Madison Family

Where to start….

When my dear friend, Regina, asked me to photograph her family I was thrilled. Previously I had the unbelievable honor of photographing Reg’s maternity session for her now 9 month old. She wanted an underwater maternity shoot with a Warrior Mama/Divine Feminine/Mother Goddess Theme and did we have fun with this session. I am very proud of the images I made on this day and it will always remain one of my absolute favorite sessions ever.

Well, now I have yet another one to add to my “absolute favorite” collection. And, once again, Regina had a, sort of, theme in mind. Well, really more of “representation” of who they are. And there is definitely a free spirit, bohemian, earthy feel to the session, which, I think, seems absolutely natural and true to this wonderful family. This time I had a whole afternoon with the entire Madison family. All five boys. Now, all of you know, because I say it all the time, that my fondest sessions are those with lots of energy, activity and motion. Bingo. I won the lottery. I have done many large family sessions and they always make me giddy. Truly. And I already knew this bunch of boys. And by the end of the afternoon, Blue had stolen my heart (he is the one with the newly buzzed hair cut if you want to pick him out of the bunch!). He spent most of the time talking to me and holding my hand. Yup. I’m a sucker for that.

Honestly, I know Tommy and Regina were beyond tuckered (they were also in the middle of packing up everything for their move to Arizona…yes, I miss them madly) and they had five little men with muddy feet (among other parts), wet clothes, mosquito bites (OMG were the mosquitos out in force!…I even had to photoshop mosquitos out of images!), and hungry tummies and napping needs, but I have to tell you that their little gentlemen went above and beyond. No big fights, no meltdowns. Polite to the very end. Well, OK, maybe a tiny bit grumpy but weren’t we all? Oh, and did I mention Tommy had to carry all the Teepee materials a half mile up and down the trail? Sorry Tommy….

OK, so, my kids were watching me edit and prepare the images (they love to watch the photoshop magic and tell me what a great photographer I am….nothing like children’s admiration to boost you up!) and my son, Kyle (surrounded by a sister on either end), reminded me that he STILL wants a brother and has yet to forgive me for only having ONE boy and TWO girls. I said, “Look, Reg and Tommy have FIVE boys and no girls.” He said, “That would be amazing!” Um, well, maybe… Tommy and Reg certainly make it look amazing. xoxoxo to you all ~ Blue, Dax, Xavier, Jett, and Rhen!

So I am opening this blog up with one of my picks from the Underwater Maternity session I did with Regina. I have so many I love from that session it was very hard to only pick one, so if you want to see more go check it out.

I think I will end with this:

Hold on to what is good, even if it’s a handful of earth.
Hold on to what you believe, even if it’s a tree that stands by itself.
Hold on to what you must do, even if it’s a long way from here.
Hold on to your life, even if it’s easier to let go.
Hold on to my hand, even if someday I’ll be gone away from you.
–Pueblo Prayer