Tuttle Family Session, Kennebunkport Maine

I find the chaotic overjoyed, underslept, connection that happens during family vacations to be inexplicably intoxicating to catch behind camera.

It somehow gets to the essence of it all.

Making time to spend with those you love because it feels so dang right. And not because vacation always feels easy. But it should feel right. Because when your three year old refuses to stand still for anything — not even for the promise of ice cream — or your one year-old breaks down in tears because the beach simply has too much sand — it’s too much!! – you know that when the lights go out at night, you’re in a home filled with safe people and safe hearts that will love you for as long as sunsets exist.

So when you ask me to photograph you chasing them, I’m in. And I get it might not all be easy (and I certainly get that sweet treat bribing is nearly essential), but when you look back at these moments, you’ll remember the lightness, and the warmth. And you ask yourself, “Was that the sun? Or was that our hearts? Or was them all mashed up together?”

In photos, you can’t quite always tell.

Thanks Tuttle Family for reminding me of all of this.