the fugate family | 20 year anniversary

I met Brandi one day when I peeled into our local Mexican food joint, saw her…thought she looked wholesome and safe….and promptly asked her to watch my babies in the care while I got take out. By the time I got back we figured out we had a mutual mentor in common (Joy Prouty) and a friendship was born.

This family has been in existence for 20 years, a new member added every few totaling 7 new members. There have been many years of hard and many years of glory. It was so fitting to photograph them all together on this special anniversary year. We shot the photos on the land on which the hand of marriage had been asked oh so long ago and the whole session was draped in gratefulness.

Photographing 7 children is not for the faint of heart, but these guys were champs and within minutes I already had all of “the shots” without even having to act a fool. That gave us plenty of time for the shots I love. The tender embraces, the baby lips, the gathered flowers. There is something to be said about having that one shot of everyone looking and there is also something to be said for the other photos that often come in second. Down the years, when boys have grown to men and the baby can’t fit in your hands anymore these photos will prick hearts and pour love over aches.

Thank you to this family for trusting me.