When you’ve planned a Hawaiian family vacation from the East Coast, and there is a hurricane that is supposed to make a direct hit to that island, you make the most of your trip, and pray the storm doesn’t hit.  Back in September, I had a week of juggling clients to squeeze them into different times when the weather forecast still looked promising.  (Seriously though my weather radar reading skills were 100% accurate.  Future job?!?)   I was so thankful that mom Uche was willing to switch to a sunrise session on a still morning, which we thought was the calm before the hurricane. Thankfully, within the next 24 hours, the hurricane miraculously made a turn away from the island, so Maui was spared.  Thank You Jesus!  And also great, we had an empty (technically closed) beach and a beautiful morning together with a soft cloud cover.

The kids were so sweet and I was so pleased that their handsome son was able to relax during the photo shoot too.  Almost all of us come with a challenge to a photo shoot, as in life, but some people and littles come with challenges that stay with them for their entire life.  I’ve shot those sweet souls labeled with Down’s Syndrome, or those brilliant kids placed on a spectrum, or survivors who conquered life-threatening illnesses yet are still working through some of the scars.  So being able to create an environment where he felt safer, even near the ocean he wasn’t certain of, and then the lack of other people on the beach, well God used all those aspects to allow me to capture the true fortitude and the fun and the beauty of this family.   What went from so much uncertainty with the weather and conditions, worked out just perfectly.

OK, so a quick tip for those planning wardrobe for a photo session, specifically clothing for beach shoots.  Whites on the beach are always classic, and I LOVE the pop of yellow here.  Also, you can see that Uche is confident in her dress, and rightfully so!  That confidence shines through on the photos too. Of course she has the added bonus of style-points from her job– she is a brilliant designer and wedding and event planner.  (If you’re in the DC-area, check out their business here.)  Mamas, hear me on this because I’ve been there too, choose something you feel fabulous in. And then build everyone else’s outfits from there.  As cute as the outfit for your little one is, and as much as these photos are for your entire family, they are a perfect time to showcase you at your best, feeling your best, and then you’ll love the photos even more.  So without further ado, here is Uche’s resilient and handsome family: