State Fair, Take Three

The color and energy in these photographs perfectly match the way this family shines. And shine they do. It's not just that they're beautiful, though they are. It's not just that they have great style, though they do (side note: mom Somer made the kids' t-shirts... love that). It's that they show up fully alive. They show up wearing their love for each other. They show up with a willingness to be themselves in front of my camera. That creates a warmth in the way we connect that photographs well regardless of backdrop, activity and interaction. Everything I love about my work shows up in these photos, and I'm already excited for next year. It's such an honor to witness this family in all their amazingness. This is the finale of my State Fair of Texas mini-sessions and third blogs in two days. I'm trying to share some of the incredible sessions I've had the privilege of photographing this fall. More to come next week!

State Fair, Take Two

If any story can be redeemed, which I believe to be possible, then the car accident that led to the premature arrival of baby Claire (the youngest of this foursome) had an element of redemption in the way friends rallied around the family during that time. I was more of a friend-of-a-friend back then, with mutual relationships connecting us. I'd done their photos before, but Claire and her mama needed a little help, and I had a little time. So help I did. And now we are friends, a sliver of redemption perhaps. Maybe it's presumption to make this speculation, as I did not suffer through the pain and challenges caused by the accident. But I can't help but think that the way friendships form and thrive in the midst of hard things puts a stout solidity in their foundation. For this I am grateful. I'm also grateful for a beautiful day at the fair with my friends. We rode rides and weathered crowds. We ate funnel cake and fed animals. We made plans and re-planned based on better, more thrilling activities. And I think (I hope) I captured the blend of relationships that is siblings who are oftentimes also friends on a super fun day for a kid or four. The State Fair of Texas is an institution, and that we got to do this year's portraits there gives a little more fun to the photo session punch. I always love sharing photographs from a session, but when those photos are of friends, the sharing is that much richer. Just love these beautiful kids!