Studio J

I meet them separately in the morning and Andrew and Pam are both relaxed and friendly.   Even during the busy schedule of a full wedding day, I always have a sense from both of them that they are thinking of the people around them.  Caring for and serving others is just normal for them.

They had a beautiful, meaningful ceremony surrounded by sincere, good hearted friends and family at the Meeting House in Oakville.   They had the warm ambiance of a candle-lit ceremony and this great mood of friendliness and easy-going celebration.  I was not surprised in the least to experience this open, welcoming community of people that I first met at Jen and Jeff’s wedding.

A foot washing as part of their ceremony.  The same attitude of service to others and to each other that Jesus showed when he washed the feet of others:

Andrew spontaneously creating the helicopter dance with his mom –> this photo was saved by flash freezing the motion and camera shake from me laughing!  (she caught some serious air!!):

A slideshow video of the day:

I’ll add a few from Heather, my 2nd photographer in a few days!

Can you imagine being 2?   . . . and feeling joy and belonging?  . . . with parents that understand play and exploration matter more than getting some dirt on your dress?    Who delight in what a funny, strange person you are?

You live in a place where two talented, thoughtful people have invested their personalities, their smarts, their creativity and their attitudes into making your world rich, fun, safe and loving.   Being 2 is amazing.    This is how remarkable people are made . . .

This is what it looks like to love, laugh, learn and develop your unique talents.   I frequently get this front row seat for an ongoing workshop series on how to be incredible parents.

No staged studio sets,  no “smile for the camera”,  no stereotyped image of what some marketer has defined as a happy family.   These are the real, quirky, natural photos I most love to capture.   When I look at them 5 years from now, I won’t say, “That’s so 2010″   –>  I’ll say,  “That’s so them”.

. . . and a slideshow video, showing part of the session:

This family’s closeness and their visible care and interest in each other are compelling and moving to me.  Janelle called me to arrange a family session as a gift for her dad.   A high school student, paying for and organizing a professional family lifestyle session because she knew it would be a meaningful gift for her dad and her family.   Wow.

At every turn, there were more happy surprises like that.   From the shared family inside jokes to their sense of fun, the undercurrent that each child is valued for their unique selves; to the open-hearted welcome and inclusiveness for the newest family member, Tracey.   This is Belonging.