Summer seems like a lifetime ago, doesn’t it? Even Texas fall. I met Katie for a documentary family photography session on a late September afternoon – the kind of day that you optimistically slip on jeans in the air conditioned comfort of your house, and kind of regret it by 10am. But you stick with it, because you’re a Texan and, well, it’s FALL, darnit!
We had been in communication for months, plotting the right day and the right activity to photograph. It was to be a one-hour session, so – well – it had the be specific, and it had to be special to Katie, Matthew, and their boys Malachi and August (baby Sage, at 11 months, was still an easygoing babe.)
Katie knew that life would be rolling right along and before she knew it, things would be different again. Babies don’t keep, as they say, and sweet Katie holds this concept close as she mothers with great mindfulness and care.
Even before we met, I was struck by how gentle, tender, and appreciative Katie and Matthew’s worldview seems to be – both in their relationship with one another and with how they view their children. They all live in a cozy, nurturing nest together. Work hard not to give in to the pressure to move faster. Do more. Compete. I admire that so.
In the end, we settled on an afternoon front-yard bike ride. Not because it’s a big milestone that needs documenting, but precisely because it isn’t. This fall, after school bike rides were an everyday tradition – one that was both featureless and family-rich – the kind of ritual that makes you pause once in a while, in the midst, and go DAMN, this is what our family is all about!
As a sweet bonus, we got to document a glimpse into the micro-phases each child was in during this chapter of life: Augie had just gotten his first two-wheeler, yes – and baby Sage was just developing that fiery toddler dream of independence, and Chi was enjoying the big responsibility of being the oldest in the tender-most way.
I’ll leave you with some words from mama Katie, who said it best:
