Well, team… Calling this session “Morrisburg Family Photos” really doesn’t give you any indication of what I got myself into during my half-day documentary session with the Johnstons! :P
I’ve been working with various members of this family since 2014. I’ve seen them through loss, birth, birthdays, Father’s Day, Mother’s Day, and anniversaries. Haley, Steph and Georgia have been with me for the whole evolution of my business as I put increasing amounts of attention on my documentary family work. I photographed Donna’s parents on their anniversary a few years ago and it’s still a session I treasure. To be able to spend a whole afternoon with BG and Donna’s family felt like one of the biggest gifts of my summer.
A couple of days ago, a client commented that it must be interesting to try to join or blend in with different families all the time. It’s one of the best challenges of my job: figuring out the different connections, the quirks, the personality traits, the children who are most likely to throw a tantrum (and let’s be honest – I figure out that last part so that I’m good and ready when it happens). The neat thing about working with the Johnstons, though, is that there’s nothing to puzzle over. These guys are the living embodiment of the “come as you are” family mentality and couldn’t possibly be more welcoming every time I see them.
Our time together was planned because the whole gang, including cousin Celty and her family, would be at Brian and Donna’s together. Their plan was to celebrate all of the summer birthdays, Donna and BG’s anniversary, have a water balloon fight and, if the weather held, go for a boat ride.
Well, the weather held.
We spent a gloriously sunny (read: hot) afternoon in, on and around the river. I joined them as they dipped in and out for swims, laughed as the kids fell over time and again on the lily pad, dodged water balloon attacks, climbed aboard the pontoon boat for a river cruise, and laughed some more. I reveled in the way these family members soak in one another’s company because it’s so much like my own family.
They get together for a good time, but not always a long time, so they figure out how to make the most of the time they have all together. Whether it was Peyton’s first dunk underwater or Harrison’s first swim out in the open river with BG; Georgia’s time on the swing, soaking in the view or the moms teaching the kids to wave to the cargo ships – they took every advantage of what their surroundings had to offer before the gentle movement of the boat took its toll and prepared the kids for afternoon snoozes.
Here’s a look into a session that feels like it sums up the spirit of life on our beautiful St Lawrence River:
Does it seem like Morrisburg family photos with Moment.us might be perfect for you and your family? Live in Cornwall and love the idea of photos being about true moments and not poses? Get more info about the details of my services and pricing here or contact me to ask any specific questions you might have! I would love to hear about your family and tell your story. Really want to book, but feeling a little afraid? Here’s another example of how easy family sessions really are!
