Some children are more comfortable in their own home.  A dark studio can be scary for some wee ones, but their own bedroom is always a safe and snuggly refuge.  They can be themselves.  Jump on their beds.  Show me their favorite toys.  Show me their expert swinging and hula-hooping techniques.  In short, kids get to be kids.   And I kind of get to be one too.D_M_W_001 (1) D_M_W_025 (1) D_M_W_026 (1) D_M_W_035 D_M_W_041b D_M_W_059 (1) D_M_W_073 D_M_W_078 D_M_W_083 D_M_W_165 (2) D_M_W_014

Since my North Dakota Catholic farm-girl upbringing didn’t exactly provide a plethora of multi-cultural opportunities, this was the first time I had ever seen an hora danced in person.   It was amazing!  I was on the verge of tears as I watched it (remember, I’m a mush bucket).  It was a complete rush of energy and emotion, pure joy in motion.  Every time I see that image, I’m taken right back to the moment, and I’m swept up in the tide of community, family, faith and celebration. 

About nine months after I photographed Josh and Susan’s wedding, I received a call from Grandma Feldman, wondering if I would be available to photograph her 80th birthday party.  Myrna and I chatted several times on the phone discussing the event, but as we chatted we were easily sidetracked into discussing our families, our childhoods, and our communities.

When Myrna arrived at the Copenhagen room in Plymouth’s Radisson Hotel and Conference Center she greeted me like a friend, taking my hand in both her hands and telling me how beautiful I looked.  Believe me, I’ll take a compliment wherever I can get it, but more than the generous compliment, I appreciated the warmth and sincerity of her welcome.  And as the guests started to arrive, it became apparent that everyone there appreciated her warmth and sincerity. 

Myrna greeted each guest with open affection.  She’d hold each face in her hands and plant a smooch on every cheek.  As she talked with guests, she’d hold their hand or put a hand on their arm.  And again, I was amazed.  Stoic Czechoslovakian farm families don’t kiss cheeks, and they only hug when forced to do so through social pressure.

After guests had a chance to eat, Myrna’s son, daughter, daughter-in-law, granddaughter, and several friends all stood up to share stories about Myrna.  Some of those that spoke did so through tears, and every story had a similar theme – Myrna’s seemingly endless capacity to love.   

I watched Myrna while her friends and family spoke of her.  She was standing behind her grandson, her arms wrapped around his shoulders, with her chin resting on his head.  It was such a beautiful gesture, telling the entire history of their relationship in a single moment.

As I watched this moment and listed to stories of Myrna’s love and devotion, I was stuck with the realization that Myrna has the answer.  This 80-year-old grandmother and pre-school teacher is a living testament to the meaning of life – to love and be loved in return.  It couldn’t be more simple and yet to see it done so well and so completely was simply amazing.

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David has a daughter; Olga has two daughters and two sons.  Come May 30th, they’ll officially be one big, happy familial unit.  But when I arrived at their door with my gear in tow, it was obvious that this group wasn’t waiting for anyone to grant them “official” family status.  They were already acting exactly like a family.  Kids teased each other.  Older kids helped younger ones get ready.  Parents cleaned up faces and put out snacks. 

Since this will be a marriage of families and not just individuals, we included all the children in the session, taking some portraits in their family room and then moving to the nucleus of the home – the kitchen.   Becuase this family spends most of their time together in their kitchen, it was the perfect setting for an informal portrait.  Even the family pets got face time. 

Once the cat, dog and all five kids were released from their final portrait in the kitchen, it was time to photograph the bridal couple alone.  However, if you have children, you know that the word “alone” doesn’t exist in your vocabulary.   And if you think being photographed is challenging, try having schmoopy, lovey, kissy pictures taken while your kids heckle you.  But Olga and Dave handled it like true champs, and we had a great time photographing just the two of them.  Some of my favorite images of them are when I would ask for their ”serious” faces, and instead of giving me their best Zoolander pose, they’d break out into grins and giggles. Isn’t love awesome?  Olga_Dave_Eng003 Olga_Dave_Eng010 Olga_Dave_Eng011 Olga_Dave_Eng022 Olga_Dave_Eng033 Olga_Dave_Eng036 Olga_Dave_Eng039