The hot summer sun beat down on the Ohio river bank. The reflections from the water sparkled through the trees. The river was high. A big industrial fan was pointed directly towards the family table on the back porch. Family gathered. I heard laughter as I walked up the driveway and gave Megan a big hug. We were excited to have some fun down in New Richmond at the McCabe’s home-away-from home with a family photography session!

I have known Megan for a couple of years. She and her then boyfriend, now fiance, Louis, were one of my very first clients after I started RMP! We did an anniversary session at Spring Grove Cemetery, that I wish I could link here, but this was even pre-blog session time! These two were definitely loyal clients and friends, sticking it out with me while I was still fresh into my business. This time around, I got to hang out with not only Megan + Louis, but also Morgan + Joey + Lila! Joey is Megan’s brother, and Megan wanted to have an extended family session to include their parents as well! What a freaking amazing daughter, am I right?!

Morgan, Joey, + Lila and I have known each other for about a year now (Lila turns one in just a couple of months)! They allowed me the honor of photographing their maternity session at French Park, another family session last fall, and even the sweetest mommy and me session with Morgan and Lila! So it is safe to say that I love hanging out with this group of people! This session was extra amazing to watch Lila because she is officially mobile! And boy does she love being on the move! And I can just say, McCabe family, how much love you all have for the littlest of the bunch. There was not a moment during the entire session that Lila was not laughing at her aunts, uncles, parents, or grandparents. It is such a blessing to me to see the love between your entire family.

And even better, I was able to add two new people to that ‘fun people I get to hang out with as a photographer’ list, Megan and Joey’s parents. Mary Beth and Joe came out ready for this session looking fantastic! As soon as we started, Joe even let me know that he used to model back in the day. Admittedly, it may have been on a dare, but you can definitely see the talent here! Look at that nose to temple, guys!!

Whenever I photography a large family session, I make sure to do a few breakout sessions through the shoot. As you probably know, I absolutely LOVE photographing couples; it is my favorite! So, during these sessions I always make sure to set aside a bit of time for those wives, dads, girlfriends, fiances, moms, and husbands to have some special photos with just the two of them. It is such an honor to capture these legacy photos. It is such a gift to your own kids and grandkids to be able to show them photos like this when they get a little older.

As the sun started to set, I just had to get a few more photos of Megan + Louis. This cute couple is engaged and the wedding countdown is officially under 3 months! I wanted to carve out a bit of time for the two of them to do a mini engagement session. And just before I was about to leave after wrapping the session up, I saw their back porch. Look at this guys. How creative is this!?

McCabe family, thank you for inviting me to your home away from home down in New Richmond. And even though it may have been the hottest day of the year so far, you all definitely made it look cool and breezy. I always have fun with you guys during sessions, and this was no different! Thank you for inviting me into your family moments and being able to capture these ‘every day’ moments you normally spend with your family. Only dressed up. And with a photographer all up in your grill! But, otherwise, totally normal. 🙂

Rachel

P.S. I’m so glad I now know that fake coughing gets Lila to laugh every time.

P.P.S. I can’t wait to see those wedding photos, Megan + Louis!!