Yesss, my first couple family photo session since I’ve come back from retirement! It was so much fun to photograph Kristen and Patrick. I’ve known Kristen for a very long time, but this was my first time meeting Patrick, and they complement each other so well. I had a great time hanging out in their home, listening to records, making dinner, and having lots of laughs together to celebrate their one year wedding anniversary. They introduced me to compostable packaging spices (yesss), new tv shows, and a variety of amazing humorous fake band names that they keep a list of in case they ever decide to break into the industry. Until then, Patrick’s a gene therapy scientist and I learned about how certain genetic eye problems can be improved, and Kristen works in politics where she’s truly passionate about making a difference locally and nationally. We discovered that we all had slightly different versions of the same shoes, and it was just fun. Thank you for having me into your home and helping to be a part of your anniversary, guys!
Alys and Brian met on MySpace and I love them for it. Remember MySpace, you guys!? Those were the golden days of social media and are dearly missed by yours truly. They were both living in different parts of NC, met on MySpace, and were married thirty-three days later. That was a little over 12 years ago. I find this story very endearing and sweet and it just proves even further than those who met on MySpace were destined to be together. Alys and Brian just had their first daughter about 17 months ago and her name is Diana. She is a GOOD kid. This was my first time photographing a napping/bedtime routine (which I loved doing!) and I was astonished at how Diana put up zero percent fight, agreeably climbed up the stairs, put on her pajamas without a fuss whatsoever, read two books, said “yes” when asked if she wanted to go to sleep, then kissed both her parents on the cheek and laid down without a fight. What! Alys and Brian then went to cuddle with Zeta (who is, in her opinion, actually the original daughter even though she’s technically a dog), and Diana remained peacefully asleep. I couldn’t even believe it. She’s a little gem. When she’s awake, Diana enjoys playing piano, throwing oranges off the kitchen counter and playing outside. She also enjoys wearing an extremely oversized sweater that makes her resemble some sort of Alaskan fisherman and is very adorable. Her parents love her and it’s not hard to see why.
Team Emmerika have been our clients for such a long time now (since 2013!) and it’s been so wonderful seeing them grow. We knew them when they were living in an apartment with one cat whom Emmanuel was very allergic to but loved nonetheless. He was a homeless cat they rescued and took care of and his name is Lobo. Now, you should know that Erika and Emmanuel are very doting people. If they like you, you will know, and be a great recipient of their love (and snacks). So even though Emmanuel was allergic to Lobo, they took him in and cleaned him up and loved him fiercely. Then they bought a house! Then, with an adjustment of allergy medications probably?, they adopted two additional cats. THEN they adopted a puppy! THEN they adopted another puppy! And now Lobo lives with 2 other cats, 2 dogs, and one baby (not a cat!) named Felix. And I’m glad, because no one has more love to give away than Erika and Emmanuel… and every single dependent creature who lives with them has the BEST life. Plus, I am extra glad they had a baby because LOOK AT HOW CUTE FELIX IS. IT’S ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE. LOOK AT HIS TINY CORDUROY PANTS. AND HIS LIL FACE. AND THE SIDE EYE HE OCCASIONALLY GIVES HIS PARENTS. I want to squeeze him and steal him and never let him grow up and out of those tiny corduroy pants. The cutest, handsomest gentleman who likes to give me high-fives and talk about cats. He is loved by many and will do great things. His name is Felix but he is not a cat.
P.S. Thank you to Quail Ridge Books, a favorite stomping ground of Erika and Emmanuel, for letting us take some pictures inside your store! P.P.S. Thank you to Helen, who is always such a big help on shoots and a wonderful grandma to Felix!
