I would like to start this by revealing the secret to a successful family photoshoot: accept the chaos. It's soooo true. As much as we as photographers love to imagine this picture perfect world where kids only laugh and dance and smile at their parents with all the adoration in the world, it's just not true! In reality, most kids are very used to their mom and dad and would much prefer to be left alone to play in the sand!
These three sweethearts just melted me with all their love. BUT they are from Florida, hence, used to warm Atlantic temperatures. And we were met with the tail end of a Laguna storm, bringing in waves so big there was next to no beach left by the time we were done. Add to that gigantic waves that left them soaked and crying. But enter the secret sauce: mom and dad. They rolled with the punches and continued to play and smile the entire time. And together, we were able to create magic. You would never know anything but a perfect family with the most perfect lives. But they are instead a real family with real lives. Beautiful, YES! But real nonetheless. Just like every single family I shoot. We chased and danced and laughed, and although not "perfect" in the definition of what you may think a photo shoot may entail, it was perfect nonetheless. It's what I love so much about lifestyle photography. We don't have to spend an hour trying to fake grins that just don't belong. Instead we get to tickle and play and ring a round the rosy those grins right out. ;-)
This mom is a gifted photographer herself and like all us moms with a camera has a million and one pictures of her kids but very little with her in it. We have been "Insta friends" forever, but this day I finally go to hug her neck. And she was just as wonderful as I had pictured her. The deep love she has for her family and the joy in being with them shines through every single one of these. <3
