Last year a friend passed me the name of a girl that was interested in some family photos.  She was a girl from Ohio but was going to be on vacation in the south.  From the very first moment we spoke on the phone, we instantly became the BEST OF FRIENDS.  We talked like we had know each other since childhood.  We just connected about every subject we discussed.  (She now has a place in my BB messenger and frequently receives texts from me.)  So I went to St Simons Island and did a family shoot for my new friend Kim & her husband Dan.  The star of the shoot however, was their little girl, Kenzi.  A smart kid who still remembers my dog’s name because of photos I showed her on my phone.  She regularly asks Kim “where’s Mocha?” . . . too funny.  Anyways, that shoot remains one of my favorite family shoots ever.  Click here for PART ONE and here for PART TWO of that shoot.

I take only a very limited number of family shoots during the year because I am primarily a wedding photographer, but I was VERY EXCITED when Kim called and scheduled a shoot with me.  She wanted me to meet them on Hilton Head Island for a day of hanging out by the pool, lots of girl talk and a great dinner with them.  To say I had FUN and LAUGHED A LOT is an understatement.  It was an amazing day.  Here are some of my favorites.  I had to include this first image where Kim’s hair was all nice and perfectly in place . . . because very soon we were on the beach and it was flying in the wind.  Kim got a sassy new hair cut and it is really cute . . . like SUPER CUTE!

We found these really cool red rocking chairs, but I didn’t have the best background.  I still grabbed a few shots though because they were just FUN chairs.

Kenzi was smiling so BIG that I could not see her eyes . . .

When I told her so, she gave me another look.  (I think she was telling me that this is what “not seeing your eyes” really looks like. ha ha.)

I also got this shot, it doesn’t portray Kenzi’s FUN personality, but it does show her beautiful EYES.

The beach was only a short walk from the house, so we finished the shoot there.

I LOVE this image.  It is something about how Kenzi is standing that makes me happy.

This is another FAVORITE.  I’m not sure why Kenzi was hiding her face from me, because she is not shy around me . . . ha.ha.  But I just love this photo and I especially like how she is holding Kim & Dan’s hands.

The photo on the right shows Dan having as much fun as Kenzi.  He is smiling so big.

Kenzi . . . you are a silly little girl.

I am thinking that Dan keeps Kenzi entertained A LOT . . .

Aaahhhhh . . . Kenzi, you look so grown up here.

I have some photos of this where Kenzi was not screaming, but I actually preferred posting this one, just because.

Cutie-Potootie . . .

Too funny . . . Kenzi was stomping in the water and it was hilarious to me.

Swinging shot . . . YES PLEASE!

Since Kenzi insisted on getting wet, Kim did a quick change into a bathing suit.

Water + sand = MUD and FUN.

It was so dark out but I had to grab this last image to finish the shoot.  Glad I did.  LOVE IT!

Kim & Dan . . . so NICE to meet all your extended family.  I appreciate their warm welcome and kindness to me. AND THANK YOU guys for trusting me again to capture images of your beautiful family. Give Kenzi a BIG HUGG and I will send her a photo of Mocha soon. Love you guys!