I have always been the photographer in my family. I’ve been the one taking the pictures at family functions, first with a brick of an iPhone, and now with my beloved camera. I’ve been the one telling my cousins how to stand so everyone can be seen at Christmas (not an easy task with a family our size) and the one helping to pose my grandparents in front of the magnolia tree in their front yard on Easter.
For my grandparents’ 60th wedding anniversary, I wanted to give them a gift that would be more meaningful and special than anything I could buy – I gifted them a photo session.
My grandparents were married on June 26, 1960. Our shoot was almost 60 years to the day later!
Because my grandpa has advanced Alzheimer’s, I knew we would not be able to shoot in ideal lighting in the evening, when the sun’s rays are less bright and the colors are perfect for capturing portraits. The lighting was challenge #1 for us – challenge #2 was my grandfather himself! Luckily, I was able to find some areas that were shaded to aid with the bright light we were experiencing in the late morning, as well as keep Grandpa happy out of the heat.
If you know my grandpa, you know he is famous for his “Jerry jokes.” They’re dad jokes, only dryer, wittier. Even with his disease progressing, he still cracks them. One of my favorites was heard during our shoot when I got a phone call from my sister: “Every time I hear that phone, it’s ringing.”
Perhaps one of my favorite jokes of his throughout the shoot was when he pulled out his rosary and proceeded to have me say the rosary with my left hand while holding my (expensive) camera with my right hand and attempting to hit the shutter π
It was a fun day and I am so happy we have some updated photos of Grandma and Grandpa, especially because Grandpa is not always up for pictures! Happy Anniversary π