Ha! We always laugh because we know we’ll be seeing our clients from 0-4 years old, no problem. They still have all their baby teeth, they are still developing their personalities, and they don’t talk back all that much But when they hit 6 or 7, it’s like they drop off the face of the earth and we don’t see them until they are 16! I love when a family of older kids comes in! It gives me a chance to capture that transition in their lives from little kid to big kid. Where they no longer think of themselves as babies, but aren’t quite preteen. There are grown up teeth mixed in with baby teeth, chubby cheeks thinning out, and the long lanky limbs waiting to bulk up with muscle! Yes, I love the elementary age in photographs! If you thought they changed a lot from 1 year to 4, just wait for the jump from 6-9! It’s incredible to actually see them becoming “big kids”

Thanks for bringing your crew out for a long overdue family session! As a parent, I know what a fun (and sometimes hair pulling) stage this is! Also, yes, first time I believe I posted all BW photos on the blog. But, man! I just love the soulfulness of them!

upon which we build so many things. Photographing tight-knit families such as this one always make me a little homesick. I am the only one of my family that doesn’t live in Tallahassee, Fl. This family  has been here their entire lives. They all still live here. Mimi and Pops will get to watch their grandchildren grow up here. Sisters and brothers get to arrange dinners and birthdays and get-togethers just because! The amount of love that these guys have for each other is incredible. Not to mention the fabulous fun they have too! It was such an awesome evening hanging out at the UGA State Botanical Gardens! We ran into a TON of other photographers, but I’m nearly certain no one laughed as much as we did! Thanks guys for making my job so easy!

I can only pray that Greg and I still look at each other like this when we get to sit back and look at our children and their families….

These girls. I seriously just LOVE them. Want to smooch them kind of love them to little bits. They came in last year for a session and of course the Memorial Princess sessions are named in part for their sister, Ava Jane. These two have both changed a lot and yet also very little. They’re older, taller and more mature.. but they still have the same faces, same mouths, same silly personalities.

These two are a HOOT. HOOT I tell you! Now, I am sure at home there are times when mom and dad want to pull their hair out. But, when these two come in to the studio, they LOVE each other. Truly love each other. I think what sealed the deal for me on their sibling love affair was this:

We were talking about DS games, and which were their favorite ones. I asked little sister if she ever played the DS and big brother piped up “Oh, YES. You know, she looks little and small, but she is REALLY GOOD at playing the DS. She doesn’t play it like a baby. She can PLAY it.”

I know, that seems like such a small statement, but anyone with children, especially older brother/little sister children will know what a true testament to love this is! Big brothers just don’t openly gush about their little sisters And, she loves him too. So so so much! There are a few photos I have of her just staring at him in complete admiration while he is totally oblivious. Yes, friends, they can totally get on each others nerves at home but get them out in public and their true feelings for each other come out

Ooohhhhhhhhhhhhhh! I bet mama gets this all the time….”Ohhhhhhhh are these all yours!?” Secretly I hope she replies with “No, actually, I don’t know who these children to belong to nor why they are calling me mom!?”

I can think of few women who possess the strength, patience and pure desire to parent more children than they have arms, but these parents do! One might think the studio was complete and total chaos this morning, but actually, it was quite the opposite! We had fun, we played, we laughed, and the 6 big siblings were a dream! Laid back and casual, just the way we like it here

Really, am I done yet!?

For a family portrait session! This family was such a change of pace for me! It’s usually little ones, bribed with smarties, lollipops or stickers. Getting to work with grown-ups is a refreshing break and keeps you on your toes! There is an entirely different line of talking with grown ups than kids! It’s funny how sometimes behind the camera I catch myself reverting back to “kid talk” out of pure habit! Not only were they tons of fun to work with, but they are quite gorgeous too

I am so lucky to have this family come in year after year to celebrate their daughters’ birthdays! For the last…I don’t know….5 years!? I love that each time we do something different! It’s been so fun to watch the girls grow and become  spunky, confident beauitful young ladies!

I’m already trying to think of something new for next year

Written by Frankie Wylie