Family | Jan + Ferah | Chapin, SC

"You have to be a little bit flexible when it comes to wildlife and insects if you want to photograph in a field."

Let me tell you the story of how I stood in an ant bed just to get the perfect shot. Ok, maybe that sounds a bit more dramatic than it was, but when more than six of the stinking critters bit my ankles in almost perfect unison, it felt like rather a big deal.

Did I scream? No, I calmly stood there like a professional, took the shot, and then proceeded to whack at my feet like they were on fire (it certainly felt like it). I was definitely screaming inside. In the end, the photo I got was definitely worth it and, really, you have to be a little bit flexible when it comes to wildlife and insects if you want to photograph in a field. After all, you're in their house. (Or at least that's what I told myself.)

"Who needs cardio when you can photograph kids?"

Ants aside, this session was a blast! I photograph a lot of families with little kids, so Ferah and Jan's adult kiddos made for a nice (slower) change of pace. Their two daughters, Ameris and Astrid, were super sweet and did whatever I asked, not matter how silly! Samuel, their son, was efficient and rolled through his photos with lighting speed, while Jan and Ferah were patient and adorable in the way that only couples who have been married for decades can be. (Did I mention that they're my aunt and uncle? Bias? What bias?)

"Did I still have to flap my arms like a chicken to get one of them to smile? I'll never tell."

Did I still have to flap my arms like a chicken to get one of them to smile? I'll never tell. There were definitely a lot fewer funny voices and less jumping up and down than I usually do! Who needs cardio when you can photograph little kids?

I hope you enjoy this cozy summer session as much as I enjoyed photographing it! (Minus the ants. I did not enjoy that.) Dreamy light and sweet clients make me one happy photographer!