Outer Banks Family Portraits | Nags Head Family Photographer | The Pasquarell Family

Is it too soon to want to go back to the beach yet? Every time I look at pictures from our vacation this year, I can't help but get excited for the possibility of going next year. Yes, I'm a little sad that my big vacation of the year is passed, but I have nothing besides good memories to look back on - and lots of pictures!

I mentioned in my post about our vacation that we took aside a night for updated family pictures. For the most part I didn't work during the week, but it's too important that my family has great, updated portraits - especially since both my sister and sister-in-law are expecting little ones within the next few months!

In some ways, it is a difficult thing to take pictures of my family. I know them each so well, and any picture that doesn't capture their personality screams at me. At the same time, though, looking back on their pictures gives me such joy. I love each one of these people so much - they are truly some of the most important people in my life. So, without further ado, our crazy, right-before-a-storm, we-have-one-hour-to-finish-these family portraits!

We're so excited to meet my nephew next month...clearly, Grace has been the cutest thing around for awhile, so I can only imagine what he will be like ;)

It blows me away that this is my LITTLE sister...she's always been beautiful, but when did she grow up so much?!

Mom and Dad, married for 30 years and still so happy together.

My older sister and her husband are beyond excited to welcome a little girl this fall.

I just love these of my aunt and uncle! Their outfits were my favorite.

We got a few pictures, thanks to my mother-in-law who manned the camera for us :)

...and here's the two big groups, my wonderful siblings and then everyone in my immediate family!

The Brynilsden Family, Part 2 // Fort Monroe Family Photographer

I absolutely love getting to know people, and I'm so glad to have met Dianne and her family. Not only do I get to spend time with them, I get to do so four times over the course of this year as we chronicle little Oliver (and Ethan's!) growth throughout his first year of life.

After a session during the midst of the stormy season here that got rained out, we decided to change things up a little and schedule an early morning session on the fields and beach of Fort Monroe in Hampton. Sometimes kids are the most amiable in the mornings, so we thought it would work perfectly...and it did! Oliver was full of smiles the whole time, and Ethan's favorite part was playing with bubbles when we headed down to the beach.

These little guys are growing so quickly (click here see their first session just a few months ago!) and I can't wait to catch up with them again in September to see where they go next! 

Dianne just loves her boys!

Ethan is definitely the more active of the two, so dad got some playtime in :)

Just look at that smile!

Their family time at the beach was precious. Ethan occupied himself with bubbles and the water, and Oliver got to stick his toes in the sand. 

Such a sweet family! Can't wait to see them again this fall!

The Klausmeier Family // Suffolk, Virginia, Family Photographer

I always get excited when I receive an email from someone who I've never met before - it's such an honor to be considered as the photographer for any wedding or family session, especially when I get the chance to create a personal connection with someone new. Marietta contacted me about scheduling a session with her and her boys, and when the day finally arrived, it could not have been more perfect.

From the laughter to the joking to the sincerity in their interactions, it is obvious that the Klausmeiers truly enjoy being around each other. Even if the boys pretended they didn't love the pictures, they were more than happy to be themselves and stay in the moment. They were goofy, fun, and hilarious, but certainly never boring.

I'm so excited for this family as they embark on the next chapter! Two are going off to college this fall, with the oldest returning to an overseas teaching post, leaving Mike and Marietta home alone for the first time in many years. When I pulled these two aside for a few pictures of just them, however, it became obvious that they are looking forward to time spent together. And after 30 years of marriage, that's quite the achievement. I'm so thankful that I now know all 5 of these wonderful people!