Last summer, we were asked by our friends Alyssa & Barry to donate a portrait session to a fundraiser auction they were hosting in Boston to raise money for Parkinson’s research and the Michael J. Fox Foundation.

We hadn’t seen Alyssa & Barry since we photographed their fabulous Chatham Bars Inn wedding four years ago and so were understandably shocked to learn that Alyssa had been diagnosed with the Parkinson’s in 2005, just a year after she & Barry said, “I do.” We were saddened by the news and eager to help in any way we could. We, of course, happily agreed to donate a session and crossed our fingers that it would bring in a respectable bid for the foundation.

They are once again back at the fundraising and hope to raise another $50,000 as they each prepare to run the November 2 New York City Marathon. For more information or to make a donation, visit the Team Fox website.

Two weeks ago, we finally got to meet the caring and generous family who bid on our engagement session at last summer’s auction – Kathy & Dave and their two adorable children, Hailey & Grayson. We met this gorgeous family just before sunset at their stunning ocean-side home in Orleans. It was one of those perfect fall afternoons here on the Cape, the sun was warm, the sky crystal clear and this particular part of the Cape feels as untouched as it gets. We even saw a couple of seals swim past. It was a perfect day and we had a fabulous time photographing and playing with this wonderful family. Here are a few of our favorites from our time together:

Here Grayson hitches a ride from his mom as the family heads to the beach. I just love this photo…the composition, the colors, Grayson’s adorable little sweater. To me it just screams love and family and all the best things of which our childhood memories are made!

Hailey leads little brother Grayson through the beach grass. Love the flare, love the feel, love their little blond heads! Love it!

I like to call this one…Run Free, for all the obvious reasons. Ah to be a child again!

Grayson has a little alone play time. Check out those rosy little lips. Too sweet!

Little Mr. Independent following his own path. The beach has 4WD access…not exactly sure how I feel about that, but it did make for some cool tracks in the sand for Grayson to play in.

We don’t usually say whose photos are whose (Mostly because we like to keep Matt guessing! One of our friends/grooms from this summer apparently makes a game out of trying to tell whose are whose. We loved hearing that! So fun!) but this one I REALLY wish I could say was mine! I love love love it!!! I think it’s just such an interesting and unique composition. Nice one Andy!!! You rock baby!

Hailey is such a great big sister. Here she gives her little brother some lovin’ which he seems to relish! So sweet!

And here is the happy family for a more traditional portrait…

We ended our time together with a fun family silhouette.

Thank you so much to the Pattison family, who thought enough of our work to bid on our session and donate to a very worthy cause. Kathy, Dave, Hailey & Grayson we thoroughly enjoyed getting to know all of you a little. We hope you enjoyed our time together too and that we were able to make some new family memories together! Thank you too to Alyssa & Barry for thinking of us and for allowing us to be a part of such an important cause. Alyssa, you are in our thoughts and prayers and we look forward to hearing how you do at next month’s marathon! You Go Girl!!! xox Chris & Andy