Sara+Joe+Julian // Durham Family Photographer

Sara and Joe are some of our best friends and neighbors. Wonderful movie-watchers, concert-goers, and extremely reliable when you text them on vacation because you left your alarm on and it’s been going off for hours and the cats are upset, or there’s an invasion of ants in your kitchen. We adore them. Geoff and I photographed their wedding back in 2015 (!) and then we ran into Joe in the parking lot of Harris Teeter at like, 10pm some random weeknight a year later and then we all started hanging out. They’re good people and we love them. And now they have Julian, a toddler who is constantly competing for Cutest Baby in the Land, and does so by growing his eyes bigger every day. He is… INSANELY cute. It’s like if you were to ask someone to draw a very cute toddler, it would just be a picture of Julian. Julian is obsessed with cats (the only way to be) and spends his time frantically chasing after his older feline siblings, Cloud and Usagi, while calling after them in a comically high-pitched voice. It’s my favorite thing to witness. The cats aren’t sure how to handle this yet. Max the dog, however, dutifully follows Julian around, waiting for him to drop a bit of food on the ground that he can pick up. Max is one of my very favorite dogs, and was the first dog to ever cuddle with me. He still cuddles with me during movies and it continues to be a great honor. I love all the people and animals that live in this house, and it was so fun to photograph them all in one space. Thank you guys – for turning off my alarm and for being great friends.

Dog laying in green grass
Parents playing at water table with son
Kid playing at water table
Toddler giving mom a high five outside
Parents playing at water table with toddler
Dog eating treat
Parents playing outside at water table with toddler
Portrait of a dog licking his lips in the grass
Toddler swinging on swing
Toddler swinging on swing
Toddler swinging on swing
Mom pushing toddler on a swing
Mom pushing toddler on a swing
Mom carrying toddler
Toddler using tiny slide in yard
Toddler using tiny slide in yard
Toddler using tiny slide in yard
Toddler using tiny slide in yard
Dad tossing smiling toddler in the air during photos
Family photos at home
Family photos at home
Durham family photographer
Durham family photographer
Durham family photographer
At home family photographer in Durham NC
At home family photographer in Durham NC
Toddler shoes
Toddler standing with parents on swing
Toddler and dog portrait
At home family photographers in Durham NC
Toddler standing in living room holding remote control
Toddler standing in living room holding remote control
Toddler standing in living room holding remote control
Shy cat
Woman carrying cat
Shy cat peering around corner
Toddler crawling on floor
Cat eating treat through a stair railing
Dad carrying toddler up the stairs
Toddler chasing after cat
Family sitting on the couch in their living room
Cat peering at photographer
Family sitting on the couch in their living room
Toddler drinking milk on the floor
Toddler drinking milk on the floor
Toddler drinking milk on the floor
Dog lying in bed
Family carrying toddler up the stairs
Cat and dog on the stairs
Toddler sitting in big chair in his room
Toddler sitting in big chair in his room
Toddler sitting in big chair in his room
Parents reading a book to a toddler in front of wallpaper during family photographs in Durham NC
Parents reading a book to a toddler in front of wallpaper during family photographs in Durham NC
Parents reading a book to a toddler in front of wallpaper during family photographs in Durham NC
Parents reading a book to a toddler in front of wallpaper during family photographs in Durham NC
Parents reading a book to a toddler in front of wallpaper during family photographs in Durham NC
Parents reading a book to a toddler in front of wallpaper during family photographs in Durham NC
Kid plays with toy dinosaurs on bed
Mom reads book to son on the floor
Mom reads book to son on the floor
Little kid looks out window
Little kid looks out window
Little kid looks out window
Little kid looks out window
Little kid looks out window
Little kid looks out window
Shy cat peers out cat door
Family Photographer - Sara+Joe+Julian // Durham Family Photographer
Family Photographer - Sara+Joe+Julian // Durham Family Photographer
Family Photographer - Sara+Joe+Julian // Durham Family Photographer
Parents laugh while making brownies with toddler
Parents laugh while making brownies with toddler
Parents laugh while making brownies with toddler
Durham at home candid photography with family
Kid helps making brownies
Toddler helps make brownies with parents
Toddler helps make brownies with parents
Toddler helps make brownies with parents
Toddler helps make brownies with parents
Toddler helps make brownies with parents
Toddler helps make brownies with parents
Toddler helps make brownies with parents
Toddler helps make brownies with parents
Toddler helps make brownies with parents
Kid sits on couch with his parents
Mom puts shoes on toddler
Mom kisses toddler on the cheek
Mom gives toddler a hug
Group hug family portraits Durham NC
Group hug family portraits Durham NC
Group hug family portraits Durham NC
Couple portraits at home in Durham
Couple portraits at home in Durham
Couple portraits at home in Durham
Couple holding their dog during pictures
Couple holding their dog during pictures
Couple sitting on backyard swing and laughing
Couple sitting on backyard swing and laughing
Couple sitting on backyard swing and laughing
Couple holding baby on swing
Close-up portrait of couple with heads together
Close-up portrait of couple with heads together
Portrait of couple in their backyard
Dad puts son into swing
Kid swinging in his backyard
Kid swinging in his backyard
Parents playing with dog and kid in yard
Dad holding son
Parents playing with bubbles and kid
Parents playing with bubbles and kid
Parents playing with bubbles and kid
Parents playing with bubbles and kid
Parents playing with bubbles and kid
Toddler holding his feet
Toddler portrait
Kid getting ready to eat with jacket
Kid getting ready to eat with jacket
Dog watching toddler eat

Tori+Josh+Atticus+Lorelai+Mia.

I love these people! They have a lot of art, and I want all of it. They have some matching Nikki McClure art to ours, as well as a John Stamos-style “Have Mercy” print in their daughter’s nursery. Scattered about they also have pirate artwork, as well as an entire wall with old-timey style art about how loose lips sink ships. In addition, they also have a vintage fireplace screen that I’m coveting even though I have a gas fireplace that’s already covered in glass. In short – we like them and their house and can easily talk to them about Twin Peaks.

BUT THEN THERE’S THEIR CHILDREN. Atticus is 3 and was super shy at first, but once we started talking to him about Richard Scarry cats and their various employment occupations, he was pretty excited. Then he turned into FULL ATTICUS and ran around at a great speed. He read books about pigs! He attacked his mom and his dad and his little sister (in a nice way)! He ate Cheerios! He cooked in his kitchen! He put on a tutu WHILE wielding a sword! He dug stuff up in the yard! He was unstoppable and adorable. His little sister is almost-1-year-old Lorelai who is so freaking cute I can hardly stand it. Her personality so far seems quite adaptable, happy-go-lucky, and along for the ride. She’s easily amused and cute in 100% of situations. Also, clearly has an epic romper wardrobe. Their little dog Mia enjoys sitting near Lorelai during snack time to try and help clean up anything that might fall on the floor.

We had a great time getting to meet and document this crew. Plus it’s really great to know more people who can alert me when fabulous items are placed on Craigslist. Thank you, Tori+Josh!