The Griffith Family

This is the family that reads together. Everywhere you turn there are piles of books, halloween books on display, and children piled on laps hearing a book being read. It was a dream. I've always wanted my children to love reading and this grandma shows the way- have books all over the house and read to children often. This family came together to celebrate some special birthdays. The kids put on a little show complete with a short play and music, and then they went around the room and everyone took turns telling each birthday person what made them special.  The best part of my job is being able to witness these traditions and document them for my clients, oh, and bank them away in my brain for my family. The kids then spent the rest of the evening playing in the back yard with their beloved and favorite uncle. I'm not actually sure he is the favorite but it was clear they all adore him and he was so good with them. It was everything you would dream that Sunday dinner at Grandma and Grandpa's house would be, complete with gifted pumpkins at the front porch and cuddles on the couch with a good book.

Sweet Baby James' First Bath

I'm finally getting to editing some of my earliest documentary photos, the ones where I would just bring my camera everywhere with me and ask people if I could hijack their family experiences.

These dear friends of mine were gracious enough to save their sweet baby's first bath at home until I was there with my camera. I will be forever grateful to all the friends and family who have supported me in my silly photo schemes.
This handsome little man was so fun to photograph! And he has the cutest little cry. Ugh, the way his little chin crinkled and his little bottle lip puckered out.... My heart aches just thinking about it!

Watching these two bathe their baby James with such care brought back all those familiar new parent feelings. Sleep deprivation, love, overwhelm and the sense that the  whole world of this new little soul rests on your inexperienced shoulders, and that feeling of "we did it!" after each thing you face as new parents. Maybe it was the exhaustion or the roller coaster of emotions, but I distinctly remember my husband and I nitpicking about how to do it the "right way" as we gave our baby boy one if his first baths. Of course we both thought our way was the "right way."  hahah! Ok it was mostly me... We all know my husband doesn't nitpick, and I'm the one that thinks there is a "right way" to do everything In my feelings of inadequacy, I was trying so hard to do everything just so. And now, a year later, I realize I will always feel inadequate, just trying to do the best that I know how, feeling like the whole world of this little soul rests on my incapable shoulders.  Isn't being a parent grand!?

I love photographing these moments! Thank you Sheridan and Brian for letting me into your home and your world for that brief moment.

Willdens Photojournaling session (Video)

I used to think putting photos in a slideshow with music was outdated.... But documentary photos from one day in someone's life feels so different... The music and images working together to tell the story draws the viewer in and bring that day back to life. 

I just love seeing the whole story unfold, because there is so much more behind the couple in this video, so much more than the portrait. As I watch this video I am reminded exactly how it felt to be in the Willden's home, the years of memories and travels, the love between this couple and the love for their children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. I can remember how the room lit up when Emma would smile and I felt when she would hug her great granddaughter. I rembeber feeling the pride Ron had as he showed me his homemade wines and the furniture he made throughout the house, the nostalgia of the many items and memories shared about each. Watching this story in a video brings that all back and I love it! 

The Willdens - Coming Home

This is story about a house, rather a home, and the wife and husband, mother and father, grandmother and grandfather who live there. This is a story about the Emma and Ron Willden. As I listened to stories of family dinners on the back patio, seeing grandpa making his own wine, and grandma throwing her pots, I could sense the years and decades of life and love this house held. When their granddaughter contacted me she expressed such sadness that her grandparents would soon be moving from their lifelong home.

Visiting the Willden's home, Emma and Ron can be found sitting at the kitchen counter, Ron reading the newspaper and Emma doing the puzzles in the back.This is how I found them that day, at the kitchen counter, leaning over the paper. In my time with them I realized they have developed their routines of togetherness (each having their own spot on the couch, Ron watching the tv while Emma did her needlework), and yet they've maintained their own hobbies and passions separate from one another.

They showed me the things they love to do, took turns telling me what whey remember about how they met, and told me the stories of the various rooms and items throughout their home, many handmade by one of them. Ron was so eager to show me downstairs where he made his wine, developed film and printed photos, did his wood work and geology work. Emma, on the other hand, was less comfortable having me there following her around. She was humble and didn't see the need for the paparazzi. I worried that I wouldn't have enough photos of her and her hobbies, but it became clear to me that although she was a potter, and made amazing cross stitches, her current passion and love was her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She has such a charismatic, and playful personality and it came out whenever she interacted with her great granddaughter.

Although this home held the stories and memories, it is clear that Emma and Ron were the ones that made the house what it was and although they moved shortly after this session the connections and love would remain with them.