Extended Family Session//Tetherow Crossing

This Extended Family Session is so near and dear to my heart for sooooo many reasons; and to think, I almost didn’t take it! 

Julie reached out to me a few weeks ago about an extended family session to celebrate her parents 55th wedding anniversary, (insert mind blown emoji here) with a catch that she really wanted the session to be at her parents vacation home in Northwest Redmond…. Right down the road from my parents home! 

I don’t usually allow clients to select new locations; I go through a rigorous scouting process to find session locations and put together an extensive PDF to help my clients select one. I look at the distance from town, lighting, backdrops, parking, foot traffic, and color tones to determine what locations I’m going to offer… going into totally unknown scenarios is not the ideal way to promise a good product! BUT Julie described where the home was, it turns out it was a beautiful river home I’ve driven by at least a few hundred times so I agreed I could make it happen. 

As I was learning a bit more about Julie’s family she explained to me that her mother has Alzheimers. GUT PUNCH. As it turns out, about a decade ago in a different life, I worked nights as a caregiver at a memory care facility; I realized we had unknowingly found a perfect fit! I assured Julie that I was well aware how to handle the forgetfulness and mood changes that come with her condition and not to worry! 

Then came the night of the session and we were so pleasantly surprised; Mom was so thrilled that her whole family was together. She was a little forgetful at times of why we were all together but she beamed with pride to be with her three children and four grandchildren at their beautiful home on the Deschutes River. 

I drove away completely overwhelmed with how fun and peaceful this Extended Family Session was. I immediately wanted to encourage everyone I know to just; get the photos. Schedule the session. No matter what you’re worried about, its so worth having these moments. I know as Mom inevitably loses her memories these photos will bring her and her family so much joy. I’m so grateful I was able to take part in preserving her family’s story. If this story has you ready to pencil some time into grandma and grandpa’s schedule I am HERE FOR IT! Its such a special heirloom that I so wish I had with my own grandparents. Head over to http://juniperandrustphotography.com/info to get all the info you need to schedule a session.