Last week I got the special treat to work with this amazing bunch for their family photo session at the gorgeous Fort Boykin beach in Smithfield, VA. 🙂 I mean look at this family! They are just so beautiful inside and out. Kristy is an amazing woman who is the worship leader at Elevate Church and she is surrounded by 5 handsome fellas! I love being a family photographer and getting to capture the personalities of awesome kids just like the Bryant boys! They call themselves #thebryantsixpack and although their hands may be full, you can tell their hearts are bursting with love and pride.

We met up at the beach and although I know most families like to have a few posed shots, sometimes kids just need to warm up a bit.  Kids can’t really be expected to just “turn it on” like adults can. They need to check out the space, get familiar with me and the camera I’m putting in front of my face!

I feel like as a family and lifestyle photographer you truly grow as you push yourself and this past year I feel like I’ve really started to figure out my style of photography and editing. I love figuring out what works for each family, and the more I shoot, the more I see that allowing for that natural interaction gets the best photos. Let them snuggle and laugh. Tell jokes or just looking at each other and making silly faces gets real, natural laughs. Make the location work for you. Look for seashells, check out any wildlife that might be around. It’s finding the joy in the little moments that excites me!

Thank you so much to the Bryant family for trusting me to capture you all just as you are. You all are truly beautiful on the inside and out.