Riparian Preserve Fall Family Portraits

We are currently in the middle of a pandemic and as the days go by and time continues to have no meaning I have struggled to maintain my sanity.  Most of the time I’m fine and then I’ll watch a YouTube clip of something like the 2013 Tony Awards opening number and just sob.  (“So many talented people out of work right now!”)  There are a few things I’ve found have helped keep me from sinking into despair.  Two of those things are my family and nature.  I’m not much of a camper and I’m definitely not a happy camper, but I do love nature.  I particularly love photographing nature.  I also love long walks on the beach and difficult hikes in the mountains.  (I just don’t need to cook and sleep outside, knowwhatimsayin’?) Knowing I’m a part of this vast universe makes me feel both humbled and important.  Being a part of my family makes me feel the same way: humbled and important.  It takes a village to raise a child and during this crisis my husband and I have had to be the whole village for our children.  It’s a lot and it makes us even more grateful for teachers, leaders, and friends who help guide our children into adulthood.

The Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch is a beautiful piece of nature located within walking distance of my home.  We got a quarantine puppy, so daily walks have become part of my routine.  My dog’s favorite walking route is through the Riparian Preserve.  Taking some time every day to enjoy the beauty of the earth and see a friendly face or two (even if they’re masked) has been good for my soul.

This family portrait session at the Riparian Preserve is one of my all-time favorite sessions.  The children were so sweet and kind and the family was full of love for each other.  Maybe it was the awesomeness of nature or maybe it was the fact that they hadn’t been isolated in their home for six weeks.  Who knows?  Either way I’m grateful to have been there to capture it.