Home for Christmas

This couple picks the worst weather days to move. They’ve moved a lot – and they are very organized with all their experience. Seriously organized. But the weather likes to test them every. single. time. They bought their first house this summer, and we helped them move. It was hot. It was rainy. Of course! It was moving day! Oh, and the air conditioner in their brand new house conked out on the day of their closing. Of course… Need I mention that their water heater gave up the ghost two weeks later? But moving day couldn’t have been brighter because of the plans in their eyes. I, myself, couldn’t wait to see how their story unfolded in this new nest of theirs. They both have a way of making even the dreariest hole in the wall fetching and full of personality – and this new house of theirs started packed full of charm!

When they posted a “we-gave-it-our-best-try” Christmas photo on social media and asked for help, I jumped at the chance. Not only because they are awesome people, but because I was dying to see what magic they had worked in their new home! Plus, I knew they’d be uber-patient with me if I wanted to try some new techniques!

Their home, nor their hospitality, didn’t disappoint me. I couldn’t have styled a session better than this! I am partial to using what is in someone’s home, anyway, because that’s what makes the photo most meaningful years down the road. And isn’t that why we take photos? For years down the road?

We settled in to a gone-too-fast hour of laughing and trying things and getting all tangled up in the Christmas spirit. Their sweetheart dog didn’t know quite what to do with the light coming out of my bounce flash, but the sweetheart in her never disappeared.

So, my friends, as your family grows and changes and adapts the the world and circumstances you find yourselves in, I was honored to have this home-for-the-holidays time with you in your very first house! Oh, and the thank-you brownies you made me were mmmm-mmmm gone!