In May of 2011, I donated a photo session to a silent auction to help raise funds for Federal Hill Preparatory in Baltimore City. Although I’m not married and don’t have children, I strongly believe in the power of community. Especially one supported by good education. After all, we’re all in this together, part of one large tapestry. The lucky family who won my session was the Gunthers.
The Gunthers have two very active boys who were a joy to work with. The moment they stepped out of the car, they were off—running around, playing, and crashing into my reflector with laughter echoing in the air. They were boys being boys, full of energy and mischief. In many ways, they reminded me of my cats when they were kittens. They engaged in playful antics like their own version of Angry Birds.
We were fortunate to have perfectly warm autumn weather on the day of the session. Just a few weeks earlier, it had been cold and gray. So, this sunny day felt like a gift. The session took place at Kinder Farm Park and by a dock around Severn Park, Maryland. Both offered beautiful backdrops that complemented the family’s vibrant energy.
Gear Used for the Family Photo Session
To capture the dynamic and lively moments of the Gunther family, I relied on my Canon EOS 7D. I used two lenses: the EF 70-200mm for intimate, close-up shots and the EF 16-35mm for wider scenes. This combination allowed me to document both the small details of their playful interactions and the broader, picturesque landscapes of our locations.
Behind the scenes
Behind the scenes, I captured moments that often go unnoticed but truly reflect the essence of the day. As the boys dashed around, I snapped candid shots of them interacting with their parents. The playful exchanges and little pauses between their bursts of energy were priceless. These behind-the-scenes shots added depth to the final collection, revealing the family’s true dynamics. Whether it was a quick adjustment to a stray hair or a shared laugh over a funny face, these images captured the heartwarming spontaneity of the session.
See more heartwarming family photos.
“We cannot wait to start decorating our walls with the pictures.”
Jiho did such a wonderful on our pictures. He was so patient with the moving targets (our 2 boys) and was able to capture their personalities and some beautiful family shots. We cannot wait to start decorating our walls with the pictures. Thank you Jiho.