FlorJancic Family
Muskegon, Michigan
“We want you to do what you do best.” Those were my instructions as I photographed this Chicago-area family that came to Muskegon for vacation late this summer. (I can’t tell you how wonderful it is to have someone trust your creativity with such conviction.) And, because of that, I photographed one of my favorite family images this year. Can you guess which one?
The Potts Sisters
North Muskegon, Michigan
I’ve been lucky enough to photograph the Potts family three times now. Although, the first two I still haven’t blogged (shame on me) this one has made it by some sort of miracle. This first time I met the Potts, Lisa was expecting and four-year-old, Ella, was anticipating her little sister’s arrival. The second time, the baby had just arrived and we photographed the newness of what comes along with that. This last time was my very favorite. It was filled with “everyday” moments — Ella hugged and squeezed her now six-month-old sister like a loved toy. She showed me her hideout on the front porch of their home, she picked flowers from their garden and modeled her purple sunglasses.
Lefkowitz/Luria Family
Birmingham, Michigan
Within the first few minutes of shooting, the sweet four-year-old I was photographing bumped her head on the wall hard. Really hard. Sometimes, when you’re photographing children, that’s all it takes. One mishap and things can go not quite as planned. But not this family, working with laughter and the promise of playing dress-up (sprinkled in with a few cake-eating breaks) a little bump on the head couldn’t damper their spirits.
Thank you for rolling with the punches and just being yourselves.
P.S. I must know the name of that cake and where you get it.
Kendra Stanley-Mills Photography 