Some families become part of your photography legacy because you’ve photographed them for years.
And some become part of your story because you knew them long before you ever picked up your camera.
Jonanne is one of those people for me.
We became friends in college, and I’ve had the joy of photographing so many chapters of her life since then—her engagement, her wedding to Alex, and now their family as it has grown from two to four.
Today, they’re in the thick of raising two rambunctious little boys, Benson and Theo, and I love getting to see this family in this particular season.
Jonanne is a violist with the Des Moines Symphony, and I absolutely love getting to sit in the audience and watch her perform. It’s one of those funny gifts of photographing your friends—you get to see pieces of their lives that have nothing to do with the camera, too.
But one of my favorite memories from their wedding reception will always be Alex’s toast.
He talked about how excited he was to have a family with Jonanne, and his emotion was so genuine that his tears brought the entire room to tears. Watching someone love another person that deeply is a beautiful thing.
And now, approaching their 11th anniversary this weekend, all these years later, I get to watch them live right in the middle of the family he was so excited to have.
Jonanne is quite the cheerleader for all the men in her life. She’s the one keeping schedules straight, coordinating outfits, and making sure everyone is where they’re supposed to be—with a level of fashion sense I can only envy. 😂
A mini session is never enough time to catch up with a friend you’ve known this long, but we managed to hit the big rocks in person and then continued the conversation afterward through a great text thread while Alex wrestled the boys to get some wiggles out before dinner and bedtime.
Because that’s real life with two little boys.
And speaking of real life…
Hedgie, their stuffie, and two monster trucks also joined us for the photos.
And then there was Theo.
I needed one portrait of just him toward the end of the session, but he was DONE. Completely finished with pictures.
So I leaned over and whispered, “Hey Theo, guess what? I have some fruit snacks for you.”
You should have seen the smile that traveled from ear to ear in slow motion.
It was magnificent.
I think I’ve found my new ace in the pocket. 😂
This is what I love about photographing CKP Legacy Families. I don’t just get to document the big milestones. I get to watch the ordinary, hilarious, beautiful parts of family life unfold, too.
Engagements. Weddings. Babies. Rambunctious boys. Monster trucks. Stuffed hedgehogs. Fruit snacks. And all the love in between. What a gift to keep photographing friends as their families grow!
