A first meeting.
A story to keep.
Two children, two golden retrievers, and a beautiful October afternoon at home in Orono, Minnesota. This was my first time photographing the Engle family.
Starting at home.
Beth found my work online while looking for a new photographer. The photographer her family had worked with had moved to Texas. We set a date, rain made us reschedule, and on October 17 we finally got together.
I said hello, greeted the dogs, and noticed the lovely light by the front doors. We started with everyone on the porch. I always like to make that family portrait early, while the kids are fresh.
A little direction.
A little room to play.
From the porch, we walked their quiet, unpaved lane to find some fall color. I mix posed portraits with the moments in between. Sometimes all it takes is a little prompt: “Hug your sister.”
Both children loved the camera and took direction so well. They made this first session a pleasure.
A beautiful old wall.
A little farther down the lane, a neighbor had this wonderful stone wall. I gathered the family around it, with the golden trees behind them. We didn’t have to go far to find a different setting.
The smaller stories.
I like to photograph the different relationships within a family, too. Beth and her daughter beside the wall; later, back in the yard, a kiss on the cheek from her son.
Keep walking.
Keep watching.
I had Beth and Jon walk down the lane holding hands and talking. We made time for the children to play, too, and for everyone to walk together. Those relaxed moments give a session its own rhythm.
Back to the backyard.
After our walk, we went back to the house and let the dogs out again. The children played, their parents joined in, and I kept photographing. A stick, a piggyback ride, a little time together.
Let them be themselves.
There’s room for a portrait and room for a cuddle. I want both. These are the little expressions and gestures that help a family remember this age.
The dogs belong
in the story, too.
Their two golden retrievers were part of our first family portrait, and I loved having them back with us in the yard. A session at home lets us include the familiar things—and the familiar faces—that make it theirs.
Something
they can hold.
After the session, I asked Beth what she wanted to do with the photographs. She showed me the 10-by-10 book from their last family session. Perfect. That’s exactly the kind of thing I love making.
Within a few days, I had processed their images and designed a new book. Beth loved it and approved the design, and their galleries were ready, too.
We also talked about making photographs in winter. They were interested, and I’d love to see them again when the lane looks a little different.