For Christmas this year, my husband and I are spending it with his family in San Jose, CA. Just a few days before we made the road trip up from Orange, CA, my new step-sister-in-law, Jessica messaged me on Facebook and requested a lifestyle photoshoot to commence in their 1000sqft home in San Jose. Jessica and her husband Jeff have 6 beautiful children ranging from age 2-17. I was thrilled at the request since I had never done a style quite like this before. Jessica and I first met about 6 months ago at my bridal shower and after hearing such wonderful things about her family, I was excited to capture a glimpse of their cozy life this Christmas season.
“I’m looking forward to capturing this time in our lives as we transition out of the “baby making” phase into “Professional baby raising” phase. Somehow - thinking of this next Chapter in that way makes me feel a little better about it”
“I think what I would like is family portraits in our house. The reason is we are in a transition season and will be leaving this house after around 8 years, the formative years of our kids lives. We have outgrown it, simply because we do not own it. However my Grandfather (the kids Great Grandfather) did a lot of improvements on it, I laid new flooring etc”
The chalkboard wall is strategically placed in their entrance where the family can be creative and welcome their guests.
Ilford 400 - 35mm Film
The perks of being the only daughter is you get your own room, away from smelly boys! Madeline's room doubles as the craft room.
The boys' room doubles as Dad's office during the day.
The recreation room is where the kids use the computers and where they watch movies on a projector. As you can see, they are big super hero fans.
Jessica deco-paged this wall and did many other crafty things to decorate their home. It pretty much blows Pinterest away.
Ilford 400 - 35mm Film
Washington, "Osh" age 6, shows me a photo of the kids from two years ago, before Teddy was born.
Here we have Jeffrey, the oldest child, and Teddy, the youngest.
Teddy sure is the most photographed of the bunch and for good reason.
I mean, look at this face!
Ilford 400 - 35mm Film
Madeline, "Maddo" age 12, said it perfectly after she crossed the lens in this frame, "Oh sorry! Mommy and Daddy moment."
Ilford 400 - 35mm Film
The eggs were prepared by Jeffrey, 17, with fresh garlic, onions, cheese, and cream. These meatballs were provided by the neighbors. Mom made the garlic bread. Jeffrey is quite gifted in the culinary arts. He and his brother Joseph run a business called The Cookie Boys.
Ilford 400 - 35mm Film
Dog pile!! These kids Love each other a whole lot and it shows.
And then it was time to read, no, sing the "12 Days of Christmas" in bed. Everyone. It was truly a joy to capture. The majority of this family spends a lot of time in Mom & Dad's bed, hanging out so why not pile everyone on their bed for some photos in their natural habitat?
Teddy was ready for the grass photo that Jessica usually takes. This time, she got to be in it!
“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”
““We once heard a pastor preach that Proverbs 22:6 in the original Hebrew spoke in terms of the bend of a bow. He said that as a bow has a natural “bend” in it - in order for the arrow to fly straight, we are to raise our children in their natural tendencies. Whether art, business, cooking, medicine... If your child shows gifts and talents, it is our role to encourage and inspire them. Proverbs 22:6 means to me that if our children are pursuing the desires of their heart (as God intended) they will never depart from God as they will feel happy and fulfilled in life. As their parents observing them and their natural ways is our #1 job!”
Be sure to check out Jessica's One Week Wonder Blog, art website and follow her on Instagram @jessicadheilman
