What is it that forms a family and binds it together? Love. Loving one another and cherishing children. This is a small fragment of the affectionate world of Annabelle, Denniz, and their little daughter Coco.
Love, with its warmth, intimacy, and sense of security, is undoubtedly what I seek during my time with a family. My past experiences have taught me that everything I seek is found in those who embrace life as it unfolds, embracing all it offers. I’m drawn to individuals who bravely reveal their true selves and take pride in the families they’ve constructed. Ultimately, it all originates from within, igniting from the core of your being.
Your child’s first birthday is a truly special milestone, marking a significant passage of time. It signifies a full year of shared experiences as a family that, not long ago, welcomed a new member. Yet, since that introduction, so much has transpired – a wealth of joys and an abundance of love. Life’s journey continues, but this moment is an opportunity to pause and celebrate, etching another remarkable point onto life’s map, adding another brick to the story.
Hanging homemade decorations, harmonizing a joyful birthday tune by the little one’s bedside, and the delightful unwrapping of presents, all with the helping hands of her older brothers. The shared breakfast and the moment of extinguishing the magical birthday candle – these are homegrown traditions that lend uniqueness to your family life. Among these traditions, there exists a space for the tenderest of gestures and exchanges of glances. None of these moments would hold the same significance without you and your cherished loved ones.
Reflecting on these cherished moments transports me back to my own first birthday. While I can’t personally recall the details, photographs paint the picture. I see my infant self, bald and dressed in a fancy outfit, blowing out a candle atop a cake adorned with red jelly and whipped cream spelling out “STO LAT.” Beside me stands my mother, the baker of that cake, and numerous others who gathered to celebrate. I see my home, my hometown, a place I departed long ago. And as I glimpse this memory, I recognize it as one of the most distinctive days of my life – my sole and unique first birthday, a time of warmth and splendor. It is my hope that Kenna will one day reflect on her own first birthday in a similar light, through these treasured first birthday photos.
Nicky en Tom, doorgewinterde ouders, koesteren als geen ander de onschatbare waarde van de tijd die we met onze kinderen mogen doorbrengen. Het is een periode om hen te begeleiden, te verzorgen en eenvoudigweg deel uit te maken van hun kindertijd.
Een gezinsfotoshoot bij hen thuis was de ideale keuze, waardoor ze moeiteloos konden meestromen en konden genieten van deze eerste momenten als een gezin van vijf. Dit was precies waarom ik er was: om authentieke individuen en hun echte leven te vieren door enkele portretten van deze ogenblikken te creëren. Portretten van een zorgzame moeder, beide ondersteunende ouders en hun vrolijke, opgetogen jongens die op een vertrouwde bank springen. Deze portretten dragen hun herinneringen met zich mee en zullen hen in de toekomst terug laten kijken naar het begin van dit gedeelde avontuur.
Het spreekt voor zich dat ik nog steeds oprecht verheugd ben dat ik degene was die deze bijzondere momenten voor hen mocht vastleggen <3.
A homeshoot is actually a coffee meeting that results in some photos of you. It was a morning with Fenneke. I knew I will shoot that day but had no idea of what is gonna be shown and what I will be able to see. Let's say I totally did not expected we will end up with most sincer portraits we have ever took together. These photos have provided me some food for thought. Like those words of Fennie she shared couple weeks later...