the stauffacher family

Happy Friday, friends!

Many months ago, Stefanie contacted me with a tea party photoshoot she had in mind for her daughter, Tensley. She mentioned she might like to have her son, Braden, dress in costume, as well, and we dreamed up this shoot over the next months.

But before I get to the pictures, there’s something I’d like to commend Stefanie and her husband, Jamie, for. Well, two things, actually.

Sweet, respectable children and a loving marriage example.

I’ve known Stefanie for many years. In a small town, that is often the case. You know someone for more reasons than you can count. In high school, I hung around Stefanie’s family quite a bit. As the years have passed, we see each other’s passings on Facebook, but I had not been around since the kids were growing up. When I arrived at Stefanie’s parents’ house for the shoot, the kids were so sweet and polite. I think Miss Tensley had been very excited for this shoot for quite sometime. After all, this was her day to be a princess!

Throughout the shoot, as I talked with the kids, it was evident to me that Stefanie and Jamie have invested a great deal of energy into raising Tensley and Braden to be respectful, courteous children. But not only that, Stefanie and Jamie had a great time together. They were truly invested in each other and their family as a whole.

Quite often, when I’m taking family photographs, it’s easy to tell that Dad didn’t think this up. Most times, Dad would rather be doing other things that standing around sweating trying to get kids to behave for a perfect family photo. Not Jamie. Not only was he so very patient and helpful during the shoot, but he made it fun for the entire family. After all, how many grown men do you know will sit at a child’s table in tiny children chairs and share a “cuppa tea” with his kids ON CAMERA. And laugh about it. And instruct everyone to have their pinkies up for a proper event! Haha!

Now, he may hunt me down after this comes out, but I commend him for many reasons. For loving his family so well, especially. I’m a firm believer in a tough man, but I’m also a firm believer in a man who loves his family well. A man who casts off society’s expectations of manliness to put smiles on his daughter and wife’s faces. And lest we not forget, all the while, proving to be a strong example of a man, father and husband to his own son.

Stefanie and Jamie, I applaud you. I applaud your efforts as parents and spouses. These things aren’t easy. And they require effort. And patience. But I applaud you. You are wonderful parents. You have created a loving home for two precious children. You are showing them what it is like to be a good person, a good mother, a good father, a good husband, and a good wife. Thank you for nurturing good people. And thank you for allowing me to share in that moment with you all.