven’t lost that lovin’ feeling.

Grandma and Grandpa, such great role models for all of us!

It’s not how many teeth you have, it’s how you use them!

This is my favorite light to shoot in –  plus a great location doesn’t hurt.

These kids were awesome.

Thanks guys!  Don’t forget to watch the slideshow.

This was not just another family portrait, we all really had a blast.  This was at Salt Creek Beach, which I will probably use again in the near future.  Check out the slideshow too!

So I could have posted just 12 photos of this one, but it wouldn’t have been fair.  Kids care about fairness way more than adults do!

This was a jumping contest, not a flying kick.  The big sis clearly won.

Thanks guys for the opportunity to capture your family!  There’s a slideshow here for your viewing pleasure.  The photos are available for purchase here.

I had the privilege of spending some time getting to know the Fieldhouses earlier this week.  They are friends of friends, and they are such a cool family!  They picked out the coolest park to shoot in, and the kids were totally cool in how they interacted and stayed “with us”.  Tira J shot alongside me, and she beat me to the punch blogging this here.  Here are a few of my favorite shots, and when you’ve look at them, have a look at this little slideshow I put together (it has music, so turn your sound on).

Tira got this shot of me in action.  I was explaining that the kids are really in charge, and that its success depends on them.  Anyone who shoots kids regularly knows this is true!

Don’t forget to watch the slideshow!  Click on the play button below to see it.

Friends and family – if you are interested in getting prints or digital downloads of some of these, click here to view my online photo albums.