We know.

As Moms, we know.  We know how to laugh about the insanity of our lives.  We know how to not take it personally that our teenagers don't have much time for us.  We know how important it is, to see our son in law make our daughter belly-laugh.

And we really, really know how important it is to get those family pictures done.  Even if it means bribery or threats, to get everyone's schedule cleared off on a Saturday night.  We know these kids aren't getting any younger (and neither are we!) and we know that right now, these family photos are cute.

In five years, they will be precious.

In twenty years, when our grandkids are staring at them and wondering how their mom was ever so young, they will be downright treasures.

Moms know.

They Had Me At Suspenders

I am always very humbled when it works out that I get to photograph a large, extended family.  First, I know that everyone knows at least one great photographer so it's hard for everyone to settle on just one.  Then to get everyone in one place at one time pretty much requires an act of Congress.  Then get everyone in some clothes that actually look unified, and wait, cute?!  Now you're just talking crazy. 

But when it's all said and done, it's really a beautiful thing.  Because I've been in Grandma's house with my oldest son and watched him stare at that huge family photo and hear him ask, "That's me as a baby?!  And that's my cousin as a 2 year old?  Look how much hair Uncle Scott had!  And that's Uncle Brent before he went to heaven?"  And having that conversation in front of that picture, that is worth every ounce of endurance, patience, and investment.

Thank you, Butler Family.  So grateful I got to be a part of that big party of pictures.    

Heroes

A time comes for every creative person when they just get burnt.  And when that happens in the middle of a busy season, with paying clients, that's a recipe for disaster.  And why am I even telling you this??  You, my potential clients?!

Because it's part of my decision to get real.  And real in the middle of fall family picture season, is real burnt.  My creative side can just get fried and then I'm not doing anyone any good at all.  Not myself, not my family, and certainly not you, my clients!

The solution hit me like a brick wall.  Do the most fun photo shoot I could imagine.  With people I love.  But don't let them pay me so I get to tell them where and when and how to dress and what the theme is.  They loved it!  No decisions, just show up.  I loved it!  I could act like a crazy fool and it was so fun!

From start to finish, it took maybe 30 minutes.  The kids were into it the whole time, we laughed every 30 seconds, and even the teenagers had fun.  Hello?!

And it was just what I needed.  It was like nothing I usually do so it felt fun and fresh and totally without expectations.  The whole goal was to fall in love with photographing families again and I did!

Thank you Freedle Family!  You're my heroes!!

Royalty

This was a new family photo location, here in Gilbert AZ that I wanted to add into the rotation last Fall.  And the perfect family signed up for it's first go round.  The R family has one very royal princess and two dashing princes.

As soon as we arrived we took a tour of the castle grounds.  We saw the Round Table for the Knights, we saw the grand ballroom, and then we explained we were here to take the Royal Pictures.  The kids were immediately in on the game and played their parts perfectly.

Anyone can take family pictures.  This family also made a really wonderful family memory.  Thank you Merri!!

Family Pictures at the Farm

When you have a family whose go-to weekend activity is going hunting together, you know you need a beautiful outdoor setting for their family pictures.  And there's nothing better than the private farm here in Gilbert.

It was so fun to play with three teenagers and then let the little one be his own star.  We played A LOT of running games that day and it reminded me that that's a huge joy of childhood.  Finding a wide open space and just RUNNING.

That is until we almost ran into the snake.  Then we stopped.  Some of us screamed and ran away.  Others said "Cool!" and went in for a closer look.  I might have been the former.

And then there were five.

Moms know that family pictures can be a necessary evil.  I LOVE family pictures and even I know that they can be fairly torturous.  And when you have four boys, you might as well poke your eyes out.  But this Mama added a beautiful baby girl to the mix and knew it needed to be done.  Her oldest is turning into a man faster than we can blink, the baby is practically crawling, and don't even get me started on the other three and how fast they are growing.

So family pictures it is.  Freeze a moment in time.  And if that moment happens to also have yummy-licious sunlight, a beautiful private horse property here in Gilbert, AZ, and a rope swing?  Well, then you've got it made.

The perfect trade. Family pictures in Gilbert AZ

Nicol is an amazing massage therapist here in Gilbert.  When she asked if I'd be willing to trade massages for family pictures, I couldn't say yes fast enough.  Then I meet her beautiful children, and I'm like "Yes Please!".

This family has their own unique energy, as we all do.  And it was so fun to try to capture it in camera.  Those two oldest boys will be off to college next year and Mom's whole world will change.  So glad we documented a little chapter in their family story.

Gilbert Silos Family Pictures

Once in awhile, some really hard work pays off into something glorious.  Much like motherhood.  You work for days, months, years with very little payoff.  There are no quarterly reviews telling you how well  you're doing.  No yearly bonus that ties into how many goals you achieved that year.  Not even a customer base that provides feedback via social media.  (my feed would be filled with "nice job on the spaghetti Mom, but that green salad has got to go!")

But glorious moments still find a way to seep through.  When your son answers a question in Sunday School that proves he actually WAS listening for the last 11 years.  Or when your daughter comes to you with tears to admit she did take the last of the forbidden chocolate.  Or when your preschooler begs you to make the oatmeal because you do it the best.  There is some glory in those moments.

Those moments, and family pictures like these, can make the lack of annual bonus pretty much worth it.  As long as there's more chocolate.