Family Ties… | {Tacoma Family Photography}

It’s hard to say just what this session meant to me…it’s more emotions that words that come to mind! I first met Piper when she was just 6 months old, nearly 4 years ago…when I photographed her and her Grandpa Mike! I had not met them before the session and wasn’t sure what to expect, but I had been told that Mike did not like having his photo taken, but it was very important for him to have his photos taken with his new (beautiful) granddaughter! This first session was short, the shortest I’ve ever had, but wow, the impact it had on me was huge and I could see and feel the love and connection that Mike had with Piper…it was very strong! I’ve had the pleasure of photographing Piper and her parents a few times since then, but hadn’t seen Mike until this session and I was really looking forward to it!! We met on a Sunday afternoon (the fog had lifted somewhat and the fall colors were in their glory!!) and besides Piper, her parents (Brandon and Varvara), I had the pleasure of meeting Brandon’s sister, Emily and Piper’s Nana…aka, Cathy!! Of course, Piper was the star of  the session, but what a treat to add her family to her photos and capture some special photos of them to last a lifetime…I was honored and delighted with the time we spent together!! This session was longer than Piper and Grandpa’s first session and we got a few more photos of them together, but the emotions were still there and oh, how I loved seeing the connection these two have! Family is HUGE in my mind and to see such incredible connections between these family members was refreshing and encouraging…and just reinforced why I LOVE my job…sharing in a family’s life and seeing that there still are some amazing family units out there who WANT to spend time together…that is a gift and blessing…which this family definitely has!!

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Piper with her mom and aunt, Emily…three beautiful ladies!!storyboard003

The love that Mike has for Piper is undeniable…and as you can see, her dad has that same connection!! ♥storyboard004storyboard005

Oh my, there isn’t much better than dad and daughter playtime…melt my heart!storyboard006

Emily and Piper had matching dresses and painted their fingernails the same color…what a fun memory for both of them!storyboard007storyboard008

Cathy with her two kids…so great to capture some memories since Emily lives in New Zealand and was home for a visit!storyboard009storyboard010

Beauties…like mother, like daughter!storyboard011storyboard012storyboard013This was too funny, Varvara couldn’t keep a straight face for these photos…I love that she’s smiling…showing just how happy she is to have family all together!
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Oh, Piper…you are A.D.O.R.A.B.L.E!!!!!storyboard015storyboard016

This girl is a beauty…daddy better get ready for the teenage years…he will have his hands full!!storyboard017storyboard018Ahhh, being a grandparent myself, photos like this always bring a smile to me…♥storyboard019storyboard020storyboard021

Kisses for Grandpa…so LOVE seeing these two together!!storyboard022

Playtime with aunt Emily…they had such a great time together!!storyboard023storyboard024storyboard025

Father….Son….heritage and love….this IS family!!!storyboard026

LOVE ~ LOVE ~ LOVE

Mike, Brandon, Varvara, Cathy, Emily and Piper…I so loved sharing some time with all of you, and meeting some of you for the first time…it was an honor to be able to capture some more memories for your family and I hope that we have more sessions in the future to see how you are all doing and to see your beautiful Piper grow up!!

Family…GRIMM | {Puyallup Family Photography}

“True Friends are the siblings God forgot to give us.”

This family is very special to me…we met them when we moved to Washington over 18 years ago…and our youngest children were in the same class as they were starting the third grade…and the rest is history! We moved from Tennessee and didn’t know anyone and soon we had great friends who we now consider to be family! And, our oldest were the same age as well…so it’s as though it was meant to be!! We’ve spent many holidays together and shared great memories, and been there for one another when we’ve needed extra support…it’s our “Puyallup family” that we never knew we had until we moved here! I’ve had the pleasure of photographing the Grimm’s before, but this time was extra special as their oldest child (who’s now grown!!), Anna, was visiting from Germany, and I knew we needed to get some photos of all of them! Seeing them together brings back wonderful memories of this close and amazing family who are not only special to my family, so OH, so many others…they are all amazing! Dad…aka, Kelly has a great sense of humor and has a special gift for babies and toddlers…we’ve named him the “baby whisperer!”  Tammy, a dear friend to so many, is compassionate and caring and gives so much of herself to those who need extra help! Anna, their oldest, lives in Germany, and it’s funny as we all thought she’d never leave the area and here she is, living in another country…it’s amazing to see how she’s grown and see her gift for working with younger children at the Air Force base near where they live. Jenny, the baby (sorry, Jenny!!)…is a teacher and an inspiration to children who are eager to learn…our country needs more teachers like her!!

This afternoon was a bit chilly…and quite foggy, but it didn’t matter as the focus of this session is THIS family and it left the focus on an amazing group of people who are not only great individuals, but also, a wonderful family…an example of what the FAMILY should be…it’s inspiring to see such a great representation of a family that continues to grow and thrive!

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Beautiful young women…their parents are so proud!
storyboard003Oh, how we love this couple…they are the BEST!!storyboard004storyboard005storyboard006

And, even Malibu (their four-legged child), cooperated for this shot…love this photo of all of them!!!storyboard007

AHHH…Malibu sure loves her daddy (and mommy!)storyboard008storyboard009storyboard010

Laughter is always a part of this household…I so love being around them!!
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Sisters…the best, and I’m sure these two would agree!! They don’t get to see each other very often, but make the most of the times they do have together!

Kelly and Tammy…we love you guys and I was thrilled to capture some memories of Anna’s visit last month…here’s to more memories and family times shared!!

Jordan | WRHS 2014 Senior

Last month I had the pleasure of meeting and photographing Jordan for her senior year! If you live in the Pacific Northwest area, you might recall (most can’t forget!!) the foggy period we had, where the fog hung on for well over a week…nearly all day every day!! My…I know that fall around here can be a bit cool and windy and even wet, but the fog…it was not fun and I believe that everyone was more than ready for it to vanish! Well, Jordan’s session was at 9 am on a Saturday, so I was pretty sure we’d have that “in the mix” of the photos! We arrived at her high school (White River High School)…and there was fog, BUT…the sun was doing it’s best to try and break through it. So, we had the fog, but it was brighter than at other times and the sun might have just been shining a time or two…what a treat! I’d met Jordan’s mom, sister and nephew earlier this year and was looking forward to meeting this beautiful young woman! A huge part of Jordan’s life is fast pitch softball and it has been for many years…so needless to say, we wanted to make sure to include that in her session. This busy and inspired young woman is so down to earth and besides just loving hanging out with friends, she also enjoys watching football…in her free time!! She has great goals for her future and plans are to attend Central Washington University next year and would like to major in sports business and her ideal job would be to work with a (major) sports team in the Seattle area after graduation…you go, Jordan!! I have no doubts she will achieve all her heart desires!!

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LOVE LOVE LOVE her dimple…it just adds to her natural beauty…and she’s just as beautiful inside as out!storyboard004storyboard005storyboard006storyboard007storyboard008storyboard009

Ahh…the “serious” look was a challenge…and she usually followed this (brief) look by lots of laughing…oh, it was such fun to see…a happy and easy going nature!storyboard010storyboard011storyboard012storyboard013storyboard014storyboard015

We made sure to pull mom (aka…Sara) in for a couple of photos…you can see just how much she loves and respects her “baby!”storyboard016storyboard017storyboard018storyboard019

Jordan, it was wonderful to meet you and spend some time hanging out with you on this foggy Saturday morning! You totally rocked the session and I was so impressed at your ease and how relaxed and natural you were through it all! Your future is unlimited and I know you will make the most of whatever comes your way…my best to you and whatever life brings your way!! Here’s to a new chapter in your life!!