Family photos at home

Spring Lake, Michigan
Family photos

Thank you to the Cagney Family for another family session! Documenting this family through the years, with all of their new adventures and growing babies, has been so fun and special. It’s a treat to get photos with Nan and Scratch when they visit from Perth, Australia, for the holidays. Looking at these photos, I hope they will remember Brooks’ obsession with Bluey, which makes her dance and laugh and forget about the stranger crouching in the corner snapping photos. I hope they remember Nan and Scratch playing Uno with Smith and having a tea party with Brooks.

In case you missed the last family sessions:
https://lookatthebiggerpicture.com/blog/grandparents-family-session
https://lookatthebiggerpicture.com/blog/newborn
https://lookatthebiggerpicture.com/blog/family-newborn-spring-lake-mi

Thank you, Karri and Brett, for continuing to trust me with your lovely family, wonderful chaos and all.
Enjoy the preview and your full gallery is coming…

Ice Skating Engagement! Caitlin and Matt

Grand Rapids, MI
Rosa Parks Circle

Congratulations Caitlin and Matt! What a fun day for ice-skating in the city! It was actually beautiful, warm(er) for Michigan in February, and the sun was out. These two are so cool (not just because they were ice skating! Hee hee). Their warm personalities make you feel like you've been friends for years. I instantly connected with these two. Smiles, jokes, a little insecurity about skating and falling on your arse (Caitlin)... I am so excited for this couple and can't wait for the wedding! They are having their reception at McKay Tower, which is reflected in the buildings in some of these shots. Pretty cool.

(They never fell on their arses, but other people did. They're in the background in some of these... Thought it was funny since it's the Olympics and everyone cringes on the edge of their seats waiting for people to fall. You know you do.)

Caitlin and Matt met at her cousin's wedding. Matt actually crashed it- well, kind of. The best man asked him to go. But Caitlin says he crashed it. They were together for two years when Matt proposed. There was a love note on the bed, and when Caitlin turned around, he was on his knee. He always tries to surprise her, and it never works, so this time he didn't plan anything and just did it. He wanted to propose on the blue bridge and got shot down for lack of originality. Ha!

Well, just look at these two! I am genuinely so, so happy for them. My heart gets bigger knowing people like these guys...

Day in the Life- Please Read!- Bozaan Fam

"A Day in the Life" - Family Documentary Storytelling
Farmington Hills, MI

This is an ordinary weekend for these guys, with hockey in there somewhere. 

I want to point out a couple things that are important. 

In the series of photos underneath the table--- Maria (3yrs old) just hit her brother. Joshie cried and was consoled by mom. Whenever Maria gets reprimanded for bad behavior, she pouts and broods under the table for a bit. 5 minutes later, Joshie crawls in to comfort his sister, who just hurt him. He even holds her hand when she sticks her tongue out at him. 
Awwwww. What amazing qualities! Quick to forgive, compassion, and love! They came out together smiling. I wish more adults had emotional intelligence like these kids!!

This is documentary family photography. It says a lot more than if these two were just smiling at the camera. Just sayin'.

I hope Maria looks at these photos when she is an adult and going through hard times. She'll remember that her big bro will always be there for her and she is loved. 

The second thing-- If you are having a hard time proving to your hubs that documentary family photography should be a priority, show him the sports photos. At the kids' skating/hockey practice, I was shooting dad passing down knowledge to his son, and mom and dad being the biggest fans ever, etc., when I was told by so many dads, "What you're doing is really cool".  (Think about Father's Day gifts!) This is a special bond. Sports are a big deal. It will be wonderful for the kids to have these photos as adults, showing that bond, the sacrifices parents make, the support, and the parents acting like kids, getting so excited for their little buggers!! 

You can also see soccer photos and T-ball photos from these fellas in my blog posts.

Day in the Life! No posing. Real and true personalities.
Messy house, messy people, beautiful life!