I think that few things in this world are quite as unique as families; the way that they build over time and create generation upon generation of legacies. It’s actually really amazing to trace back the roots of any family and see just how far back they go and the stories that have been told along the way.
When I was growing up, all of our family on my Mom’s side would go to our cottage in the Muskokas at least once a summer and every year we would gather at the same spot along the lake and take a family picture. It’s priceless to look at how much the pictures have changed over the years and who has joined us along the way; boyfriends and girlfriends, various furry friends, neighbors. Even the lake itself has changed in its own way. But time and time again, we do our very best to capture a tiny piece of the years that seem to pass us by far too quickly.
Family dynamics are so amazing to photograph and now that I’m about to be starting my own family, I have an even better appreciation for them. Having generations come together to record a certain time in their life is such a special thing to do and frankly, more of us should be doing it because before you know it, the landscape of our family portraits begin to evolve; grandparents get older, babies are born, in-laws are inherited, pets are adopted…and things change.
Marie-Josée and I started planning her family’s photo session way back in the summer, long before the cool Ottawa air started to roll into town. We were armed with spreadsheets and flow charts in hopes that I could keep all of the relatives straight but in the end, the youngest generation and the piles of crisp autumn leaves prevailed…and we had a blast!
My words of wisdom after my morning with this dear family…? Take the time to record the evolution of your family because it is forever going to change from one year to the next. As weddings and birthdays and graduations continue to occur…you’ll be glad that you did.
Oh…and when it comes to children…forget the spreadsheets! Just click your camera like a madman and hope for the best!!!
7 comments:
beautiful pictures Gen--- You gotta love the Fall. I love the pic of the boys in their grandparent's arms... you aren't exactly sure if they are hugging or going to wring each other's necks!! :)
Great job! Lindsay
Such a great time we had. You have to know Marie-Josée to know that organization (spreadsheets) is her middle name LOL! I agree with you that letting the grand-kids take over was the best. Beautiful pictures that I have been proudly showing off to anyone who comes too close to my computer :) Will cherish these for a long time and certainly will want to do this again as more grand-kids get added. Thanks so much for a great time
Ginette
PS - the boys were not trying to stangle each other in that picture with us, they just wanted to kiss :)
hello... hapi blogging... have a nice day! just visiting here....
Love that first shot!
Beautiful words and beautiful photos :)
<3 I love the ones with the brothers interacting :D Especially the one of them making faces at each other!
I loved this post. Thanks so much for sharing it :) I love the fall colours too.
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