:: Renee, Cody, Casey, and Chad

I will unashamedly say that this crew is one of my favorite families to photograph! I know that when I am around this family that there will never be a dull moment and as the session goes on, it will become increasingly difficult to keep a straight face.

I first met Renee when she booked a session for Cody and his girlfriend Sandra. Since then, I have come to know and love Renee like a surrogate mom of sorts. Renee's relationship with her children and her spirit remind me so much of my own mom and the boys remind me of my brothers that I am currently missing something fierce, compliments of dear ol' Uncle Sam.

Anyway...Renee wanted to do a family session that marked the different parts in her son's lives, from the time they were born (their baby rings) and Cody's Marine career to present day. Being the mother of two boys myself and the fact that this will be my first Christmas without either of my brothers while they are away serving in the military, this was an emotional session for me to edit. This session reminds me just what our loved ones sacrifice while they are serving their country and it also painfully shows me first hand that the growing up of our little boys happens way too fast. I feel so fortunate to be an honorary member of this ragtag crew's family and look forward to documenting their lives for many, many years to come!

I do believe that this is right after I asked for their "Blue Steel" look? Pretty close...




Out of these next four photos, I would be hard pressed to find a favorite. I love this photo because it so perfectly shows the "now" and "then" in Cody's life.





This photo gives me chills everytime I look at it. These dogtags were the pair that Cody placed in his boot when he served in Iraq. For those of you who aren't from a military family, these dogtags are placed in a soldier's boot so that if the worst happens, he can be identified. It hurts my heart to know that my own brother is currently walking around Iraq with a pair of his dogtags secured in his boot.

These rings all belonged to the boys when they were babies and Renee wanted to capture their tiny sweetness in contrast to the men that her boys have become. Again, don't know if I can choose a favorite...