I met this family a few years ago when they were living here locally and got to photograph Adam (aka: Gap Baby) when he was still a little peanut. A peanut with the BIGGEST BLUE EYES YOU HAVE EVER SEEN. I was so sad when they moved over 2 hrs away because I assumed it meant I would no longer have the opportunity to photograph them. But, they proved me wrong in my assumption. Every year since then they have made the LONG trek (with two youngens no less) all the way down to Santa Cruz to have me photograph them. If that just isn't the biggest honor, I just don't know what is. We do the shoot, they have dinner down here and then they proceed to drive back home over 2 hrs away all in one day. It really blows my mind that they do this just so I can take their annual pictures. Touching, humbling and marvelous.
The thing is, I look forward to this shoot ALL YEAR LONG because it is hands down always one of my all time favorite shoots every year. We laugh until our sides are sore. Or at least, mine are sore, I guess I should do more crunches, huh?
Naturally, Adam STILL has the most stunning blue eyes and little brother Matthew was blessed with them as well. These kids are gorgeous. And funny. And sweet. And I just can't get enough of the whole family. They just totally "get" me and what I am trying to achieve with my photography and when I tell them I'm going to lay down on the ground and I want them to walk over me with their kid in the air they don't look at me and think "she's completely lost her mind!" Instead, they don't bat an eye and go "sure!" and hello?! How cool is that?!
Julianne and Marchus, you make my world go round (ha!) and I cannot tell you how much I appreciate your willingness to drive nearly 5 hrs total in one day just to come see little ole me. {bowing humbly}
We had entirely too many incredible shots so I made a slideshow with just a sampling of some of my favorites. And since we had the cowboy theme going I decided to use a country-ish song to accompany it! Click the link below to view the slideshow, ENJOY!!!
[A couple quick notes before you watch the slideshow, I told mom that Wilder Ranch was very rustic and that if she, maybe, perhaps, had the inclination and desire, she could dress them appropriately... and did she ever. The boys had matching cowboy boots and cowboy hat, TO DIE FOR CUTE. Love. Also, when the family was sitting on the stairs Adam suddenly lept out into the air, from four stairs up, OVER mom and out towards me. If mom had not had those amazing LIGHTNING fast reflexes that she has, the fall would have resulted in a very bruised and battered face/head - at the very least. Mom literally grabbed him mid air and held him tightly enough to reel him back in and stop him from falling flat on his face. It was like watching a superhero in action. Amazing. And yes, of course, I caught it all on film and the ensuing laughter from Adam thinking it was the funniest thing in the world. Ah, to be the mother of two daredevil rambunctious boys! Nerves of steal, I tell ya...... ]
