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Incredible coincidences sometimes happen when I am photographing several families in a row, and I was surprised when I checked the names for this session to find out that Lauren and Nathan were the mom and dad . . . because just the night before, I had photographed another family where Lauren and Nathan were the mom and dad’s names! This L&N pair had a couple of very sweet kiddos who were super easy to pose and up for pretty much anything, including climbing the lifeguard tower, peeking from behind the surfboards, and jumping waves! Poor little Harper fell in the water while she was twirling, but she fought back the tears and continued twirling! She kept her happy smile through the session . . . such a champ!

Planning for this session started way back in the spring! It is Louie’s senior year, and the family hadn’t done family photos in a while, so Marisa was making this a priority for 2024. I was delighted by the beautiful sky and tide for this session, and Marisa and all her guys showed up to make it fun! I loved Dad’s photobomb pose ideas and their youngest son Teddy’s desire for some cool theatre headshots. Louie wore his Cross Country T-shirt for a few photos, and Nick would smile for any baseball reference. I’m glad Marisa had the idea to capture this last year of having everyone at home. College is a big change, and this year deserves all the celebrating we can pack in!

I first met Jordyn’s family when they were vacationing at the Del back in 2022. They had just discovered they were adding another kiddo to their crew of two boys, and I got to meet sweet Landon this time. He was up way past his Central Time Zone bedtime, but no worries! He was there for it and flashed his genuine, happy smile like a champ! Big brother Tripp has a natural flair for portraiture (and basically everything else, I’m pretty sure) and made this hands-and-knees photo happen by lining up his face with those of his brothers without even being asked to do so. I am forever in his debt! Weston was a bundle of energetic fun. I can only imagine the lively household Jordyn and Shane have, and I’m grateful that I got to capture a bit of the beautiful family years they’re experiencing.