Sznewajs Family

Ok, I’ll start by addressing the rhetorical question: no, I can’t pronounce their name either. I have, however, been practicing for quite some time now and I’m getting close 🙂 (…the “Sz” really sounds more like “Sch” and the “wajs” is pronounced “vice”…which makes perfect sense).

Anyway, Michelle is my brother’s wife’s sister…which, of course, makes her…well, not related to me at all…but she and Chris (and little Philip) sure feel like family.

I was honored when Michelle asked if I’d do some family pics for them because she’s big time (which she’ll kill me for saying) and works as a senior publicist for Oprah (that’s right, the Oprah). She knows people. Talented people. Important people. People who are certainly fancier and far more experienced than little ‘ole me. So when she e-mailed to set something up while they were in town for a family reunion I was seriously excited.

And how could I not be at the opportunity to shoot this adorable family…

Their “not-so-little” man is about 8 months old and the last time I saw him he looked this this:

Okay, well, that’s not true…I think I saw him one other time since then, but regardless, he’s grown up SO fast! (btw, note to aspiring photogs…we took the above pic (and a bunch of other cute ones) on the floor of his grandma’s kitchen after a baby dedication using the only available window light in the house–a little natural light goes a long way 🙂 ).

These three are such a fun little family…

…and Philip is too cute for words:

are you kidding me with those eyes?????? Watch out ladies….

“Look mom, no hands…”

…a special note of thanks is due to Michelle’s mom who sweated it out with us and gets all the credit for Philip’s adorable smiles. He’s clearly a BIG fan of his Grammy.

The temperature for our photo shoot was approximately equal to the surface of the sun, so we took a little time to dip the toes in a cool stream…Philip was a big fan.

…and so was I cuz it made for some super cute pics.

Love, love, love these…

Philip was such a trooper and was so tired by the time we were done…but he saw the swings on our way out and he was NOT about to miss out.

Dear Philip: please don’t be bigger than me the next time I see you.
Dear Chris & Michelle: Seriously. It was an honor. And he’s Ah-dorable. And you guys are the sweetest. And I’m already looking forward to round 2 at Thanksgiving.