You know those deep family friends of yours where you’d just hop in their car after church as a kid and go and play for hours until night service? The ones who could tell you that you didn’t eat enough off your plate and need to take some more bites? The ones you grew up camping with every summer, and that you practiced posing with out in the woods (with a disposable camera, of course) when you were 10? The ones you’d stay up way past bedtime with for the sake of karaoke nights? Or how about the ones who have you over for a pool parties, but first have you take a pumice stone and scrub hard water deposits off the pool tiles!? The ones you scrapbook with for hours on end, give Christmas gift exchanges with every year, and the ones who give you nicknames like ‘lil eh-ca!’ Well…these are the Beeman’s and they are those deep family friends of ours.
It’s been that way for the last 20 years and I am so thankful for each and every one of those years. God completely outdid Himself when He blessed our family with their friendship. We’ve been through more great times in life than I can even count, and we’ve also experienced a handful of sad times together – but no matter what it’s been, it’s been awesome doing life with them!
Take Michelle – I don’t even have to be in her presence to crack up laughing until my cheeks hurt – just ask Jon. The first time I started laughing out of nowhere he thought I was crazy. Then I told him about the time Michelle picked me up from the airport in her pj’s and a little ballcap – didn’t even say hi – and when I sat down in the car, the only thing she said was “Just. Look. At. Me.” Most people would be offended to be greeted like this first thing in the morning, but all we did was laugh about it, and that will forever be my favorite airport pickup! All I have to do is think back on so many of the memories and great times together and I get an ab workout from laughing. I love that girl!
This was the perfect way to start our Arizona sessions, and a really fun shoot for us because they are genuinely some of our favorite people. And it’s been fun to be able to look back at photographing Ritchie and Ashley’s wedding a couple of years ago as well as photographing Eva as a newborn two years ago now. Each time we have the chance to work with this family we have felt so honored.
To the Beeman’s: If there is one thing you have taught me over the years it’s that you don’t have to be blood relatives to be family. From the first time you welcomed our family into your home, up until just one month ago when I was in Arizona and unexpectedly showed up at your front door needing a last minute place to stay for the night, you have always been a ‘bonus family’ to me and I am so thankful for that.
And seriously – take a scroll through and see what a good lookin’ family they all are! We had such a laid back and fun time together taking pictures, and I love how all of their personalities show in the images.
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