Grandparents- the best friends we never knew we had!

A family portrait is one of the most priceless heirlooms one can possess.  “Where do I begin”, This is the question I have asked myself for over two weeks since we photographed this sweet family.  This session touched Sam and I’s heart in so many ways.  We were so honored when we were contacted by Katie once again this  year for family portraits; this time the entire family was participating.  Sam and I were happy to capture these sweet grandparents in action just being themselves.  Grandparents are perhaps the most important thing a kid can have in their life.

Our main goal in this session was to capture the love Al (aka Grandpa Bear) had for his family and of course it wasn’t hard at all to capture the returned love from his wife, children and grandchildren- he’s a pretty lovable guy.  Even Sam couldn’t stop talking about him on the drive home.  He and Sam just chatted the entire time, they were just having a good old time like any two friends would.  He was walking around the park and trying to keep up with a 2 and 5 year old and it was just the sweetest thing you could ever see.  Kudos to a family that will meet you at Brackenridge Park before the sun even rises so that we can have it all to ourselves for awhile!  We had so much fun getting to know Grandpa Bear Al and the rest of the family.  We loved all the cuddles and hugs grandpa and grandma received from their sweet grandchildren.  Little Connor was practically inseparable from his grandparents.  Aside from traditional family portrait poses, if you know me, then you know that my favorite images are those candid portraits.  The photos where no one is looking at the camera, the ones that show true love in action (like the laughter on the train- which is one of my favorites from the session).

I think for a second Sam and I were caught up in all the fun and togetherness of this family that there was a second where we looked over at each other and both felt a little sadness.  And I say sadness in the most flattering way to this family, sadness because Sam and I both have felt that void of a traditional family. Both of our parents divorced when we were kids, so for us it’s almost unreal to witness that kind of love in a family.  That is the kind of love we hope to give to our own son.  Never being able to witness that much closeness in our own life made this session all the more special to us.  Sam and I even hinted to Al that we were looking for a grandpa to rent for our own son, who has only met one of his grandfather’s twice.  Grandparents are the best friends we never knew we had.  I am blessed that both my mother, grandmother and Sam’s mother are some of my sons best friends and all though they are miles apart, not a day goes by without him hearing one of their voices, he can be on the phone with them all day long if I let him.

Thank you so much to Al and his family for allowing us in to capture these intimate moments with them.  With so much going on in life its good to take a break and just relax and have some good old fun at the park.  I hope that this post has encouraged you to take those photos- because  every moment is precious.  Every moment with your loved ones is worth documenting.  When is the best time to take a family photo? If you ask me I will say its now, it’s today.  You never know what tomorrow will bring so just do it now.  Our hope when photographing families is not only being able to deliver them beautiful portraits but also being able to deliver them a memory.  A priceless memory that you can look back on and smile. We want you to remember how special that day was and how much fun you had.  Being a photographer constantly reminds me to be grateful for each moment, each person, each day. Sam and I are grateful to have been part of such a fun day with this family and we hope to do it again soon!