The Happy Thomas Family | portrait photography

Stacy.  Oh, how I love this girl.  She is my cousin by marriage (Brian's first cousin), but she is mine.  All mine.  (OK, maybe I do have to share her with a few others). And I can't say enough about how wonderful this girl is.

Because she lives in Alabama, most of our friendship has come about through emails and facebook messages.  Over the last few years we have discovered that we are sooo very alike in sooo many ways.  She is the one who has helped me learn to write better, and I help her with photography questions ... But, mostly, we just lean on each other for that sincere understanding that only two shy/nice/artistic people could possibly have with one another.

I could just go on and on about this girl.  Really, I could.  There is so much going on behind those quiet, soft blue eyes.  She is a mom, a wife, a crafter, a designer, a photographer, and a caring and thoughtful family member and friend.  And, she's a blogger too.  You must go read what she writes sometime.  She is truly amazing at all that she does.

The Happy Thomas Family

So, was I flattered that she would ask me to take their family photos?  To trust me to capture who they are?  To allow me to be the one behind the lens while she relaxed and enjoyed a family photo session from the other end?


Oh, yes, I was!  


..............


The weather can be like a roller coaster here in Florida sometimes.  I've witnessed with my own eyes rain in the back yard while the sun shines in the front.  But, that's one of the best things about Florida weather too, because in December, just days before Christmas, you can have a gorgeous morning, perfect for a photo shoot.

And the Portofino proved to be a perfect location for capturing this family that I love so much!

With mom being a photographer and all, Ammon isn't really into having his photos taken too much.  So we'd stick him in for a minute and then let him play while I captured Stacy and her husband, Brian (yes, our husbands even have the same name).

I just love how Stacy posed herself on Brian in this one.

Ammon definitely was enjoying testing my capabilities to capture him.  These two happened by shear luck that he decided to run towards his grandma right behind me ... and I was prepared for his trickery.

Don't you just love how Stacy and Brian look at each other?  I do!

So gorgeous!  And handsome too!

Ha!  Caught ya again, Ammon!  You can't hide from me for too long!

And this face, this look, I just LOVE!  In this moment he knew that I was watching him, and he was so good at containing his smiles so that I couldn't capture too many ... but, here, you can see that he was starting to slip ...

Mom with her boy.  There's nothing else in the world like this kind of relationship.

Look at those gorgeous lashes!!!

And a little more Brian/Stacy love ...

I've been known to photograph a stuffed animal or two.  I mean, they do deserve some spotlight don't they?  After all, they spend so much time with the family.

Stacy, you are just super gorgeous!  I love you so!!!

Aren't you a lucky girl to have such a handsome guy like Brian?

A little bit of family love ...

And there you have it!  I win, Ammon!  Caught ya smiling!  Caught ya enjoying yourself!

Stacy, thank you so very much for asking me to take your photos!  I truly had an amazing morning, and Christmas, with you guys!


Thank you, Brian, for being such a willing participant!

Thank you, Ammon, for letting me at least capture a couple smiles for your mom!

And the best part of the day?  When we were back at the house, and Ammon walked by me and smacked me right on my butt hard as he could!  Then I knew ... we had bonded!


Love,
Jess

P.S.  Here's what Stacy had to say about our time together:  Family Photo Shoot