We had so much fun on the 4th of July! We grilled burgers and spent time as a family and then we walked to fireworks. Shortly after we sat down, a fire ignited in the riverbed right in front of us thanks to some people setting off fireworks. The people quickly left after noticing their mistake, and onlookers called the fire department.
It was exciting to watch the first responders come, assess the issue, and attempt to put the fire out. Unfortunately, because of all the cars in the area, the hose didn’t reach, and they had to 4 wheel it with the truck and climb down into the riverbed. The kids were in total awe of their bravery and could not believe how incredibly close the firefighters got to the flames. They took note of every detail, and had a hard time paying attention to the firework show once it began. The heroism in the day to day job was not lost on them, or me. This fire was mild, but it was a perfect depiction of how these men risk their lives every day.
I was definitely kicking myself for not bringing my good camera with me but snapped some shots with my phone, nonetheless. There was this moment, in the midst of the chaos, where the fire was ablaze, the lights of the festivities behind it, and this one firefighter was in the middle of everything. That moment was amazing to me and I was fortunate enough to capture it. There he was, walking straight towards the fire while thousands of people were just across the way unaware of what was happening.
It is so interesting to me how a moment like this, had a gust of wind come, could have ended so differently and all those people didn't even know. They all went about their lives partying and celebrating, and this moment, this heroism was a silent protection of them all. Well, we saw, we see. We are grateful. As exciting as it was to watch, it was also a somber moment knowing this is a constant reality in the lives of all first responders. They don't know what each call holds, and which one could potentially be their last. This was a beautiful moment and we are grateful!
In January I did a giveaway, and my winner is the family featured on today’s blog. The mom who won the shoot was incredibly excited, but her mama’s heart ached at the timing. This would be the first shoot of her family without her oldest child, as he was currently deployed. She shared her excitement and also her hesitation, and she asked if there was any way we could postpone the photos for a few months. Of course, I did not think twice when I assured her that we could absolutely wait until he had returned home safely! She reached out again in May and even though we only had a five-day window to work with, there was no way I was allowing this special moment to pass by.
On the day of the shoot, the weather was beautiful. The sun was shining, the air was warm, and there was a nice breeze to tousle their hair. It couldn’t have been more perfect. I had the usual butterflies in my stomach that I get anytime I meet someone new, but that quickly went away as we all seamlessly broke the ice. To begin with, this family is beyond gorgeous which just makes my job easy; but they also had a sense of humor just like mine which established a relationship and rapport quickly.
We spent so much of the shoot laughing a talking like old friends, which I loved. They made it feel less like work and more like a fun outing with friends. Their love for each other and for others is evident in their photos. Their smiles are genuine as they continuously poked fun at one another, just like a family should. I could have taken photos of them for hours, but the sun had other plans. It is so funny how that happens at every shoot, my last photos I take are always my most favorite. At that point there are no more awkward smiles and uneasy poses, but there is just fun and laughter and then the sun is ready to say goodnight.
I hope to have the privilege to take photos of this model-worthy family again in the future! Thank you Tate family for truly gifting me with your precious time and allowing me the opportunity to photograph your family!
