In the Garden

When Katie asked me whether we could have her family session at the Duke Gardens, I hesitated. One of the biggest handicaps on a shoot is a crowded location, not only because it's hard to find unpopulated spots without random people in the background, but also - and really moreso - because a lot of people feel awkward having their picture taken, and an audience never helps. The Duke Gardens are stunning, and on any given spring day, they are full of students and tourists and locals enjoying the extraordinary blooms and greenery that cover every inch of its acreage. This wasn't any given spring day, though... it was Easter Sunday, and it just so happened that the weather was spectacular. I knew going in that we were going to be fighting for space, and the gardens didn't disappoint: they were packed. But Katie's family has a special connection with the gardens... not only did both her mother and grandfather attend the school, but her grandfather was very involved with the gardens, and even has his name on one of the millstones in the Blomquist Garden. So we decided to brave the crowd, and what do you know, everything turned out just fine :D Of course, it didn't hurt that they were such a happy group...

Or that they brought this cutie pie along:

This beautiful boy is getting ready to be a big brother, but I don't think there will ever be any doubt about who the first granchild in this family is :D

Katie, it was so lovely to meet your family... it's easy to see where your sweet disposition comes from. It appears all that love has rubbed off on Bly as well... and I love these last shots precisely because I think they really show that off.

xox,

annemie

P.S. Sorry it's been a bit since my last post, everybody - I've got loads coming your way in the coming weeks, though, so y'all come back now, y'hear?!