When I’ve got Glengarry family photos on the calendar and I know that it’s a half day documentary session with the Duvals, I know I’m in for a good day.
Every single time I’m with Kelsey, Jeff and the kids, I’m guaranteed to walk away with laughter ringing in my ears and plenty of inspiration rushing around my brain. If you need an extra smile in your day, you might want to start by reminding yourself of my last visit with them, back when Maeve was brand new to the family.
I’m still learning about Maeve and watching her personality really come to the fore, so this extra time with her was such a blessing. On top of being this chilled out little human with rocky balance and an equal love for eating both sand and ice cream, it turns out she also has a wildly impressive post-nap stink eye.
Every session with the Duvals has a couple of predictable elements. Noah is bound to find some creative way to get injured. Laine is bound to say something entertaining. Kelsey will apologise for how boring their family is.
In the case of this particular day, those elements still very much came together. A good sudden take off by Laine in the electric John Deere meant it was lucky Noah stayed in it. Granted, it wasn’t entirely Noah’s discovery, but he found it all the same. Laine’s comment of the day was, “Ang! You should try being a photographer!” I’m not sure what she thinks I’ve been doing at her house during these visits we’ve had over the last couple of years, but I did reassure her that she’s onto something and I’m working at learning how… :) And true to form, as we headed back to the house through the corn, Kelsey’s traditional apology for being boring sounded out and I laughed at her while chasing after her kids and trying not to get hit in the face by wayward stalks of corn. There’s nothing about family life that’s boring when you get an afternoon to play together outside.
Half day documentary family sessions are the most interesting of the sessions I offer. My shorter session means that you can plan a couple of activities that you know the kids will love and, while I hope that you don’t do things just for the camera, it’s possible for parents to be tempted to do that (it happens – I see you ;) ). As parents, you can’t be “on” the whole time I’m there for a half day session or you’ll be exhausted. These longer sessions allow you to just surrender to the experience of living your real life and being photographed while it happens. It’s like having a friend over for a really long coffee visit.
Kelsey and Jeff are honest and real about their parenting. They’ve put in the work – and continue to put in the work – to create good humans who thank Mom for dinner, who hug one another if someone might be hurt, and who are content to help out (well, most of the time – they can’t be that perfect). Kelsey and Jeff are the kind of parents who climb onto the sand pile; who jump on the trampoline (to Noah’s great dismay); who let the kids turn them into a climbing gym when they want some closeness or comfort. They’re also the kind of parents who let the kids have enough free rein that Mom and Dad sometimes get caught by surprise, like when Noah decides to snack on some chalk. Life happens – and they actively participate in as much of it as they can.
Here’s a look at a session that reminded me of how beautiful it is to live a free-range childhood:
I’m Ang. I’m a family photographer offering coverage like these Glengarry family photos, as well as family photo sessions in Cornwall, Brockville, Ottawa, and throughout SD&G. Laughter is important in my life and in my work and I want to show you the beauty, the humour and the timeless little moments of connection in your everyday. Want to see more of what can come from a half day documentary family session? Start here!
