Momma Alyssa, Daddy Rich and kiddlet Murph are absolutely inspiring. This is the type of family that just draws you in. This was one of those shoots that I just kept wanting to scream because I couldn't contain my excitement, passion and fascination with everything that was happening in front of me. Little Murph in his Where the Wild Things Are outfit just made me melt. I was in heaven. 

It was raining on us for the entirety of this shoot and I think it only added to the honesty of it all. To me, the rain made it all a little more real. Upon meeting this family in person the things that immediately stood out to me where authenticity and imagination. So I really wanted to capture that spirit about them. The Mattingly's didn't let the rain phase them for a second. We went out into the blueberry fields of the property we were staying on in Upstate NY and I rolled around on the ground with the family as they laughed and tickled and laughed some more... it reminded me of being a child again and I loved it. These are the moments I love about what I do.... the moments where I just get lost in it... where I feel like I am part of it all... the beautiful seconds where I am laying down on the ground with Murph and he gives me the most honest look you could give someone... those magnetic seconds where I am able to see these beautiful parts of him and freeze it in time forever. It's exhilarating. 

There is something about working with families that really makes me come alive. I think it is because I see the value in how much these moments of honesty will mean to them as they look back later on in life. I'm sure Murph will LOVE these photos coming out to his high school girlfriends as his mom shows them a photo of him in his little "Max" suit ;) lol. 

This shoot means so much to me.... the people in it are just amazing..