Wedding photography usually holds my heart, but family sessions like this one remind me (1) how much I truly love family photography and (2) how important it is to take photos with the people you love most.
Last week, I had the pleasure of getting the Ellis-Stoker family in front of the camera. Basically, Annie scheduled family photos for her sweet family of four. Then, she asked her parents to come along so they could have professional photos taken with their grandkids.
How could Grandma and Grandpa say no to that?!
Now, I’m so excited to share the Ellis-Stoker family’s extended family photos at Purdue University on the blog!
Annie & I go way back!
Before we get into their photos, I can’t help sharing the love I have for Mrs. Annie Stoker.
Annie and I met five years ago when we were both working at Treefrog Marketing. I was a new hire, and Annie worked at Treefrog part time while also managing Annie Lynn’s Favorite Things, her fashion blog. (When we met, Annie’s blog was all fashion related, but she’s had two little ones since, and now has great parenting advice to offer too!)
Annie left Treefrog when she had Henrik, and she graciously asked me to photograph his birth. Henrik Stoker is the first little one I ever had the honor of witnessing come into the world. Needless to say, he (and his parents) hold a very special place in my heart.
Although we no longer work together, Annie and I have found ways to continue working together. For example, she’s served as a guest blogger on my blog to give brides advice on what to wear to their bridal showers! (She let me know that she was expecting Miss Piper when we shot the photos for this blog!)
Annie also asked me to photograph sweet Piper’s birth. However, Piper came MUCH faster than Henrik, and I actually walked in the door to the delivery room as Piper made her entrance and was placed on Annie’s chest. I was able to snap a few photos but made it up to Annie with a fresh 48 session later that afternoon.
(Side note: I rarely shoot births and don’t usually shoot fresh 48 sessions. But, I absolutely make exceptions for friends!)
Long story short, I’ve known Annie for a long time and have even witnessed her give birth! She’s an amazing writer, creative, wife, mother, and friend, and I just adore her.
If you want fashion and/or mama advice, be sure to follow @annielynnsfavorite things and check out her blog!
Everyone deserves to have childhood photos with the people they love most.
Anyway, Annie knew she wanted to schedule spring family photos for her family of four, so she reached out to schedule a session.
Annie, Chris (her wonderful husband), and their kids are very close to Annie’s parents—Ron and Meg Ellis—and when Annie started thinking about it, she realized that she really didn’t have anything other than phone photos of Henrik and Piper with their grandparents.
So, Annie and Chris decided to remedy this and asked Ron and Meg to join them for the session (and watch the kids while Chris and Annie had a few photos taken of just the two of them).
And, I’m so glad that they did! The way Ron and Meg look at their grandkids in clear adoration just makes you melt, and these looks deserved to be captured on camera!
For the rest of their lives, I hope that Henrik and Piper look at these photos and remember that they are loved by their parents and grandparents and are inspired to be just as kind and loving as Chris, Annie, Ron, and Meg are to everyone they meet.
Ellis-Stoker family, thank you so much for trusting me to take your extended family photos at Purdue University!
Oh, I’m pretty sure that Piper is my spirit animal. She lights up when you mention chocolate or puppies!
I’m so glad Meg and Ron were willing to participate in this session. Henrik and Piper will be so grateful to have photos with their grandparents someday!
Seven years and two kids later and these two couldn’t be any more adorable!
During this session, Annie and I ran into our mutual friend Vanessa Isenbarger of Pearl Photo & Design. This sweet photog friend snapped a behind-the-scenes shot for us. And, I’m so glad she did! Chris had his baby girl smiling so big and was clearly working for those smiles!
The sweetest family ever!
You’re never too old to take photos with your parents!
Interested in booking a family photo session?!
Learn more about family photo packages & options here!