Over the last several years as our JDP senior line has exploded, we’ve found it’s really hard to fit families into our shooting schedule. (please reach out as early as possible when you know you’d like us to create for you as we are often booked out several months or more). But a few times a year, very special families grace my lens. It’s always a slice of life locked down by this photographer who knows all too well how quickly this time of cartwheels in the grass, racing dump trucks and climbing fences will come to a close.
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Perhaps I’m feeling a bit more nostalgic because it’s the first year all 3 of my boys are away in college. I guess there’s more than a good chance of that! But, what I do know for certain is that the reckless abandon that young children play with is not something that stays with us long through this life.
I was there to document the birth of all 3 of the Laney children and now family portraits at their farm every 2 years. During our creating, there were times I saw Madison and thought…’Wow, I am beginning to see the older version of what she will be like.’ Sure she raced around and cracked up with her siblings, but there were reflective times like below that gave me a glimpse into an older Madison. She was also starting a cold, so certainly could have been that as well!
Aubrey fully embraced this portrait time with all the abandon of a little girl on a mission! She had ideas for portraits, but most importantly wanted to be sure her beloved cats were featured! In fact, I think if we’d have asked her, she’d have been content to have had the whole portrait time feature her kitties!
Easton was all little boy on a mission to climb, explore, stomp in puddles and race his dump trucks with giggles that kept us all laughing as well! He’s equally split between chasing his big sisters around and blazing his own path with dump trucks.
Little girl, in a big world, doing what she loves. That’s what I think when I see the scene below. Aubrey has a new found love in her life and watching her interact with her cats blows away sooo many of the cat stereotypes.
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These cats adore her and are far more patient than most cats out there. She was constantly on the chase to wrangle them into scenes and ensure they were featured throughout the portrait time. They didn’t mind her little self picking them up constantly and loving on them with cuddles.
Joe and Shannon are building a life into the farm they’ve been growing over the last several years. It’s clear the intention is to support the sweet memories being made racing around the farm be it via foot, four wheeler or cart wheeling! The fence they are adding will support the interest of the kids in showing animals in 4-H. I couldn’t help but see the visual demonstration of this as Joe was prepared to steady Easton’s climb onto the fence. A father prepping the path, encouraging the climb and being the safety net when needed.
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When I mentioned Audrey was all over the creative process this year, she even asked for roles to support the portrait making process. She filmed some of our bts clips for us, encouraging laughter in her mom and dad. I let her depress the shutter and helped her frame of some portraits as well. She informed me that she and her BFF were going to be photographers and work together just like Ms. Sara and I do. (insert heart melt).
And of course she gave plenty of air time to her beloved cats;)
Paver, the beloved Laney german shepherd, has been a constant at their farm. It was important to Joe to make sure he was included in the portraits. He figured Paver may not still be with them two years from now when it’s time for their next installment of family portraits. We noticed one moment in particular when watching their bts clips, when the children took off running and Paver was slow to get up. That was the first sign I noticed of his aging.
Madison is the leader of this pack, naturally being the first born. She’s also blazing a path for her siblings with how she’s shining at St. John’s Catholic School. Last year she received the Young Disciple recognition which is given to one student per grade for their willingness to be a helper and care for others. Her heart shines big and it’s so sweet when that’s recognized!
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The place where memories are made. When my boys were young we debated about putting in a playground. We heard conflicting stories re whether it would be used. My boys were outside playing daily at some point about 95% of the year. It was the best way to burn off all that extra energy a pack of little boys generates. For parents of young children, if you make them play outside they will make the most amazing memories doing so. We all still laugh at the shenanigans they got into with their outdoor play. My boys and their friends literally logged 1000’s of hours between our playground and trampoline and they are now at an age where they realize the value of all those hours.
I used to worry that the noise bothered our neighbors and while I’m sure sometimes it did, I realize now it was sweet background to many people who surrounded us. Neighbors would frequently comment how sweet it was to hear their play outdoors. I now have that same sentiment when I hear our neighbor kids playing outside most of the year as well. It’s only the mothers whose ears are attuned to the crying/bickering, so don’t worry your kids aren’t bothering anyone.
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The kids love their time on dirt bikes as they race around the yard, giving Shannon a few gray hairs in the process I’m pretty sure. Whether it’s dirt bikes, rolling down hills, chasing the chickens or acrobatics on the playground–these knees are scuffed with the stuff of the best memories!
Till we meet again Laneys–see you in 2 years!xo. Click here to contact us re your own custom portraits.
