I’ve been calling this session “The BFF Session”. One of my most loyal clients has been talking about getting his best friends and their families together for a session for a year now, and we finally made it happen. A few weeks ago 17 of us met at Saddle River County Park in NJ while the fall leaves were at their peak colors. It was Nic and his 4 best friends, their wives, and all of their kids. These guys have been best friends since they were little and now they’re all growing their families together. This is literally what I dreamed of my whole life – growing up next door to my best friend & blending our families together as we all grew up. Seeing it in action could bring tears to my eyes. As we all met in the parking lot the kids were so excited to see each other as each family pulled in. I can imagine these kids growing up together just the way their parents did – It’s literally the most adorable and heartwarming thing I’ve ever seen in my life. To be able to photograph it was an absolute honor. Thank you for inviting me to make memories with all of you. <3
We started the session off by cycling through individual families and making portraits of them as a whole and individuals of just the kids. As always, I blend a mix of posed and playful shots.
This last family is expecting a little girl, so I loved that they brought along balloons to use as a prop! <3
…after the individual family shots, we got everyone together for a huge group photo, which ended with a huge leaf fight! It was awesome!
All the kids were hyped after being tossed in the air… Which is what started the leaf fight. One of the dads brought a rake, which was PERFECT because they were able to scoop up all the leaves and toss them around.
I just LOVE the bright fall colors that made the background of these images.
After we got the leaves out of our hair we walked over to the playground to end the session with some candid photos of all the kids playing. Seeing the kids play the way their parents did 25 years ago was so heart warming. #allthehearteyes
Being a part of these memories is one of the highlights of my career – seriously, if anyone else out there wants to setup their own BFF Session, I am so anxious to do this again! <3
The saying, “Friends are the Family you choose for yourselves” rings so true for this group.
With Love,
Heather
Heather Palecek Photography – Hamilton, NJ – Family Portraiture
