The Hongs have been sticking with Farrahn E. Photography since the beginning. I mean…you know that’s true when you’ve got a shoot together from the infamous Augusta train tracks on The Riverwalk. Please don’t judge! I just adore this family so much. They’re loving and super honest. I witnessed their marriage and photographed Heston’s newborn pics. They’ve really become friends, and it has truly been a pleasure and an honor capturing their family’s growth and beauty over the years. This shoot may very well be one of our most memorable shoots – not only did Heston continuously point at me while aggressively telling me “NO!” to pictures, but he ran from us, rolled his eyes, and gave me the death stare for majority of their shoot. I actually found this quite amusing and figured he’d have to learn sooner or later that I don’t give up easily. Hehe! Another thing that makes this shoot very special and hopefully near and dear to their hearts is that we added a verrrry sweet and funny couple to the mix this year. Without going into too much detail, I will just say that Jin’s aunt and uncle joined us, and his aunt pulled me aside as I was giving them directions at one point and told me “You gotta make this a really good one for me!”. The entire time I edited their pictures, I kept thinking about my grandma and grandpa and how much their relationship paralleled this couple’s relationship. I kept wishing I’d taken them in the backyard and gotten some special pictures like these. I think it’s amazing that Hanna thought to do this, and I hope they’re family loves these images as much as I do!

Many photographers affectionately refer to themselves as “lifestyle” photographers. It wasn’t until recently that I really started exploring what a lifestyle photographer truly is. It’s not simply a family or child photographer as I used to think. It’s a photographer that comes into your home or invites a family on-location and captures the family as is. Now, that’s not to say that the families can’t spend extra time coordinating their outfits or putting on makeup, but it’s less posing (notice I did not say NO posing) and more natural. More snuggles, more laughs, more relaxing together on your favorite couch or spot in your home, dancing together, and just doing the goofy things that connect loved ones.  I spoke about wanting that to come across in my photos, and I think this one honed in on that. The R Family wanted to keep the shoot as easy as possible. That’s not normally a “thing” with newborn shoots. This one lasted as long as a typical family shoot and we didn’t use a ton of props.  We didn’t wait for their youngest beauty to sleep. We went with shots whether she was sleep or awake, and I have to say I loved the outcome. Such a beautiful and easy-going party of FOUR now!

Gorgeous Girls!

Thanks for looking! Peace & Love.

I get so very nervous when I “shoot” my closest friends, so needless to say I was sweating bullets when it was time to get a few updated shots of Ciera for her new and upcoming website/blog. It’s just that they’ve supported and believed in my work since the verrrry beginning. They encouraged me to make this business work for me during times when I’ve doubted my ability and talent. They sometimes have more faith in what I’m capable of than I do, so I feel this immense pressure to make their vision come to life when the ball is in my court. Ciera has been there since before Farrahn E. Photography, listening to my stories and encouraging me. Now, her own business has taken off full speed ahead. She’s got an amazing cleaning company, Karma Clean. Their attention to detail and use of natural products is unmatched. I’d mentioned being a little stressed and overwhelmed to Ciera, so they sprayed lemon grass essential oil on our linen, and it really did make a huge difference. What cleaning company takes those measures?! I was blown away by the job well done. I’ve also been using natural household cleaning products, detergent, soaps, and scrubs that Ciera and her mom MAKE. My skin is super sensitive, and their products have been awesome for me! The buck doesn’t stop their for Ci – she is also one of the best mothers I know and a mentor to other young girls. I can’t speak highly enough of the positive spirit that is Ci. I can’t wait to see her business and blog take off. She’s such a beautiful person on the outside AND the inside. I’ve always known she was destined for greatness…

All week my students have been reminding me that we are in the final days of “Summer 16”. It was a busy one, and it zooooooomed by – as all summers do when you’re a teacher! Before it is long gone, I want to make sure that a few of my summer shoots make it to my little corner of the web. First up is Nicole, Richard, and their amazingly awesome and beautiful baby boy, Cruz. I’ve been waiting on Nicole to book a family shoot since she announced her pregnancy. Hehe! I’m not joking about this! I just knew she’d come with some type of cool coordination, and I knew they’d be naturals in front of the camera. I gave them a little direction, but all in all…I simply captured their family interacting with one another. I don’t think the things that they did and said were much different than what I’d catch on their snapchat feed, and I have to say I LOVE shoots like that! I literally teared up during the shoot when Cruz got sleepy and Richard starting singing the sweetest song to him while Nicole tried rocking him. When I think of photographers that I want to someday photograph my own family…I LOVE photographers that capture natural smiles in natural light with genuine laughs/smiles, and sweet snuggles. If that’s the type of photography sessions you’re into – I might be the photographer for you, and I think you’ll enjoy this shoot because that’s the essence of this one! 😉

 

I’m like a month (or two) late on this post, but this is certainly a blog worth sharing – late or not! My beautiful little cousin (always my little cousin even if you’re absolutely grown now – HA!) graduated this year, and of course I shot her graduation pictures. I laughed throughout the entire shoot because her baby girl is SOOOOOMETHING ELSE!

I am beyond proud of how hard she worked to get her degree! I feel like it was a struggle for me, and she did it with a little one! As cliche as it might sound…the sky is the limit. Continue to set a positive example for your baby girl and knock out those goals! We’ve done a horrible job at spending as much time together as we should, but I see you and again – I’m so very, very proud of you! Love you! XO.

Take a look at a few of my faves!

This is my FAAAVE! In fact, I might print and frame this one for my place. 😉

Thanks for looking! Peace&Love.