Every year for the past 3 years, we’ve had the pleasure of photographing Terri & Alan and their family as their three children come together from different corners of the country to reunite for the July 4th holiday here on beautiful Cape Cod. It is a time we look forward to with excitement…and, I admit, a dash of nervousness.

Terri is a talented photographer herself and one of her major projects every year is the family’s holiday card. The photos we capture are often a big part of that card, so there’s a bit of pressure on us to come up with fun, fresh settings & poses that make it exciting not only for us & the family, but for everyone who will receive the card.

Luckily, Andy & I tend to work well under pressure. It also helps that this is one of the coolest, most loving, fun, down-to-Earth, just great-to-be-around families you could ever hope to meet.

In addition to the annual family reunions, we’ve also been invited to photograph the wedding of oldest son, Ryan, and his lovely bride Anette. Click HERE for a look at their amazing Wequassett wedding. And, later this summer, we’ll be there when middle child, Leigh, says “I do!” to her sweetheart, Zach, at the fabulous Mandarin Oriental in Boston. We are sooooo excited! Click HERE for a sneak peek at their super fun MIT engagement session shot this spring!

In talking with Terri about her ideas for this year’s family session, she had a concept in mind for her holiday card and was looking for a colorful, funky background…preferably something involving graffiti or a mural. Unfortunately, here on the Cape, there’s very little in the way of graffiti or murals that would be right for this kind of thing…trust me, we’ve searched high & low for it over the years. Of course, if anyone knows of any we may have overlooked, please let us know.

We tossed around some other ideas and Terri mentioned the Cape Cod Lavender Farm in Harwich. As it happens, last summer, we photographed the owner’s daughter’s wedding, which was AMAZING! Click HERE for a look. So, we called Cynthia & Matt and asked them if it would be okay to use their property for our session. They graciously agreed….we love you guys!!!

This year’s lavender crop was not what it had been in years past due to the weather, they told us, but it was at the peak of picking, so timing couldn’t have been better.

Here are some of our favorite moments from our time together. Enjoy!

The dynamics of this year’s family session changed fairly dramatically, with the new addition of baby Dillion, Ryan & Anette’s too-cute-for-words son. It was the same when our nephew, Calvin, was the first baby to come on the family scene. Literally overnight, it became all about him. And, the same could be seen in this family. I just love everyone’s expression and how the focus…if even out of the corner of one’s eye…is all on Dillon. And, tell me he doesn’t know it! So cute!

Can we talk about Dillon’s two snaggle teeth? Or the expression of pride & joy on his adorable papa’s face?

Lovin’ the lavender and everyone’s color choices. FYI…Randi…the youngest daughter in the middle of the photo is a crazy-talented up & coming NY fashion designer and she made her shirt. If we were the same size, I would have tackled her and stolen it! Soooo cute!

This next one kills me….talk about all about baby. And, how about the look on Dillon’s face? Priceless!!!

The family’s newest sub-families….(on LEFT) Anette, Ryan and baby Dillion and soon to be Mr. & Mrs., Leigh & Zach (RIGHT)

These guys really know how to play and have fun together and I just love how Zach fits right in!

What you can’t see in these next photos may have been even more entertaining than what you’re seeing here…Ryan is holding an iPad with Dillon’s favorite show playing and at the same time Ryan is making goofy faces and doing whatever it takes to get his boy to smile…worked on Mom & Dad too!

Family…and a field of lavender…ain’t life sweet!?!

Love this perspective my talented hubby captured of Anette playing with Dillion, while his attentive aunties reach for him. So fun!

The most unorthodox of the lot, I think this next photo could be my favorite because it is soooooo this family! Everyone’s personality is absolutely shining through true to form and it makes my heart smile! Randi is fussing over something on her pants, Leigh is cracking up at her little sister, Ryan is probably worrying about an insect on him, while Anette laughs. Terri can’t get enough of her new grandson, who’s looking around no doubt wondering why there’s a sofa in a field of lavender and the entire family is gathered around. Alan seems to be thoughtfully taking it all in, while Zach smiles at the camera, looking happy as punch to be a part of this fun, quirky family. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it!!!

More orthodox, with everyone posing pretty for the camera…but the one above is still my fave!

Peek-a-boo I see you!

Siblings….there are very few bonds as tight as this one! Oh how my heart doth smile!

Alan & Terri…where the love all began! Beautiful Randi!

Ryan was again going to great lengths to make his boy smile and it was sooo cute. Dillon was totally cracking up as was his beautiful Mommy!

Thank you Terri, Alan, Ryan, Anette, Dillion, Leigh, Zach & Randi for once again inviting us to share this special time in your lives with you! We hope we were a part of helping create some more fabulous family memories for all of you! Can’t wait to see you all again next month at the wedding and to see this year’s card! Big love & hugs, Christine & Andy xoxo