I’ve had the wonderful priviliege to continue photographing this amazing family of eight for eight years. Even after I moved from the Conejo Valley area, whenever we could and I was back in California we made it work for family portraits. And I have had the enjoyment to be around them, to grow, not just for family portraits, but to see how they live and love. And they live and love well. PJ is an amazing mom–and she is intentional in the lives of her six children, including one set of triplets. I’ve learned so much from her and have been so encouraged by her, personally. We’ve grown, individually, as friends, and as families. I love her kids, and she loves mine. She buys me my favorite iced tea, and not just in a cup, but has it waiting in a carafe. Her home is warm and invites many, and many grow there, so to create portraits for them of their now that will adorn their walls in that home was a total privilege.
Another thing I appreciate about her, albeit more superficial, is that she also has a total fashion knack and a great sense of style. 🙂 Once we chose a location that was meaningful to her family, and I had scouted it, we worked together to come up with a palette and wardrobe that would complement it. The very special bonus was that her two older boys, one is working and the other away at college, were both able to come– a rare and wonderful treat. (But these young men also knew it would mean a lot ot their mom, and made it happen. Such good future spouses!)
There are families in this world that live in such a way that they are like glue for a lot of other families too, and this is one of them. Beautiful from the inside out.
