Jason surprised Annette 5 years ago with a family portrait session to celebrate their 15 year wedding anniversary. They were celebrating the love they’d pledged and having come through the devastation of infertility that rocked their world for years. They were on the other side with a beautiful story of adoption that grew their family of 2 to 4 and wanted to mark that blessing.
Fast forward 5 years and Dad wanted to surprise mom with portraits on this next milestone. They are celebrating how their family has grown in laughter and love with a deeper understanding of what it means to cheer each other on through this life. Eliana and Lincoln were little champs the whole time–they just worked so hard throughout our time together to make this gorgeous gallery you see before you.
At the center of this story is Jason and Annette though. They’ve weathered life’s storms and continue to laugh heartily together. Jason cherishes Annette in a way that is enviable by many. They are truly partners in this journey of life, love and family.
Several of the portraits in this gallery are loose recreations from 5 years ago. I remember telling Jason and Annette that I wanted to veil them for a romantic portrait 5 years ago, they laughed and said, ‘what are we so ugly you gotta cover us up?!’ Of course not! It was a first for me though and they were game. It ended up being one of their favorites and is still on their walls. So we re-created with an actual veil this time…a reminder of the promises pledged to a bride who looks at her groom like it’s their wedding day all over again!
Little Lincoln is a powerhouse who likes to chat about his favorite super hero so we played up this love with a Captain America reveal! This was the pre-cursor to our end in the pool. Both kids love the water and were so excited to end their session with a plunge. Lincoln led the way in bravery and about 5 seconds later Eliana was hot on his heels! This family plunge was a throwback to 5 years ago as well!
Leaving, Eliana hugged me and told me she’d see me again in 5 years…sorry Jason, guess the surprise element is gone, but something tells me the preciousness of this tradition will only grow sweeter as time marches on! Such an honor to mark time and the Lord’s blessing with you and for you! Click here for blog from 5 years ago.
Peek at how the Collins family will be enjoying their portraits in their home…we designed right onto their walls.
Beautiful family pictures thanks so much for sharing. Kit and Dad
[…] Jason and Annette originally contacted me to lock down family portraits while we celebrated their 15 year wedding anniversary about 11 years ago. Jason told me he’d already made up his mind that they’d be coming back every 5 years to record their family journey. Unfortunately, I don’t still have the record of their first blog since we moved web hosts, but I do have the blog from 5 years ago! […]