Part VI

There was a lot of discussion in the months leading up to the reunion about having a family portrait done. There were some of us who wanted to try and find a professional photographer, and some wanted to have Amy pose everyone, set the timer and then run into the shot. Rachel and I were in the first group. We just figured it made more sense to try and hire someone to take the picture and see if we could make sure everyone was looking at the camera, space evenly and snap when the majority of the kids were looking in the right direction. So, Sarah and Rachel started looking for photographers. It eventually turned into Sarah doing most of the phone work, leg work, and arm twister. The first person we decided on, we later changed our minds on because of the amount of money she wanted to charge as a "sitting fee". It was some insane amount of money - she was screwing us over for having a large group. Rachel and I wanted to have a more relaxed setting for our family, and to take as many pictures as the girls would have patience for. We asked Amy if she would be willing to go to the beach with us and snap photos of us on the dunes, and on the beach. We wanted to make sure that we had as many photos as possible. Amy agreed, mostly because she likes us the bestest, and we set it up. Ben and Sarah also asked Amy to do their family's candid shots, also just in case.

The issue of the family portrait was still up in the air at this point. As far as I was concerned, Rachel and I had Amy for our family shots already lined up, so I wasn't too worried. I floated the idea of hiring someone just for the ENTIRE family portrait, and then hiring Amy to do the individual families one at a time. It was just one idea I had. Well, Sarah ended up spending almost a whole day on the phone with multiple photographers asking them all the same questions. It wasn't looking good from a cost perspective for us. Sarah did eventually find Ocean Edge Photography, and spoke with Mr. Allen Hooper the owner/photographer. What a godsend this guy was to us. I didn't get all the particulars, but the basics were: our session would last an hour, he was bringing an assistant, and they both would be taking a ton of pictures. He also was the only photographer that suggested a setting he normally uses for beach portraits for other clients. Sarah went ahead and booked him for our portrait.

Thursday came, and we got dressed into our outfits to go to the beach with Amy for our pictures. Ben and Sarah asked if we minded if they tagged along that morning, to try and make it easier on Amy. They also wanted to make sure that Amy didn't waste an entire day taking people's pictures and missing her vacation time. So, we all piled into our cars and made the trip to Coquina Beach to take our portraits. Thursday was the hottest day of the week, and also the most beautiful for pictures, thank goodness. We spent about 20 mins taking pictures of the family and the girls, and didn't stop until Lindsay started eating the sand. Ben and Sarah also did their thing with Amy, so all in all, it only took about an hour for both families to get done. Rachel looked at the pictures on Amy's camera, and they looked good apparently. Amy is burning a CD with those pictures for us, and I thank her for her time and for her creativity. Allison has always loved Aunt Amy taking her picture, so this was no different.

We got the kids home, fed, and in bed for naps to make sure they were in their best moods for pictures that evening. I pulled out my book for a read, played some Halo 3, MarioKart and Guitar Hero to end out my afternoon. Dinner was prepared early, and then the whole family changed and piled into cars to meet Allen at the shoot. Ben called earlier in the afternoon to make sure we were still on, and Allen said if people wanted to get there a little early, he would start doing some of the families. We met Allen and Phil and headed off to the dunes to start. Things were very smooth, Allen was the consumate professional throughout. He may not have ever done such a large group in one sitting, but things went well. He stayed long after the hour had expired to get the shots that he wanted, and that we wanted as well. I can't wait to see how they turned out, from Amy and from Allen. If anyone is in the OBX, and wants pictures taken, email me ... I have a photographer for you. I'll also be posting some of the pictures Amy took of our family on the beach later, once I get the CD from her ... until then, you'll just have to imagine me in the Speedo *shudder*

Love to all.