Now that the snow has stopped falling and the world outside is looking like a total winter wonderland, I’m loving the opportunity to snuggle inside. I’ve got a huge mug of hot chocolate in my hand, and I’m feeling all the cozy vibes! It immediately made me think of this sweet family session from earlier this winter, and I just had to get it up on the blog to share with you all.
The Anderson family made the trek all the way down from Northern Virginia—braving that brutal post-Thanksgiving traffic—and they showed up with the best energy.
The Carillon in Richmond is easily one of my favorite spots for winter portraits. That white stone acts like a giant reflector, making everything look so bright and clean, even if the sky is a little moody, which was not a problem for this session. It’s the perfect backdrop for pops of color, and Aerizo absolutely nailed it with her gorgeous emerald green dress. Her three boys looked so sharp in their matching Janie and Jack jackets, but don’t let the fancy clothes fool you—these guys came ready to play!
The energy with three boys is always a blast. At one point, Aerizo had them do a “best smile” contest to see who could give me the biggest grin. I’m telling you, I’ve been looking through these photos and I still can’t pick a winner! Each of them has such a distinct, precious personality that just shines through in every frame.
Since it was a bit of a chilly evening, we ended the session the best way possible: hot chocolate and a mountain of marshmallows. It was the sweetest way to warm up those cold hands and celebrate a successful shoot.
Of course, the real motivation for the boys (besides the cocoa) was the promise of a trip to the Lego Store at Short Pump afterward! Honestly, I think every successful family session should probably end with a trip to the Lego store. ◡̈
Aerizo and family, thank you for making the drive and for being so much fun to work with! You guys made my job way too easy.
