The Day Family
I've definitely been neglecting my poor little blog during these last few busy months. When I shot this family I knew right away that I needed to get them on here (for several reasons).
First - Courtney. A gorgeous mama with the sweetest spirit. Not only that, she is am extremely talented photographer from the area whose path I'm so happy to have crossed recently. Since I've met her she has been nothing but kind and supportive, which can be hard to find in the photographer world. This job can feel a little bit isolating at times, and finding someone that you connect with both as an artist and as a friend is extremely encouraging. This fall we decided to do a "session swap" so that both of us mamas could be IN some photos with our boys. And oh my, I can't say enough how grateful I am for the gift that she has given me in the moments she captured with my baby boy and husband. It reminds me again why I fell in love with photography and why I am doing what I'm doing. Preserving memories for my family is so important to me, and what Courtney documented for us is absolutely priceless. I am forever thankful to her!
Another reason I've been itching to get them on the blog is because well, let's be honest - they look like they've come straight out of a magazine! I don't know how many times I commented on how cute Jack and Charlie were and how beautiful Courtney looked. These four were so comfortable with one another and in front of the camera, it made my job so effortless. I know it can't hurt that Courtney does a great job at documenting their lives, so her boys are used to being in front of the camera. But it was so much more than that.. What made it so wonderful was that they were simply enjoying being with one another. It was heartwarming, to say the least.
In a world that can be a bit scary and worrisome at times (especially as a parent, I'm realizing), it is uplifting to see the good in the world. I'm lucky to get to see that on a daily basis in the families I get to meet and capture. It always reminds me what is most important, above everything else... Love. Loving your family, your friends, and your neighbor. Loving those in need and loving the unlovable. Love has the power to propel change in ways we can't even imagine. If we want to see a change in this world, it starts with love. And what can we do about it? Start with loving the person right next to you.
Watching this family, it was so evident how important it is to them to love each other well. From the way they talked to one another to the way they showed their affection, it was clear that love is the foundation that holds them together. Courtney and Michael are leading their family with that in mind. They are modeling to their boys what it means and what it looks like to love and serve others. I can't help but wonder what these boys will be like twenty years from now.. Who they will become. It gives me so much hope in knowing that parents like these two are putting in the hard work, day in and day out, to raise Godly men that know what it means to love like Jesus loves. And to know that one day these boys will be the men of our country and men that will continue to bring a positive change in our world.
Courtney and Michael, thank you so much for asking me to capture your family. It was truly an honor, and I'm grateful for the little lessons you all taught me (without even knowing it). :)
