Sibs

This week I had the pleasure of playing with Ellie


and Brennan.


Ellie and Brennan are fun. Ellie and Brennan are cute. Ellie and Brennan are pinchable.


I had to keep reminding myself that this one is just four. He carries himself like such a little dude.




Sweetness.


Fierce!


And dear me, the look she gives when I ask her for "sad."


Yep. Cute.



I was blessed to leave the hot, sticky inland temps for an evening at the breezy beach. I think they felt the same way!


Thanks, guys! Your proofs will be up shortly!

What it's Like

There's a statement that's made over and over again by new generations of parents as they discover for themselves just how true the words are:

Every child is different.

And yet, all these perfectly unique personalities go through the same set of developmental stages as everyone else. Universality meets individuality. It's one of the most fascinating parts of my job, an element that was largely unexpected and so much fun - spending just an hour or two with these BIG personalities contained in small little bodies, and observing how they interact with their world. (Throw in birth order and sibling interaction, and I'm reminded why I considered switching majors in college. I love this stuff.)

Last week, I got to meet Mason.


Mason is (almost) two, and his pictures tell that story well:

Fruit snacks and wagon rides



Sand and shadow play



Little parts that are somewhere between baby and boy








Spunky expressions: no vocab needed here



His place in the family



The freedom to run down the beach, knowing that Mom and Dad are right behind him.



And of course, cracking a few "jokes." Ah, two-year-old humor.


Working on your photos, Dobb family. Can't wait to show you the rest!

Let it Be

If there is one blanket statement I can make about taking photos of children, it is this:

They keep you on your toes.

(Actually, scratch the "taking photos" part... adding little ones to any situation makes it more interesting.)

For some photographers, adding the kiddo variable is something they'd rather not do. The posed family photo is, after all, nearly IMPOSSIBLE with an uncooperative tyke. But even in my four years of experience with my own little ones, I have picked up a number of tricks. Chief among them:

Go with it.



If Abby wants to play over in the beach grass, go for it!




If Lily would rather hang back with daddy, great!




And if Kyla isn't really feeling pictures tonight...



Let it be.



She'll come around.






Thanks for the opportunity to play with your little ladies! Your proofs are almost ready!

Chrimily, Part I

Two years ago (wow, was that TWO YEARS ago?!) I did an after-the-fact engagement session for my brother and new sister-in-law up in Port Austin where our family vacations every summer. When Christian and Emily (lovingly referred to as Chrimily) announced that they were officially engaged this spring, we were stoked for MANY reasons! Another Port Austin engagement shoot was icing on the cake.


There was only a little trespassing.


But it was necessary.



Awww... my baby brother and his beautiful bride-to-be...


Honestly, is there a better place to take pictures?





But wait, there's more! I'm still working on our pre-beach sesh in downtown Port Austin... coming soon!

Discovery on the Third Coast

When their mama contacted me about doing a family session while they were in town this summer, I couldn't have anticipated a more delightful evening than we had last week on the shores of Lake Michigan.

Bright struck out on his own



Daddy followed with Zion and Brave (see that chubby little foot?)



and we found a few spots to snap some family photos.


But the shore holds so much discovery for three little boys, and the evening had only just begun. The ladybugs were abundant, and Bright was eager to be an insect jungle gym.



Zion was a little more hesitant, but a little brother has to keep up, you know.


However, the swing was another story entirely.



The three boys have distinct, tender, endearing personalities, and the opportunity to be allowed into their worlds to capture them is a privilege I don't take lightly. It's an incredible job.


Bright in the big big world



Sweet Zion, finding his place
(You're killin' me here, kid.)



...and little Brave, content and happy right where he is.


My, but little boys are fun!





...and these two look more like they're doing an engagement session than wrangling three little boys.




Thank you so much for the opportunity to share an evening with you, Rupp family. I'm looking forward to sharing the photographs with you!