For me, photography is always an adventure regardless of the subject. I am perfectly content photographing a cup of coffee on a table or a college student in a cow costume. But there are some sessions that transcend plain adventure, where all the stars align and a session feels like pure magic; when the lighting is perfect and the setting unbeatable.
This session was one of those.
Add to that subjects who aren’t afraid to be themselves and show off a little personality and you have some of my favorite family photos ever.
I met the Stouffers on the University of Wisconsin – Madison campus last weekend, hoping to grab some updated family photos that they could send out as Christmas cards. I had spoken with Jackie only over the phone, which can be a little nerve-wracking: will her family and I have good enough chemistry to take get the right kind of photos, I thought? Luckily, Jackie responded to my insane amount of questions via email and let me know a little more about herself, her husband, and their three (adorable!) children. I was able to get a feel for what she would like her session to be about, and we tossed around some ideas for a setting, hoping to harness some of the fall color here in Wisconsin. We ultimately settled on the UW campus, as the family hadn’t done a more urban setting for a session before and Jackie wanted to give it a shot.
I’d like to think we nailed it.
Could these guys be any cuter?
It was one of those sessions that just made you tingle from head to toe when it was over, where you rush home and instantly upload the photos, holding your breath to see if they are exactly what you are thinking and hoping they’re going to be.
Thank you, Stouffer family, for letting me spend an hour with you: taking your photos was such a joy!
Need any family photos in the Madison, WI area this fall? I’ve still got some Saturday and Sunday sessions available, so send me an email at abbigail {at} inkwellsandimages {dot} come and we’ll chat!
Madison, WI Family Photography | Inkwells & Images