I first met Melanie two years ago, when a close mutual friend gathered some of her favorite women together to celebrate her birthday, an idea I love and want to repeat this December. It was a wonderful evening and I immediately hit it off with Melanie. She’s smart, interesting, engaging, super warm and full of life. And her family, it turns out, shares those same wonderful qualities.

Melanie had reached out to me recently about doing some senior portraits for her daughter – Ellie. I explained that High School seniors weren’t really our thing. I let her know that Andy & I started out mainly as wedding photographers, but that family photography has naturally grown from that as more and more of our wedding couples came back to us to document the next happy chapter in their lives and I’ve been doing more of them on my own, particularly with babies and older kids. I let her know that during my family sessions, I also take a few solo photos of the kiddos, but if she wanted something more involved, and “senior portrait” focused, I’d be happy to recommend some awesome photographers who specialize in that.

Melanie seemed really excited about the idea of doing some photos of the whole family, since the last time she & Bruce did that their girls were really young. So we all got together a few weeks ago to commemorate this exciting time in their family’s life, as their awesome girls prepare to head off to college (Ellie is a senior and Beatrice is a junior) and Melanie & Bruce contemplate the changes that will bring to their relationship.

I absolutely looooved my time with these warm, wonderful people and the thing that has always inspired me and fueled my passion for photography — connecting with people in a real and meaningful way, was there at play in a major way. Ellie & Bea may even have caused me to reconsider my non-high school seniors stance.

Here’s a look at this wonderful family, who embraced our time together with lots of love and playfulness. Meet Melanie, Bruce, Ellie & Bea.

Momma Melanie and her gorgeous girls…gorgeous, smart, funny, sweet, kind, interesting and engaging girls (and I only scratched the surface).

So, anyone who knows me knows I’m a big hugger. And, if you’ve only met me once, but we had a really nice exchange, you’ve probably had one of my hugs forced on you. I think I get my affinity for hugs from my mom, who was THE best hugger I’ve ever met. She was small, but mighty and would hug with a kind of conviction that let you know she meant it, that she saw you and was better for it. I think of her often when I’m hugging and I smile when I read some new study about how strong hugs that last a long time (sometimes uncomfortably long by most American’s standards) can actually change brain chemistry in a really positive way.

I’m rambling, but during my family sessions, I like to encourage families to reach out to one another…to place a hand on the arm of a loved one, to HUG. Now, I realize not everyone is a big fan of hugging….particularly teenagers, let’s be honest, and particularly not in front of someone you’ve just met like 10 minutes ago. But, I stand my ground and when it feels right, I make ’em do it! And always….the smiles are real, the walls come down and the love….it shines, as my shutter flaps and my heart flutters.

Ellie (left) is a lover, like me. Hugging was not an issue for her. Bea (right) however, is more like how Andy used to be….not a big hugger. I haven’t totally sussed out Bruce yet, but I suspect he may be where Bea gets it from. One is not right nor the other wrong. We’re all wired differently. And, I respect…and greatly admire…those who don’t give it all away right at the start. There’s something special to be found when you gotta peel back the layers. Like with Andy, when he tells me he loves me, I KNOW he means it.

So, I didn’t make them hug and love up on each other the entire time we were together…and the smiles (as in this next photo), they’re still just as real and full of love. But, me….I love those photos above. Which is your favorite?

After we were all warmed up, it was time for Ellie to have a little solo time in front of my camera. And, man, did we have fun! I’m not exactly sure how I got her to trust me so quickly, but when that happens, magic isn’t far behind.

The photo on the left was really fun for me…because Ellie is such a happy little butterfly, looking serious did not come naturally…but….I love the soulfulness in her eyes. And, it was reallllly cool to get to see her reaction when I showed her this photo of herself right after I took it.

Next up, Miss Bea. The photo on the left really epitomizes her for me…again, I only got to scratch the surface with these two lovely young women-in-the-making, but Bea has a quiet strength and confidence I didn’t myself find until many, many years out of my teens. And that killer smile…these girls are going to do great things with their lives, I have NO doubt!

Playing with mom and more Ellie.

Skipping stones as the sun sets on a fabulous afternoon.

Just love this next one…it so reflects everyone’s personality.

Arm-in-arm, hand-in-hand…family!

Gorgeous setting on a gorgeous night with a gorgeous family .

More hugging….just how I like it!

Looking toward her future with bright eyes and an open heart.

I loved photographing these two lovely girls…

Didn’t want to leave mom and dad out for their spotlight time…

Thank you Melanie for reaching out…for more than just the opportunity to photograph your wonderful family! I loved connecting with you and spending time with you at lunch, and also with you, Bruce and the girls during our really fun session! I hope you enjoy these photos as much as I enjoyed all of you! And, I hope they serve as happy reminders of this exciting time in your lives, as your girls get ready to spread their wings and fly. Lots of love & big hugs, Christine xoxo