Doing at-home lifestyle family documentation is normally a very fun thing to do, but it becomes even more fun when the family is British and have fun accents, and when their 3-year-old daughter makes you tea. Clare and Dan live in a phenomenal old neighborhood in Durham that reminds me a bit of my old ‘hood in Pittsburgh. And their house is adorable, bright, fun, and 100% complete with KISS Mr. Potato Head dolls. They moved from the UK to America several years ago and first landed in Los Angeles, and then hopped across the US to land in Durham. From across the pond they bring with them their wonderful senses of humor but also the knowledge of this British kid’s television show involving a cute monster-looking guy whose name currently escapes me but was reminiscent in the best ways of My Pet Monster (which was brilliant). Harper likes this monster, but also Daniel Tiger and Peppa Pig, and also occasionally snacking on goldfish crackers straight off the pond on top of the dollhouse that Clare painstakingly made her. Baby Lyla is happy and sleepy, and not yet appreciative of all of Clare’s household crafts (of which there are many fabulous ones!). I had a great time hanging out with this family and learning such phrases like being “duffed up on the nugget.”
You guyyys, meet Beth and Darrin! Beth is the absolute mastermind behind Early Bird Photo and also serves as the photographer for Chapel Hill, Durham, and Chatham Magazines because she’s brilliant. She also sews (she made the kickass dress with pockets she wears in the second half of this session!) and reads and likes to tell you about their dogs and is a total joy. She’s outgoing and easy to talk to and there was a lot of lamenting on both of our parts about the struggles and joys of growing your hair out, cutting it back off again, only to grow it out once more. Darrin, meanwhile, likes to ferment stuff. He ferments a lot of things! Apparently there’s a garlic habanero sauce that is fermented that sounds like I might be tempted to eat it with a spoon but then that would also be a mistake. He also enjoys gardening and cars.
They have two dogs: Willow the Sweet and Fearful, and Rooney the Cutest Dog Butt. Willow spent literally 100% of her time with us actively running away in fear or hiding behind her parents and shaking. We photographed her from far away, did not make eye contact, and did not approach, but it was still SHEER TERROR and she hated every minute of it (hope she doesn’t leave a Yelp review). Rooney, however, is indeed the Cutest Dog Butt, and is fluffy and small and extroverted. He was not fearful despite being a tenth of Willow’s size.
We documented this joyful family of 4 together at all of their favorite spots around town to celebrate Beth and Darrin’s 6+ years together, and now we have four (well, maybe three) new friends. Thanks to Pie Pushers, Letters Bookstore, and Bull McCabe’s for permission to shoot some photos inside!
Remember Amanda, Joe, Michael, Lucien, and Aria from this summer? Amanda was pregnant then, and the boys were so excited. They didn’t know if they’d have a new sister or brother, but they were cool with either, and just so excited to help their mom and dad. Amanda and Joe planned a home birth, and Michael was to announce the sex of the baby. But, as it often does, life got a little bit in the way: a bad house flood caused by a hot water tank that happened while they were on vacation put a damper on things, causing the family to have to live elsewhere during home repairs while 36-40 weeks pregnant. However, a family friend quickly and successfully fixed their home good as new (including beautiful new hardwood floors!) and Fiona, their new baby girl, was born on September 15th successfully at home on the morning of Hurricane Florence. Michael was indeed able to announce to everyone that they had a new little sister, and now another girl joins the ranks of the household, evening up the numbers to 3 girls and 3 boys (yes, of course I am counting Aria the Husky as a member of the family). So happy for all of them! It was so fun to document them again. They’re such a tight knit group, and the boys are obsessed with their little sister! We had a great time taking some updated shots around the house (Amanda was especially interested in documenting the family dynamics pre and post new baby), and then walking along the beautiful greenway near their home where Amanda, a super talented photographer herself, often likes to shoot. Such a great time working with this fabulous family again!
