Zach and Nina
Zach and Nina :: Engagement Photos, Columbus, Ohio
The Last Boyden's (No, Really. I Promise.) :: Family Photo, Columbus, Ohio
This post serves as the third in a series I've just now entitled, "The Boyden's: A Global Family". This isn't the title because it's a progressive idea of how to approach familial issues with a global mindset. It's the title because I've come to be convinced that, in some way, we're really all Boyden's (and we should be proud)...
The Other Boyden's :: Family Photo, Columbus, Ohio
One of my favorite things about taking photos and having lots of siblings is that I can employ a healthy dose of guilt and passive aggression when they ask anyone but me to take their photos. It's one of those awkward joys.
Just kidding. I would be a terrible person if I had thoughts like that!
What I really meant to say is that one of my favorite things about taking photos is that sometimes, I have the pleasure of being asked to photograph one of my siblings and their family. And here's what's so good about this. I'm also blessed that I call my siblings my best of friends, and as a result, I know them better than I know anyone else.
But here's the good part: This means that when I'm looking at one of my siblings through the camera, I can tell, without any shadow of doubt, that I've caught them at their best. I know this because I've seen them in their best and in their worst and much of what's in between. For a few of them, I've even seen many their different flickers of expressions of satisfaction and happiness, and in that photo above, this is my sister, Anna's, most peaceful, satisfied expression of happiness.
Buy you know, you could probably see that now, too.
Enjoy,
Rachel
The Boyden's :: Family Photo, Columbus, Ohio
Yesterday Tim and I had a conversation about modern feminism. I'll spare you the details, but I will say that I am so very grateful to be surrounded by women who are marked by these characteristics: humility despite experience and education, self-denial despite strong desire, submission out of trust, boldness despite fear, persistence even in exhaustion, gentility mysteriously paired with zeal, and last [but not although truly] least, pure style.
But that's not all. What's also so very relevant is that in most cases for each women, there is a man nearby who bears beautifully complimentary characteristics, blending together in a symphonic and miraculous movement we call family.
This surrounded-ness in my life is a good portion of the reason why I love, despite the stresses it brings, to take photos of marriages and families. It's a feast day for each victory of human virtue through the lens, and I'm re-convicted every single time I snap the shutter (and I'll shoot anywhere from 1,500 to 4,000 photos in one wedding day...that's a lot of conviction.)
The couple in these photos is the brother and sister in law of two of my brothers-in-law (confused? Try to not figure it out. Read about this phenomenon of familial ties here.) They, along with their kids, could be one of the boldest examples of this wonder. The first time I met them, they shared with me their beautifully intimate conversion story as a family and I was in tears. The first time I met them!
It's appropriate that today is Tuesday of Holy Week, because it is a holy reality, the self-sacrifice that whirs back and forth in families like these. This week, for those moments that I mainly just want to scream at my husband or daughter, I'll think of the people like those in these photos and hope I can act on the inspiration.
Enjoy, and I wish you a most joyful Easter!
Rachel
Mini Sessions, Big Families :-) :: Family Photo, Columbus, Ohio
