Being able to spend time with our clients, telling the story of their life as close to their “natural habitat” is generally our first inclination to starting our extended lifestyle family sessions. We do this so all the people participating (with a focus on our either smallest or most vulnerable clients) feel comfortable – in their own skin, with their people, in an environment that is inclusive and familiar. We often start in the home and then adventure to an agreed upon favorite place.
Sometimes the family’s Matriarch is “home”, no further questions needed. We love when what we see is just that, truth. We were able to join and celebrate in this beautiful gathering given Julie’s recent move to Seattle. Her family just swarmed her in the most loving way, adding to that vibe of being home, being with their Mom: the newest badass resident of Seattle, a Mother in Law, a Grandmother, and so many other categories that she can tick the proverbial boxes to define her being.
So we convened this incredible family – this mama and her four boys, and their families… and we played at Lincoln Park in West Seattle. Swings, frisbees, rock throwing, and general musing on what a beautiful opportunity this was – to connect, to play, to show up in love… and allow for us to capture some imagery that reflects the joy, connecting, and meaning of this family.
The afternoon spent with this extended, multi-cultural and intentional family for a session that shared the mom, grandma, friend was one for the books. We are nimble and experienced enough to step away from our “typical” family sessions when it’s in the name of love, and connection, community and celebration… and the imagery doesn’t suffer as a result. There’s the same love, the same energy, a lil more communication and coordination and the emotion, joy, and keepsakes of visual assets are not compromised in the process. The beauty and essence of your family remains.
Thank you, Julie and your gorgeous family for inviting us into the fold to commemorate this moment in time for your big, beautiful family. It was a pleasure getting to know your story and meet each of you while you were in Seattle, settling in.
