Hey there! This is my very first blog post! I hope you enjoy this read and find it some what entertaining and helpful.
I started this hazy morning with a sunrise couple’s session at the beach at 7am. Caught the morning golden hour together with some fog and lots of humidity (bummer) it was hot and we couldn’t feel the breeze of the ocean. I was hired by Abigail initially just for a couples session. Then she hired me for a beach mini for her parents: Humberto and Imelda, lovely couple who I posted a few weeks ago. Then another session for her sister Imelda and her family - The Gonzalez - Gomez Family.
I decided to make this blog post in regards to Imelda’s family session. Don’t get me wrong, I am obsessed with Abigail & Solomon’s session! However, editing Imelda’s family session really had me deep in my thoughts. This family is the epitome of BEAUTIFUL CHAOS. It was raw, it was so real and it was fun. You may see all smiles and giggles, but there was also a moment where little Remi I believed may have felt a bit overwhelmed and out of his comfort zone - like I said: BEAUTIFUL CHAOS. I will get to this part further down.
I am always nervous before a session. ALWAYS. When I first saw Imelda… I immediately felt a sense of relief and comfort. I believe, because she is her mother’s twin! I worked with her parents a couple weeks prior to this day. She resembles her so much and I sensed she would also have somewhat the same personality as her and I wasn’t wrong. I started the session with Imelda and her little boy Remi. Remi, I knew was a little more shy and nervous. I get it. He doesn’t know me, but who else better than his mama to comfort him and make him feel safe. I prompted Imelda to engage with him. After a few kisses and a short short walk along the water Remi began to feel more comfortable. Imelda understood the assignment. She wasn’t expecting him to be still and perfect. She made sure he felt safe. This ladies, is what I expect you to do at our sessions. Nothing more. I don’t expect perfection, I don’t expect your children to be still and “well behaved”. In the moments of Imelda comforting Remi… I was able to capture Remi being the sweetest mama’s boy he could be. It was genuine. It wasn’t forced and it was lovely and guess what? Imelda will have this memory captured to hold and cherish forever.
Mckenzie & Remi. What can I say? I think girls are a little easier to work with. They love the spotlight and photos and twirls with mom and dad and some fun with their younger siblings. Me on the other hand… I kept calling her Michaela! Oh… that’s something you’ll have to deal with me! I am terrible with names! Remi, you know boys… they want adventure and fun and I gave it to him. I set up a few games to keep him moving and having fun and bust out some giggles with mom, dad and Mckenzie. Kids don’t need to be still for a photo. The best ones are the ones where they feel safe, comfortable and are in a state of genuine happiness. Like I said… mamas… don’t stress, let them be.
Imelda and Roger. I gotta give dad some credit. He was very involved and active in this session as well. From skipping with the kids, piggy back rides and princess twirls with Mckenzie. He did it all! Anyway, I always focus on mom and dad as well during a family session, because we may want photos of our little ones only, but I guarantee you our children will also appreciate photos of their parents when they grow up and it’s important to me to capture you both so they can one day hold on to memories of mom and dad. I prompted Imelda and Roger for some romance and Imelda randomly did this funny and awkward thing - complete opposite of what I asked and it had us all laughing! I loved it! It was REAL! She was being herself with her favorite person. As I prompted some “romantic” poses for mom and dad alone - Imelda said: “Ain’t nobody got time for that!” Again, super funny! Sure enough, ain’t no parent got time for that! As soon as Mom and dad got together Remi had a moment. He wasn’t about to share mom with dad! Luckily, tia Abigail was close enough to save the day and lend Remi a phone.
I’m telling you all… these moments will happen. Babies will cry, toddlers will have their moments and teenagers will roll their eyes and it’s okay! There’s beauty in the chaos when it comes to family. Look at these images… what do you see? I see a happy family. I see healthy and happy children. I scrolled through the images and remembered that day. Remi may have had a moment, but look at this. When these babies look back at these images… they will see and remember a dad who skipped with them, a dad who loved mom and a mom who loved them and made them feel safe. Moms and dads… book the session. Time is a thief; you will want to remember what it was like when you held those tiny little hands and those moments your children let you love on them.
Imelda may not have time for romance but, Roger between the laughter Imelda caused us to have sneaked in a few kisses and I was all for it and Imelda wasn’t complaining. Hmmm…. truth is: Everyone has time for a little bit of love! Let me capture it!
