It has been raining a lot here lately.

I know that it rains a lot in other places – I mean, more than it is raining here, but I don’t live in other places.

I live here, and somewhere inside of me there is a seasonal clock that tells me summer is right around the corner  . . . just right there. 

Unfortunately, I sometimes get lost in the rain.  It is dark and cold and wet. 

I think its because the winters here seem to be so long – so cold, that I get anxious to be outside.  My kids get anxious to be outside.  I get anxious for my kids to be outside.

I think its because I have found something that I really love.  I love to be outside – outside with people – outside with people, talking and taking their pictures.  I love to be outside – with people – watching the story of their lives unfold right before me.  I think when its wet and cold and dark I miss my job . . .

This week we had one perfectly beautiful evening. 

This week we had one perfectly beautiful evening with perfectly beautiful light.

This week we had one perfectly beautiful evening, with perfectly beautiful light, and I got to spend it with a perfectly beautiful family. 

Meet the Tiffie Family.  Meet this sweet couple whom have been married for 18 years.  Meet their sweet girls whom adore their parents, and whom I instantly fell in love with too.  These girls were not timid.  They were not afraid.  These girls were bright!  They were smart!  They were super fun to be with, and on this beautiful night, I had the sincere pleasure of watching their family really love one another. 

Sometimes I meet families who really understand what it is I want to do with photography.  They understand that the “perfect family portrait,” is not necessarily the one where all eyes are forward and all smiles in their perfect place.  There are some families that I meet who understand that I belive every family is unique – each person different and beautiful.  There are some families that I meet that let me share who they are through laughter and light, through serious eyes and thoughtful moments; through the things that they love.  This family loves to be outside.  This family loves to be together.  This family is comfortable, warm, and inviting.  They are on an adventure TOGETHER, and I just got to be a fly on the wall for a couple of hours . . . it was the calm in the storm.  It was beautiful.  Meet the Tiffie Family.