Rebecca and Greg

Family Portrait Photography

Okay, every year I make a trek out to see my cousins Greg and Rebecca in California. Well, at least that’s how it started. The first year out I shot their family photos and a those of a few friends. It was fun and an easy way to pay for the trip. In the years that have followed it has grown into a HUGE and very fun shooting weekend with just a little bit of hanging out with my cousins.

I do love these two though and their three kids (who are almost all teenagers now) are wonderful. If my kids turn out this good, I know I’ll have it made.

First up is Sophie. She actually hates picture day, not that she doesn’t like me, but she’s kind of like me, more comfortable behind the lens. Under the tutelage of her photo savvy mom, he’s actually becoming quite adept behind the camera! Oh wait, and she was sick this day but was still a trooper and made it to the session!

The whole family. The other major reason I love shooting Rebecca’s family is their fashion. She knows how to pick pieces that work together while not matching, which makes for great photography.

Greg and Rebecca. Greg is actually my first cousin. His mom is the mother hen of the family. Growing up Greg always seemed so old and mature to me. Come to find out while still being “old” (ha ha) he’s really really fun at heart. He told me he likes when I visit because I introduce him to new tv shows. A few years back it was Arrested Development, which they now love, and this year is was It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. Which, incidentally, Jonathan and I just discovered a few months ago ourselves. We had heard of it but hadn’t sat down to watch it. If you liked Seinfeld, give it a go.

Rebecca is a bit of a photo maniac herself, you should see her travel books. She probably takes more photos than I do! She’s also hands down the best hostess every and has raised her children to be so accommodating also. They are so fun and easy to stay with. Oh, and she’s funny.

So sweet! I hope my little boys stay as sweet as Whitman when they are pre-teens.

And Sasha. She’s changed so much since I’ve been making my yearly trip. She’s grown from the hilarious domineering oldest child to this grown woman. She’s in high school and the dating scene. Makes me realize how fast time flies, I think I’ll just keep my little ones at home for a while, thank you very much. She really is wonderful though, and so smart, I’m excited to see where life takes her in the next few years.

One thing I always try to do at sessions is varied breakout groups. For instance, I am one of seven children. Yes I know, huge. I don’t think I have a photo of just me and my mother or me and my dad or my and my sisters from growing up. Oh wait, I do have a VERY awkward one of me and my sisters, but just one. And we are hugging a palm tree. And I was in high school.

I love showing the sweet relationships that exist between different members of the family. Like a mom with her two daughters.

Or the girls and their dad. Dad’s deserve a little attention too, they do after all have to coach all of the little league sports teams while the girls are little.

So the second or so year that we took family photos we came to this spot and that picture is still hanging on the wall in their home. This photo is a little homage to that.

What I wouldn’t give for a pea coat in that color. But alas, yellow is not my strong suit. I can pull off yellow shoes, but a yellow coat… not so much.