I had the opportunity to meet the Lucas twins at their home a few weeks ago. This family is one of my favorites and meeting the newest additions was nothing short of amazing. Rachel and Kevin are both incredible people all in their own respects, Kevin runs a successful Home Inspection company and Rachel has made a life long career out of her love for animals. Particularly her dogs! It's truly remarkable what these two have accomplished and their home is stunning. I am not sure how these two get it all done but I was able to take a small glimpse into their new routine as twin sons Finn and Everest have made their way home! Nana Karin was there and she is nothing but awesome! I always love how she can make me laugh! It's always a wonderful sight to see a few generations in a room together. You could tell by the way Nana Karin spoke of her grand children she was a beaming and proud Nana! 

I have always viewed Mothers like Rachel as radiant and remarkable. It's incredible what the body can do and what a woman is capable of. She is career and goal driven but also raises a family. Most recently she has given birth to two babies at once! Rachel looked wonderful for just having a set of twins and the babies were beautiful. A true joy to witness and be around. Rachel has made a life and name for herself in the professional ring of dog showing. Possibly most well known for her business Canine Cabin a dog boarding and grooming facility. State of the art and handcrafted by Kevin and Rachel on the same property as their home. I honestly don't know if there is anything out there like it! From her dogs on covers of bags of dog food to the numerous titles and ribbons found around the entire home. It feels as though you have entered the home of a celebrity. 

After our initial meet at the door the afternoon I arrived for pictures Rachel had let me know she would love some pictures of the dogs and the babies together. At the time I thought of course and didn't think too much about it. She's a famous dog whisperer I was kinda hoping she would ask! We tried our best with the help of Rachel giving her dogs Pike and Grizz cues to sit and lay next to the babies. The dogs are really a staple part of the family and seemed like they really adored all the children. SO fun. 

I was able to work the big kids next and after that Mom and I had agreed we were all pretty tuckered out after all of that! The big kids did such a good job but you can only ask a 4 and 5 year old to sit so long for pictures! 

The next morning after our session I saw Rachel and Kevin posted a loving tribute on their social media that unfortunately their dog Pike had passed away. Pike can be found in the photos of the babies with his sweet deposition and creme coloring. It got my mind racing and at first I was crushed for this family. Then I started thinking about the pictures we had just took the day before. I hope these photos turned out, I pray these photos turned out. Photography is a tough and challenging business. Just like anything. I can't work off the mentality that we have a next time to reshoot if something doesn't go as planned. Which easily happens and happens often. You have to learn to roll with the way the session is going. Sometimes kiddos don't want to cooperate which did not happen in this case. Or what if I didn't have the help from Mom to get the babies sleeping. SO many variables and they all depend on me. I do like the challenge and I really feel drawn towards Lifestyle photography. But so much of that is left out of my control as I enter a clients home and so much of that depends on me to figure out for a well balanced image. 

After I had read the post of their beloved dog Pike I went to work on their session. Mom and Dad had plenty of pictures over the years that made the tears roll down my face as I looked through them. Pike wasn't an ordinary dog, he was that dog. The dog of a lifetime, the dog they started out their relationship with built a life with and brought their children home to. I wanted them to have these just as much as the ones throughout his life. To document his life and faithful service right up until the end. What a wonderful thing for them to look back on, I am assuming it's still a sore spot in their household as I could only imagine. Myself a dog mom. I pray these photos find them again on a day when they're ready and the images bring them a sense of comfort. 

To our faithful and servant companions of the world 

In Loving Memory of "Pike" Lucas 

(8/19/03-3/28/18)

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