Call me conspicuously delinquent, but we haven't taken family photos in over three years. Ugh, it pains me to type that. I don't know why or what the hang up was, but after Scotty's first birthday, we just kind of forgot about it. Life kept rolling along and my crappy iPhone camera seemed to suffice. Mind you, images of the three of us all together are few and far between. We know we are a family; that's the important thing, right?
Well, cue my very talented and clever friend Jessica. She was on Communications Committee the year I chaired, and I honestly would have been lost without her design help and photography skills. She recently started a little photography business, and I'm so glad she is now offering her exceptional skill set to the general public.
Our original plan was to frolic in the snow on Mount Charleston with mugs of hot cocoa. The weather, however, had other ideas. Having worked up there for three years, I can tell you definitively: if you can't see the mountain, you shouldn't be on the mountain. Those low hanging, ominous clouds looked terribly foreboding. Combined with whipping, unforgiving winds, our snow-date got shelved and we decided to keep indoors.
The best thing about Jess is that she makes you feel comfortable immediately. We are not the easiest family to photograph. I like to micro manage, Brian's natural smile takes a bit of coercing, and Scotty was on silliness overload. Somehow, she pulled us together with some gentle guidance and the promise of tiny marshmallows. She also made our house look pretty good. You can barely see the crumbs ground into the rug. Twinkling Christmas lights, anyone?
Well, cue my very talented and clever friend Jessica. She was on Communications Committee the year I chaired, and I honestly would have been lost without her design help and photography skills. She recently started a little photography business, and I'm so glad she is now offering her exceptional skill set to the general public.
Our original plan was to frolic in the snow on Mount Charleston with mugs of hot cocoa. The weather, however, had other ideas. Having worked up there for three years, I can tell you definitively: if you can't see the mountain, you shouldn't be on the mountain. Those low hanging, ominous clouds looked terribly foreboding. Combined with whipping, unforgiving winds, our snow-date got shelved and we decided to keep indoors.
The best thing about Jess is that she makes you feel comfortable immediately. We are not the easiest family to photograph. I like to micro manage, Brian's natural smile takes a bit of coercing, and Scotty was on silliness overload. Somehow, she pulled us together with some gentle guidance and the promise of tiny marshmallows. She also made our house look pretty good. You can barely see the crumbs ground into the rug. Twinkling Christmas lights, anyone?
O boy...
And as you can see, your kid is still your kid, even on family photo day.
And you are still you. Brian and I had the unfortunate mistake of staying out a wee bit too late on Friday. It was date night! There was an Irish bar involved! I'm still in post-marathon celebration mode! (how long is she going to keep talking about that damn marathon? you wonder...Forever, I reply) and that made for a rough morning. As Jess snapped photos for lighting and Brian made a quick run to CVS for Advil, she captured this winner.
And you are still you. Brian and I had the unfortunate mistake of staying out a wee bit too late on Friday. It was date night! There was an Irish bar involved! I'm still in post-marathon celebration mode! (how long is she going to keep talking about that damn marathon? you wonder...Forever, I reply) and that made for a rough morning. As Jess snapped photos for lighting and Brian made a quick run to CVS for Advil, she captured this winner.
Not impressed with this early hour...
Just call me McKayla Maroney. I was not impressed with how slowly the coffee was brewing. Or the pounding in my head.
But the goods worked their magic and Brian and I quickly perked up.
I quite like this one. I feel a bit like the Queen Mother. Yes, royal subjects, please stand while I remain seated...
I quite like this one. I feel a bit like the Queen Mother. Yes, royal subjects, please stand while I remain seated...
Prince George Bear?
Or this one. I didn't tell Jess, but this is the train my dad made for Scotty. Having it in the photos was incredibly important to me. She seemed to grasp its emotional significance almost intuitively, and it's in practically every shot.
We even headed out to a nearby tree farm for some outdoor shots once the weather improved.
Yup, that's our kid.
I cant' tell you the excitement of seeing our little family all together in one shot. Thank you, Jessica!
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