Creating a family legacy. Cultivating a life full of love, joy, and connection. Sisters and brothers. Cousins. Grandma and grandpa. A life full of family is such a blessing to give to the generations that come after us. And being able to capture small moments of that love is such a gift to me as your photographer.

Sarah reached out to me for a celebration session for, her son, Grayson’s first birthday and cake smash (you will see those sweet images a little further down). As we began planning the session, it evolved into something even more special for this family. A full family session with Sarah’s parents, brother, and sister along with all of their families too!

It became a little bit of a Saturday morning party as we started capturing each family. Aunts and uncles were trying to make their nieces and nephews giggle and laugh. Grandma and grandpa got to see their entire family at once. Cousins chasing cousins. Dads laughing with their daughters. Moms loving on their kiddos. It was so fun!

I come from a pretty large extended family (my mom was one of 8 kiddos!), and I know how fun it can be when we all get together. The Gellenbeck legacy family session was exactly as a big family get together should be. Joyful with a little bit of silly thrown in. I always make a point during these legacy sessions to focus on where it all started. With the love of grandma and grandpa. Without their choice to grow in life’s journey together, none of the rest of this beautiful family would be here. Even with their own kiddos all grown up, with little ones of their own, it is always a special moment for me to capture a few stolen moments for just the two of you, Laurie and Tim.

Hey cousins!

And Grayson! And we just had to add in the most ONEderful cake smash there ever was for Grayson’s birthday! It seems like such a short time ago when Grayson was still brand new to the world, taking his photos. Sarah is so creative–she even brought one of his baby photos for him to hold!

A big thank you to Tim and Laurie for sharing your beautiful family with me! It was an honor to capture these photos for you!

Rachel