Raising a family is a big deal.

If you’re a parent – well, duh, you already know that.

Everything that goes into keeping everyone in the house alive, not to mention happy, is a list longer than I can probably comprehend. I may not have kidlets of my own, but being around families who, at the end of the (sometimes very, very long) day, are still all in; that gives me hope. Hope that family life is still important.

Not perfect, but important.

It’s within families we first learn about love. About choosing each other every day. About putting aside the annoyances that come from living with other human beings in favour of seeing the gold instead.

Choosing love over & over & over.

It’s not just about what happens after the diapers are dealt with & the dinner picked up off the floor. It’s what’s happening in those moments, too. In the doing of mundane tasks, the small & sometimes frustratingly repetitive things – that’s where saints are made.

Being committed to choosing love.

Despite the meltdowns & the mess, you are committed. Committed to creating a home where love is in action. Committed to giving everyone a safe space to make mistakes. Committed to raising human beings in a way they can feel God’s love through you.

Committed to being a husband & wife first so the grace from marriage can overflow into your family.

 

 

Photographing families is an honour. Watching how you love your spouse, how your kids watch you when you’re not looking, how they wriggle in (or out, let’s be real) of your arms for a hug – what a gift. As a photographer, I have the privilege of choosing which moments from your life are easily remembered years from now, which moments showcase your family dynamics to their full extent, which moments the world needs to hear about.

I choose which moments stay.

And this moment, this stage of life that will never come again, this moment deserves to stay.

 

 

I believe authentic images come from authentic relationships. In order for you & your kids to be fully comfortable in front of my camera, we don’t start with the camera.

We start with some time together, hanging out in your living room – a place where your family does life on a regular basis – getting to know each other before I bring my camera along. It can be for dinner, dessert, a talent show; anything your family loves doing. We can even coordinate family outfits while I’m there!

If it sounds like I’m inviting myself over it’s because I am. The more time we spend together before the session, the more relaxed everyone will feel & the more natural your photos will be.

And I promise to help with the dishes!

On the day of your session, we start with some playtime, even if the kids are “all grown up.”
 We can bust out a game of tag, a dance party in the driveway, a rap battle for the ages; you’re never too old to have a good time. I’ll finally pull out my camera, photograph all of you interacting with each other, go for that “everyone smile at the camera!” shot, & end with more playtime (& perhaps a parent-approved snack ‘cause treats are a great way to celebrate any occasion no matter the ages in the group).

To be honest, this is not how I used to do family sessions. I’ve always had some sort of interaction with the family before, so I never walked into a session knowing nothing about them.

But this?

This is how I believe they should be done.

And I can’t wait to do it.

 

 

Ready to book a session? Email laura@laura-anne.ca

 

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