While I very much enjoy meeting new families and clients, there is also a special place in my heart for getting the opportunity to photograph friends and folks that I've known for a while. I met Leigh-Anne 8 or so years ago through a networking group when I was just starting to find my feet as an artist (I was still freelancing on the fashion/commercial side of the industry at the time). She has been a ray of positivity in my life ever since. She and her husband, Dave, own Airheads Balloon Art, a company that I've had the pleasure of collaborating with on some of my most memorable and standout portrait sessions: the AMAZING balloon rainbow, the adorable, oversized balloon dogs - all the work of these folks. They really know how to make an event special and how to bring your vision to life, and I was so excited to finally have the opportunity to return the favor a bit.

Finally meeting their children and getting to photograph them, as well, was such a trip. DJ, 13 years old, enjoys sports like most tween boys, but is also the epitome of a comedian/"class clown." His personality, jokes, and the faces he'd make had us in stitches. (You can see one such example below in his "football catch" image. It's difficult to hold your camera when you have tears of laughter welling up in your eyes.) Cat, 11 years old, has this sarcastic wit to her that is equally hysterical. She's currently in the middle of a "unicorn phase," and was sure to wear her snazziest unicorn shirt and horn. We also wanted to capture some images of her vibrant, eclectic style and disposition through some shots of her jumping and shakin' it. The family recently adopted a gorgeous rescue pup they named Noodles through Steel City Greyhounds. Noodles has become such a joyful addition to the family, so I insisted that Noodles be included and come to the studio, too.

One of the activities that the family really enjoys is staying home and having movie night together. As soon as I found this out, I was super inspired and knew that we could have a lot of fun and make some great images by recreating movie night in the studio. Leigh-Anne nailed the wardrobe, getting matching pajamas for the whole family (including a bandana for Noodles!), and I set up my lighting to mimic the glow of a television set. The session culminated in a popcorn fight for the ages - we all smelled buttery and delicious for the rest of the day.