THE HODGE KIDS

I always welcome family portraits.  Now that we’re involved with the “Make it Count” program, which gives $50 per portrait session to Thirst Relief International, I would even say I LOVE portrait sessions.  Then, add on to that a couple of adorable and hilariously fun kids, and I have an easy day of work on my hands!  One of my favorite things about shooting with kids is they’re so open with their personality.  Adults can take a while warming up to the camera and opening up a bit, but kids are just who they are and you can take it or leave it.  These two little ones were amazing and every time I see the images from that day it brings a huge smile to my face!

Little guy was cracking me up the entire time!  Look at his face, he’s just overflowing with personality!

Moments like this are the reason that I do this job.  I hope that one day she looks back on this photo as a treasured moment between her and her father.  One of those photos that she’ll take to college with her and put on her mirror.

Momma and son hanging out at the beach ;)

Oh my gosh!!  These pictures just melt my heart!

Okay, let me set the scene for the next few photos.  The little ones were playing in the sand for this photo.  It was so cute, but in the background was the sound of crashing waves, seemingly gettting louder and louder.  Then, quicker than I’ve ever seen it happen, the tide was rising.  With each breaking wave the water would run closer and closer to us, at one point even getting my jeans wet as I was crouched down.  As I was in for a few close up shots I heard a huge BOOM behind me and when I turned my head to look, I saw a 4 ft. wave break right on the shore.  The rush of water charged at us and instinctively I ran and grabbed the closest to me, the little guy.  I hoisted him up in one arm and raised my camera high above my head.  Their dad was doing the same, but he was a little further away.  By the time he reached his little girl she was getting soaked by the salty water.  He snached her from the foamy water and carried her over to the nearby cliff where he sat her down.  

As she was still realizing how she was suddenly so wet, I snapped the shot on the left.  Be prepared for some heart beak when you see this shot.  Her true awesomeness came through when only a few clicks later she was rocking a big salty wet smile and was laughing about it all.  Not a lot of kids I can think of would get hit by a wave and be smiling so quickly after.  We finished shooting with her all soggy and I didn’t hear her complain once!

Okay, so here is the winning shot of the day!  We plopped the two down on this little overhang and she threw her arms around her brother like it was the natural thing to do.  Moments like this are so rare, but when the kids are as rockin as these two, they just seem to happen!  

Thank you so much Hodge family for an awesome day of shooting.  Stu and I had a great time with you and we can’t wait to shoot with you again in November!