So happy to share this session with my blog!  This was definitely a favorite from last year.  I first met this family for Gabby’s newborn session and was thrilled when Mom called to schedule a family session.  We met at a Top Secret location (haha!) very early in the morning and captured these wonderful shots.  The light coming through the mossy oak trees was so beautiful!  This is what natural light photography is all about.  And, bokeh galore!  :)

Thanks so much, Jen &  family!  Always a pleasure.  I look forward to seeing you all again soon.  :) Kristen

All images ©2011 LanierStar Photography. Do not copy or download,  All Rights Reserved.

LOVED LOVED LOVED this session!  :)

I have known Jess and Kristin for many years.  I actually attended their wedding.  Well, most of it.  A group of us (Hi Mavity and Jonathyne!) got lost somewhere in GA and missed most of the ceremony.  So, we had to do that mortifying, sneaky walk of shame to the last row of seats when we arrived.  This was just one of many times Mavity and I got lost in GA, so there is now a standing rule that we are not allowed to go on any road trips together that take us through that state.  :)  Here is a Polaroid from that night of Jonathyne and I, taken by Mavity.  Haha!

Jess and I met when we worked at the same nightclub- way back when.  An all-ages venue that hosted the best in alternative/new wave/college rock/grunge bands back in the day, Einstein A Go-Go in Jacksonville Beach, FL.  It was a really cool place, one of those things from my youth that can’t be described.  In fact, “really cool” sounds really lame in trying to encompass everything that place meant.  But, if you were a regular you know what I mean.

Jess and I had been talking about getting some family shots done for a few years.  I was happy that his family moved back to the East Coast and hit up Jacksonville for a visit.  It was great to meet the kidlets, talk about their little farm back home and hang out.  And, that is what I really loved about this session.  I hung out on the beach with the family, the kids played, it was relaxed and fun.  I think that is what makes the best images- especially when you are working with young ones.

So, enough chatter.  Here are some of their photographs-

Love you guys!  Hope to see you again soon.  And, Jess one day I will find that video of you dancing to REM!

All text and images ©2011 Kristen Morgan of LanierStar Photography

This beautiful (and I do mean good looking!) family lives all over the Mid-west.  From, Chicago to Iowa and places in between.  Over the summer they took a 2 week vacation to a beach house in Ponte Vedra.  And it wasn’t just the Mom, her 4 kids and one kid’s girlfriend.  There was also 5 of the Mom’s siblings along.  What could have brought all of these people together in such a way?  A celebration.  Susan had completed radiation and chemo for lung cancer.  This trip to the beach was a way to celebrate life and love and all things important.

If you keep up with my blog then you may know I lost my Dad to cancer almost 2 years ago.  Doing a session like this is bittersweet.  As happy as I am to create these images for them I can’t help but wish someone was doing the same for my family.  I was actually a little nervous going into the session.  I was worried I might cry.  Two years sounds like a long time, but I’ve learned that when it is grief you are dealing with, time doesn’t change much.  And I did tear up a few times thinking about what this family has been through, what my family has been through.  But, then brother would hit sister or dog would chase owner or sisters would recount a crazy tale from childhood, and I would laugh along with them.  Enjoying my peek into this wonderful family’s life, who are so very much alive, so vibrant.  Because in the end you have to focus on living, focus on your family that is still with you, so you can keep on going.

Hug the ones around you a little tighter and cherish every moment.  And while you are at it, say a little prayer for this family.  Hopefully I can do another of these sessions for them in 10 years.  :)

See!  I told you they were beautiful!  :)

And this was the sunset over Guana River State Park as I was leaving that day.  Amazing…

Huge thanks to this extended clan!  It was wonderful to meet and work with you all.  :) Kristen

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