One Big Family

Despite air that felt like a heat wave coming off a frying pan, everyone’s face had tiny jewels of sweat framing their good-natured dispositions. After all, this was a family that gathers together frequently and with much enthusiasm. How could a balmy July evening stop that kind of bond?

It was the patriarch of the family that anchored this large group – the grandfather with an endless twinkle in his eye and great fondness for this fun-loving family. If you have the privilege of sitting down with him, you’ll be treated to the enthrallment of a expert storyteller. His career was at Lincoln Financial, but his stories go back to World War II when he was a postman traveling between military camps. From his life experience he has instilled rather deep values into his family: respect others, help one another, and gather frequently, just to name a few.

And gather they do! It was at a recent family gathering (at the lake, where they frequently celebrate the holidays), that they idea was floated to have a family portrait taken. After all, family had come all the way from the west coast this summer! So sons and daughters, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren all came together for a portrait session. Despite the heat they stood side-by-side, with grandpa’s proud smile and twinkling eyes in the center, closer than what was probably comfortable to say with one voice, “This is our family and we couldn’t be happier to be a part of it.” Actually, there was one member of the family suffering from laryngitis that evening, but her smile spoke on her behalf!

After the large group photo, I offered to take pictures of the smaller family units. I got to interact with the adult children who were passing the family values onto their children and grandchildren, and who have obviously let those values color their professions, be they teachers, entrepreneurs, or in the commercial property industry. In side conversations with individual family members I saw the familial twinkle in their eyes as they watched or talked about the generation following them.

In fact, we all gathered together again to review the photos when they were done a week later. Food was on the table as hugs and smiles welcomed each family member into the home. This family gathered effortlessly once more, with conversation picking up right where it had left off. They shared concerns, silly SnapChat photos, and ideas for how to use these portraits. I loved that they chose to spend their print credit from the package for Grandpa – an image box with a 4×6 print of every portrait from their session. Now he has prints that he can linger over and smile about.

This is why I love family photography – because I love seeing how families love each other.