They came to play, Family Session at Gary Point Park | Vancouver Storytelling Family Photographer

Sometimes you luck out and get to work with a family that truly comes to play. This is one storytelling session that got me smiling before it even started. Her lovely husband, the good, good man that he is, wanted to get her a session for Mother's Day, and thought this would be a great update to their Spring session from last year. Usually, I find dads are more reluctant/uncomfortable with sessions, so when they are the ones ordering one, you know that's a BIG language of love!

Susie and I had been texting each other to figure out how to engage her very active boys. And I mean non-stop, get pulled in different directions and having your brain compute which one has a higher chance of survival, kind of active. Susie...I know you're smiling about this because you are the master of anticipation! She also sent me a picture of her youngest with his brand spanking new road rash, asking if she should cover it up. No way, Jose. Those ARE the markings of your boys. Then an hour before our session time, I got another text from her, in complete disbelief, that her oldest has just earned a zinger on his chin from doing a flip off the couch. C'est la vie, right?

I got this idea of water balloons from another photographer that I thought would be right up the boys' alley :). It was a hot summer evening and nothing quenches thirst for play like what these parents brought along to Gary Point Park in addition to water balloons: frozen juice boxes, bag full of flying toys, and the promise of gelato at the end of the session. They were armed and ready for anything. I simply threw in a couple of water squirt guns and some additional water balloons.

As you can see, the water squirt guns were a hit. Especially with G. He got quite creative with how many ways he can spray :). Unfortunately, a day after this session, his bowels didn't quite see the fun of it. C found so many targets to aim at, but nothing pleased him more than to get his mom, that is, until she had the upper hand. As you can see, the flying toys were a hit! And I even got a chance to ask C about his new accolade on his chin. Seeping with pride as he showed off his zinger!

Susie and Ryan are some of the best people I am fortunate to call our friends. Their love and support for each other is inspiring but it's how they extend their warmth and thoughtfulness that makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside. It makes me so so happy to be able to capture what means so much to them - these boys and their love for them and all of their relentless energy. At the park, sticks are ubiquitous and available for little boys with active imagination. Oh the casualties! Mom's firm words and gentle hugs fixes it right up!

G loves to cuddle with Susie, but C, he doesn't often show affection. But for a single moment, C just tired enough from all the activity to sit in his mom's lap and get/give a kiss. Bucket filled. And we saved the best fun for last - the water balloons. A fun idea but for next time, we need to find thinner balloons because these ones don't burst as easily upon impact!

Then a sweet ending to our time. Gelato. Licking, dripping goodness. And you better believe that I got one too!

Ryan and Susie, it was such a ball of a time with your clan! Thank you for filling my bucket and letting me do this for you, again!