where my heart is

Taylor graduated from college and we made the drive south with Aaron’s family to hear her name called.

We had a lot of fun. We stayed at the Hotel Del Coronado and this. is. the hotel of my dreams.

Sometimes I find myself wishing I had a wedding to photograph when I’m at the Del.

And then I have to smack myself to remind me that the opportunity to photograph these people, my family, is the greatest blessing I could ever ask for.

My family will be the first ones to tell you that sometimes it is a PAIN to have a photographer in the family.

We can’t just take a photo. I’m moving them into the good light, double checking the photo after some hapless passerby volunteers to take it and inevitably I’m asking them to do just one more.

Just ask Aaron. His eyes start to roll when I ask if he’ll take a photo of me because he knows that I’m going to make him take a million before I am fully satisfied with the outcome. And I’m always yelling if I spy him messing with the settings after I’ve handed him the camera.

But deep down they love it. I know they do.

On the other hand, I couldn’t stop myself even if I wanted to.

I don’t just take photos to make a living. I take photos because I am literally compelled.

Compelled by the love of the story, of capturing the things I want to remember, of needing proof that the love is there, that the moments were real.

I am so deeply thankful for my family. I want to take photos of them all the time just to remind myself that they are real. That I have their love.

They are the reason I love what I do.

And I won’t stop taking their pictures.

…

I’m a Southern California girl and sometimes I miss it dearly.

But home is truly where my family is.

Xoxo
Em