Two Year & Five Year Pictures

While we were in Door County last weekend, I corralled the children and took their yearly pictures. It’s an annual project I really enjoy and look forward to doing. It helps me improve my photography and editing while creating timeless photos of them at each age. The pictures could have waited until we returned but I was on a mission to take them before the belated ones from last year. Thankfully, both Sweet J’s and Bug’s faces were clear of scrapes and cuts. I planned and packed accordingly knowing the evening light would be lovely way up north. I feel most comfortable taking pictures of people with the indirect light of the evening. It’s soft and, at this time of year, so golden and warm. To make sure my ‘clients’ were extra agreeable, we made sure they were well rested and well fed before heading out.

MJ and I have visited Door County on a few other occasions so I had an idea of where I wanted to take them however, the wheat field was a pleasant surprise. Since it was an actual field of wheat (as apposed to a photography set), we didn’t venture in very far as not to destroy the crop.

It is very apparent that Sweet J is two. This is his smile face. With a side of extra cheese.

But thankfully, when he was distracted, I was able to get a shot of his sweet face. His hair looks to be the same color as the wheat, no? :)

I’m not even sure I know this lady below. She looks too old to be my Love Bug, though she has my Love Bug’s eyes and button nose. This person below is too long, too grown up to be my baby girl.

Bug took a little while to warm up to the camera this time. I like her contemplative look. These shots all look so peaceful and serene but Sweet J was outside the frame karate-chopping weeds and wheat and making all kinds of noise.

As we walked back to the car, I snapped a few of them on the road. Bug did her dancer pose while Sweet J squeezed every last muscle for his smile.

Because Bug did a dancer pose, Sweet J did too, except he could only get one set of appendages in position at a time.

We moved up the road a little more for a couple final shots. Bug got comfy again with the camera and added some sass to her pose.

And Sweet J was all sorts of adorable in his checkered button down.

I just wanted one final shot, one of them together. The excitement of the shoot was wearing off. The grass was longer here and bothered Bug plus there was a really deep ditch right behind them. So, with all of that going on, I only got four shots off and this one is the only one with smiles. It still makes me laugh.

Thanks for letting me share our family milestones. I am excited to use these images in photo projects around the house, you know, like rehanging (any) photos of our family since reorganizing our house last August. These will be perfect!

Apologies for the late post. The children and I have been three states in a week and a half which has left little to no time for blog work. I’m tired and worn out but thankful for the excursions and time spent with people we love. Things are getting back to normal now and I’m excited for the coming week – MJ and I are celebrating nine years of marriage! I have some themed posts lined up (the first one is set for Sunday!!). Lots of gushy love and hearts next week. :)

Have a great weekend and see you back here on Monday!