Megan Squires Photography » Sacramento Area Children Photographer, Roseville Family Photographer, Rocklin Portrait Photography, Orangevale Maternity Photography, Folsom Infant Photographer

When I posted the Deserving Dad contest back during Father’s Day weekend earlier this year, I had no idea the response I would get. After reading and re-reading (through tear-filled eyes) all of the entries, my selection team and I decided on this family to receive one of the complimentary sessions.

“I would like to nominate my husband, Earl, because of all he has sacrificed for our family this year. A year ago we were struggling to stay afloat financially. Christmas was coming and we had no way of providing the kids with the Christmas they dreamed of. As a parent it was heartbreaking. While we did have some angels step in to help us out, we needed to find a solution to our financial problems. My husband Earl had been offered to go to New Jersey for the Army to train deploying soldiers and had turned it down because of the time and distance commitment. Christmas last year changed his mind and in February, he drove his truck out there and started his orders. Earl has been living alone and with other soldiers since then and will be returning home in February. This position with the Army was just what our family needed to catch up on a mountain of debt and bills, as well as being able to put aside a savings plan – finally! Our family has been so blessed because of my husband’s decision and I am so very proud of him.”

And I just had to include some images of Jen by herself. Seriously–she is one hot mama! Though she nominated her husband, she is so incredibly deserving too, and has had an amazing journey this past year as she trained for and ran her first half marathon in Disneyland.

California. The Golden State. The state where everyone is a surfer, everyone is friends with a celebrity, and the sun shines year round.

Well, I can tell you for sure that those stereotypes are definitely just that–stereotypes. Especially after this session. A couple of weeks ago Christi and I spent the afternoon texting, emailing and calling as we both acted as unofficial meteorologists trying to figure out if the rain would hold off for their family session. We ended up rescheduling as I watched the torrential downpour outside.

So after a couple weeks of gorgeous blue skies the new date for their session rolled around and what do you know–rain in the forecast. We were both so hopeful as we left our homes and headed toward the location for the session. The whole time I was on the freeway I felt like those storm chasers on the Discovery Channel. Blue skies all around but one patch of dark grey and I was driving right toward it. When we both arrived at the garden we decided to just do the session in the sprinkles and I’m so glad we did because we got some amazing images and barely got wet.

‘Tis the season for family sessions and I’m working hard to get everyone’s sneak peeks up on the blog. This family was just too adorable not to share. Little {S} is in Abby’s preschool class and she is just a doll. I had such a great time at our session and it’s the perfect example of how sessions in and around the studio offer the perfect balance of urban and nature options.