Moving should not come as a surprise to me in life; I moved just about every year of my life growing up. But it doesn’t mean that when people I love like family, move, I won’t be very sad. Mark and Laura built their home the same time we did, and we’ve been neighbors 5 years this fall. Difference is we moved a mile; they moved 1300 miles.
And now it’s time for them to return to their home in TX as Kara is headed to University of Texas for college. We’ve shared our families lives together over the last 5 years. But now that all 3 of their kids will be back at home in TX, there’ll be no keeping them here. Blog followers will recognize Kara as one of our JDP seniors and from her sweet and sassy 16 shoot as well. Mom has been such a fan of what we’ve created she’s always said, “if I can get my other two kids to MD, we have to do family portraits.”
Well Kara’s graduation was just the event to bring big sister Cassidy and big brother Kyle to town, with a bonus of Grandmom as well! We created great plans during the pre consult planning time for a Texas style family portrait, traditional studio portraits and lifestyle portraits as well. And kudos to these guys for most outfit changes in a family session and for not issuing one complaint! Love what you see? We can help you plan a fabulous family portrait experience as well and would love to chat with you about that.
Laura wanted to lock down the spaces where their memories have been made in MD and as we discussed ideas I got intrigued by the bar area in their home. I noticed the “Homicide-Robbery” sign above the bar and asked about it. That’s when I learned that Mark’s dad was one of the lead detectives who investigated the JFK assassination. He retrieved the blanket in the garage said to have contained Oswald’s alleged rifle. He was also one of the first to interrogate Lee Harvey Oswald upon his arrival at the Dallas Police Department. This sign hung in the DPD. When the building was being renovated Mark’s dad picked up the sign out of trash pile. His dad, below on the right, was on the scene in this infamous video clip of Lee Harvey Oswald’s assassination by Jack Ruby.
I was enthralled to learn this bit of history from Mark. My first career was teaching history, which I know sounds like a departure from portrait creation. However, I’ve just always been about the story that people’s lives are writing. The story our lives will tell to future generations. The story that’s worth repeating. So how awesome to just learn this about their family and this bit of legacy they’ll be passing on to the next generation! Perhaps this has inspired Kara’s love of politics?
For years, Mom has admired this portrait above of two other sisters that hangs in my office. So how awesome that we could create this with her girls as well! And how much do I love this moment of the family sharing life together, just before Mark and Laura are officially empty nesters–complete with Harley, Maya and Gracie while sharing Kara’s portrait album?!? Perfection! 😉
So I guess when you are from Texas, Texas always calls you home. We are grateful for the 5 years we got to share with you all and look forward to seeing what the next phase of your journey calls you to! Two empty nesters taking to the road to see the grand sites of America while celebrating a 2nd honeymoon? More work with the Humane Society? Big family dinners around the table sharing stories, laughter, cards and love–definitely!
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Stunning!