It's no secret. I am - and have always been - smitten by family portraits.

There's just something about getting Mom and Dad together with their children and grandchildren that gives me the "feels."

Last fall, I did a session with the Richart family, and it was all about family fun and "the feels."

We met at Mike and Jodie's home one beautiful autumn evening for photos around the pond.

If you've ever tried to try to juggle the schedules of your children and their growing children, you understand what a feat it must have been to get this large group together.

We took individual family photos first, then gathered all the grandchildren together for my favorite photo, "the cousin shot." 

Admittedly, my cousins and I used to hate these photos. It meant we had to stop playing long enough to sit still for a photo that took f-o-r-e-v-e-r to make. Now that we don't live close to each other, I cherish every one of these photos. I'm sure these guys will too.

With the help of patriarch Dave and his grandsons, we prepped for the large group shot. I'd like to think I'm in pretty good physical condition but after watching the Richart men toss hay bales like they were pillows, I'm rethinking that "pretty good physical condition" statement. 

Since the youngest member of the Richart family was still in a fantastic mood, I assembled the entire family for the"whole family" image. The smiles came easily as Owen provided ample entertainment, hiding behind hay bales and giggling. It was a family moment I couldn't have orchestrated had I tried.

The whole session was filled with sweet moments and smiles.

Before calling it a day, I took a moment to photograph Dave and Brenda with their three sons, and then just Dave and Brenda.

After raising three boys and years of marriage, the couple are still smiling. There's hope for us all.