Best of 2010 {} Families

I’ll start this post with two disclaimers: (1)- This “Top 10” actually has 20 pictures (and even that was hard to narrow) and (2)-these photos are in no particular order. EVERY. SINGLE. ONE. is a favorite for a different reason.

I cannot tell you what an indescribable privilege it was to spend time with so many ab-so-ma-lutely adorable families this year. I’ll try to keep the commentary short, but you know brevity ‘aint my strong suit.

#20.  The Hessel Family. I could write an entire blog post devoted my adoration of this sweet family. Jon is my pastor (which is no easy task!) and Lisa is who I want to be when I grow up. I won’t gush on and on because she’s so damn humble that it would annoy her…but suffice it to say that without her kindness, patience, and expertise, there would be no Relic Photography. Period.

#19. The Beckemeier Family. This family gets two slots and it isn’t because they’re related…it’s partly because they’re so damn cute…and a little because we’re together a lot and I usually have my camera 🙂 …but mostly because we did a couple of “official” sessions this year and I couldn’t narrow down my favorite. Isn’t my nephew the cutest little boy you’ve ever seen? (that’s a rhetorical question, btw).

#18. There’s a great story behind this picture that ends with my mom winning an academy award for her performance that got Charlie to smile. It involved dental floss and it’s worth hearing 🙂

#17. The Kruse Family. So Stinkin’ cute. Just shot pictures of their newest addition yesterday and can’t wait to share them!

#16. The Tucker Family. When she e-mailed to tell me this is what they were going to wear I went into a long explanation of why they should choose something else. SOOOO glad she didn’t listen to me. LOVE this pic (and this Family!). I’ve only met Deena a couple of times, but she is one of the most kind-hearted people that maybe ever lived. I want to be more like that.

#15. The Clements Family. They’re all over my website…and you can clearly see why…

#14. The Yeadon family. If these pics were in order of favorites, this would be near the top. I HEART this picture (oh, and Katie, you’re ab-so-ma-lutely gorgeous…just in case you didn’t know).

#13. The Bain family. You’ll see these kids again on the Best of 2010 Tots, Tweens, and Teens blog…such a cute family!

#12. The Ballard family. Are you kidding me with the sweetness?

#11. The Sznewajs Family. Another family near and dear to my heart…and also with two spots because, once again, I just couldn’t choose.

#10. It was approximately the temperature of the surface of the sun this day and watching Philip discover (and feel) the cold water on his legs was a priceless moment. Not to mention that beautiful light just seemed to follow them  (…and how could you not adore those chubby baby legs?)!

#9. The Pereda family. Can’t even tell you how much I enjoyed this family. Their little girl wasn’t giving the smiles away for free so I sat in the grass and sang songs with her for a long time to get this sweet smile…yet another thing I love about this job!

#8. The Pelizzaro famiy. I think I may do a “best of siblings” blog (so you may see this picture again), but I couldn’t resist putting it next to that adorable family pic.

#7. The Weinberg Family. Some of our nearest and dearest right here. Also represented twice because this is one of my favorite pics of all time…

#6. …And this just makes me happy.

#5. The Shaw Family. Please tell me you printed this picture on canvas?!?!? Julie knew me in junior high and still likes me…which is saying a lot! Reconnecting to do their pics was a definite highlight of my year!

#4. The Mueller Family. I have so many adorable pictures of this family from our summer and fall sessions, but this was my absolute fav. Megan has been a huge (and I mean HUGE) supporter of Relic photography and I have her to thank for referring me to several families in this post. Oh, and aside from being AH-Dorable, her kids are THE MOST well behaved children EVER…I’m totally sending my girls to her house for obedience school :).

#3 What do you get when you combine classy and fun and genuine and beautiful…? The Dames Family. I met them on a referral to do senior pics for their oldest and was thrilled when they invited me back to do some family pics. If I’m ever rich, I’m totally hiring Dana to do my decorating (and maybe some wardrobe consulting as well). She has TO. DIE. FOR. style and I coveted every single thing in their house!

#2. Last but not least…the final two slots go to the Nicosen Family. Bethany is one of my dearest friends and I think we really should have been sisters. Their little girl is clearly THE. CUTEST. and this was hands down the most fun session I had this year.

#1. Are you kidding me? I said there was no particular order (and meant it!), but I may have just saved the best for last????

Dear Families: I mean it when I say it’s a privilege. Seriously.