Meeting new families when you are a photographer can be very nerve wracking. I liken it to online dating. You meet online, set a time and place to meet and hope for the best. I definitely had butterflies when I met Rachel and Pat Schneider at Hidden Falls for their maternity photo session. There is definitely a chemistry between a photographer and her families. The more relaxed we are, the more creative and authentic we can get.
Luckily, our first session was so easy going. I even got Rachel to go knee deep into the river where she got splashed by the wake of a passing boat. As I got in my car after their maternity session I felt like I had known them for years. When I posted a photos of Rachel laughing in the river her mom commented that she could see her as a child laughing. What an amazing compliment. I had captured her happiness during a magical time in her life.
A couple of months later I was at their home taking photos of newborn Elin. It didn’t go well. Elin wasn’t having any of it. We got a few good photos of her (after 3 plus hours of trying), but I left that session feeling defeated by a 10 day old and was afraid I would never see this couple I really liked again.
I am so glad I was wrong about that. I have taken their family photos yearly ever since. Every year we would catch up on each other’s lives and every year when I posted my family session schedule she was one of the first to sign the family up. I’ll never forget when Rachel told me she was expecting twins at our Fall 2020 session. Such uplifting news at such a tumultuous time. Everett and Ada joined them in 2021.
I adore this family. My dream is to take the kids’ senior photos one day. I am so glad that the Schneiders have grown with my business these past 8 years. I think it’s safe to say our “first date” was the beginning of a wonderful relationship.
