Maryland Family Photography // Everett Family // Mt Airy, MD

This family right here! I feel such a strong connection to them. I started taking pictures for their family when their first born, Charlotte, was less than two weeks old. Ever since then, I’ve pretty much been capturing family portraits for them about twice a year, with a few extra thrown in here and there! You can’t not get close when you get to see each other that often! All of our shoots have been full of smiles and happiness, but as I went through this one, I was simply taken aback by the genuine joy pouring out of each photo. ​

You wouldn’t know it from the beautiful images the Everetts take each and every time, but they have had their fair share of difficulties. Between hospital visits for Charlotte when she was just a baby and several losses before finally getting to meet Cole, there has been a lot of heartbreak behind the smiles. ​

They have always been just incredible at finding the happiness in their lives and celebrating the things they have. If they didn’t, I don’t think they would have had so many successful sessions. But like I said, this shoot just felt different. As I went through their gallery and looked at four faces beaming back at me, I felt content. There is nothing this family deserves more than health and happiness, and here they were, finally celebrating both in their lives.

Even if that celebration only lasted twenty(!) minutes!

You heard that right...this session took less than a half hour. Every time I raised the camera to my face, I saw everyone in the frame smiling and laughing back. Charlotte is a pro by now - she knows who I am and she’s familiar with Ro-Ro, the dinosaur that sits on top of my camera (and was named by none other than the Cook twins several years ago!) It would appear that Cole is going to follow right in her footsteps. I was a bit nervous when I arrived because he had clearly just woken up from a nap (and who wants to do anything after taking a nap??) But that camera must have been magic. As soon as I started snapping photos, he was nothing but smiles.

And, um, can we please take a minute to talk about those rolls on baby Cole? Seeing as we had some extra time after photos were over, I admit to spending a couple of extra minutes snuggling up with that cuteness! All while Charlotte gave me the rundown on “her baby” and explained his favorite toys to me. It was less like a photo shoot and more like I had just come to hang out and happened to bring my camera. I’m sure Amanda would disagree seeing as she was the one who had to get everyone picture ready before I arrived!

This family is such a strong one. They have been through the trenches and have emerged on the other side with a beautiful family that is full of love. That love got them through the darkness, it held them together, and now they get to celebrate it as a family of four. Thank you to the Everetts for letting me document your journey as a family. I can’t wait to continue for years to come!