* Glenarm Illinois * Anniversary & Family Photographer *
pending time with the Dickson family is like a walk down memory lane. Michelle and I were in the same grade growing up in the Chatham, Illinois school district of Glenwood. Her older brother, Matt was a year older than us in school. And younger brother, Brett is close in age with my younger brother and sister. I even helped my sister photograph Brett and his bride, Brittany’s wedding last year. Which was gorgeous, by the way! And to add one more connection, their dad Mike was my grade school principal! We have many paths that cross, yet we don’t see each other very often. So when Brittany reached out to me about photographing an extended family session to celebrate Leslie and Mike’s 40th wedding anniversary I was very excited!
We met bright and early to try and beat the July heat last Saturday on Lee’s family farm in Glenarm, Illinois. Lee is Michelle’s husband and high school sweetheart, who was one of my classmates! LOVE IT! Their two little cuties, almost 3 year old Carter and his 6 months old sister, Claire joined as well. Along with Brett and Brittany’s adorable daughter, Ellie, also 6 months! Matt and his lovely wife, also Brittany, came from Kansas City for the session. And of course the couple of honor, Leslie and Mike rounded out the group. We started off by a beautiful pond with the whole family. Leslie also wanted to recreate some of the photos from their wedding 40 years ago and brought her album to show me exactly what she was looking for. She even had a framed photo which captured her in her lacy, white dress and Mike in his tux. We definitely had to incorporate that photo into their new pictures. Even a vase of white daisies were brought as these were the same flowers in Leslie’s wedding bouquet. How fun! We played around with all the kiddos, who made us work for those smiles. All those adults jumping around, in the heat, making crazy noises was utterly hilarious! We finished off with some cousins in a bucket and a full group sunglasses shot and called it a day! I’m thrilled I was able to spend time with this wonderful family, who I have ties with that go way back! Congrats Leslie and Mike on 40 Years of Marriage and blessings to many, many more!
Warm Regards,
Lauren
