Last month I had the extreme pleasure of spending an evening with this amazing Baltimore family of four. Despite a challenging year, these parents and their children truly know how to enjoy each moment and celebrate each day with each other. Mom contacted me with the hopes of creating images that captured the essence of all that they had learned.

She simply said, "I want to look at the pictures and be filled with all the joy that I feel when I look at them [my family]."

Isn't that what we all want from our family photographs? I know it's why I pick up my camera every day.

In completing her pre-session questionnaire, she described her expectations and goals for their session by simply saying:

I loved how you described your sessions on your website--relaxed and interactive allowing you to capture our life as it really is. This is exactly what I want!!

And this is exactly what we did. There was very little directing on my part. They just hung out together and enjoyed each other's company and I captured it all, just as it was. Time flew by and everyone went home with a big smiles and a sweet memory of a fun evening shared.

Below are a few of my favorite images from the session. I've also included the family's complete slideshow below if you'd like to check out what a complete gallery might include. Please keep in mind that the slideshow is set to music, which will begin when you press play.

Again, please keep in mind that the slideshow is set to music, which will begin when you press play.

Are you interested in capturing the JOY OF your family just as you are?