All for 2

I do love big families. I grew up one of 8 and so there's something that feels like home to me amidst the happy chaos, the constant noise, the seventeen conversations at once in a seven seater automobile, the always army-sized pots and pans, the sudden silence when the food finally comes, the three dozen personalities around the dinner table kind of mayhem, the endless bickering that is really steadfast love, the feeling of gratefulness and wow, such marvel, when you look around your bounteous brood, in sickness and in health, and realize, yes, indeed, all of this is mine, to keep, to lean on, to learn from forever. Many things will change us, but we start and end with family.

You may compliment my camera, my fancy schmancy lenses, my eye, a setting, this light, but honestly, nothing is more important in this awesome job of mine than people management. No, I don't really think of it like that, but quite frankly, as far as this profession goes, if you can't work with kids, can't understand complex family dynamics, can't deal with crowds, can't find the patience in your soul to wipe another booger, make a mockery of yourself acting like a jungle cat, understand, accept, forgive, encourage, try and try and fail and try again to make them laugh, and please oh please keep smiling yourself all the while, well, then, all the fancy schmancy lenses and expensive cameras in the world will only get you so far.

But, man, I love this job and I especially love the family reunion shoots. 

This weekend past I had the great pleasure to capture 28 beautiful individuals, coming together for the heads of their tribe's 65th wedding anniversary. Years ago, I met someone who was married for 75 years and since then, Steve and I have idealistically held-fast to that as our forever goal, so 65 seems pretty terrific to me. 

In case you were wondering what to give these guys for this epic anniversary, I looked it up. Turns out it's blue sapphire, followed by (in 5 year increments) platinum, diamond & gold (for our coveted 75th), oak and then wine for the 85th anniversary! Good to know!

These wedded love birds pictured below were so young, so in love, and so kind to one another and their tremendous tribe. What a great gift, blue sapphires aside, for them to have their loved ones all at arms length, each of them, on this special occasion. I enjoyed getting to know every member of this group, each piece of the puzzle, each facet of this family. And as ever, it was an honor to be asked to help them capture this day, this year, this life. Truly.

Here is just a selection of all the different photos we gathered to pass onto the many future generations from our afternoon together. A truly great session is comprised of some candids, some posed, some formal, some fun, some close-ups, some not, some serene and some silly shots. All planned, and yet not at all. Safe to say, we have a little bit of them all!

 Enjoy...

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