As a Senior Photographer, I get to build and sustain relationships with my teens, and usually their moms too.  If you have ever read much of my blog, you know that is my favorite part of my job.  Sometimes I know the people I photograph before the shoot, but sometimes the first time I see them in person is the moment we meet on location.  And sometimes, even then, it feels like I have known them all my life.

Enter Avery and Olivia Smith.  Their mom contacted me after seeing some photos I had done of a mutual friend.  Let me tell you, I was STOKED to get to photograph twins.

But I had no idea how this beautiful family would impact my life in a positive way.  Just being around the girls and their amazing mama, and getting to experience their joy and gratitude for life was inspiring.  We shared so many laughs, now have some inside jokes, and went WAYYYY over time shooting… as they say, time flies when you’re having fun, right?

Fast forward to their Session Reveal, and that is where they gave me the biggest gift.

I am SOOO grateful for Reveal Nights.  I get to relive the fun of our sessions with my teens in the comfort of their home.  Watching and listening to them enjoy seeing their photos for the first time on their TVs with their slide show, and seeing which parent or grandparent will be the one to shed a tear is just THE BEST thing to me.

The Smith Family certainly didn’t disappoint.

First of all, their grandmother and granddaddy were there, and I have never met a more precious couple.  But the way this family adored and cherished the gentle giant of a grandpa, and the spunky firecracker of a grandma almost made me cry, y’all.

These folks are fully aware of how precious family is, and they opened their home to me so I could witness it.

It is my job to give to my clients… good gracious, how blessed am I that I get something even bigger in return?

So we sat down to watch the video.  Grandparents, Girls, Mom, Dad, and the girls’ lifelong BFF.  The oooohhhs and ahhhs coming from them, the laughs, and Mom’s tears when it was all over…  YOU GUYS!  THAT is why I do what I do.  (Check out their video here).

Then we stood around the kitchen while we built their order, all the while Dad was Snap Chatting his favorite images.  Trust me when I tell you I didn’t want to leave.

Funny how people unexpectedly come into our lives and make us richer.

I am so thankful they went out on a limb to reach out to a stranger to document Avery and Olivia’s Senior Year.

I am so grateful that we aren’t strangers anymore.

The Smith Family is one I will always hold close to my heart.

Love and Blessings,

Lymarie