Kay called me early in the summer excited that Amy Elizabeth, Mike, and Avery would be coming down from Rhode Island to spend a week at the beach. Now, I don’t want to hurt Amy Elizabeth’s feelings, but I really think Avery (the first grandchild) elicited the most excitement. Wednesday evening found me heading off to Emerald Isle to do some family portraits for Kay, Jeff and the entire clan. David and his girlfriend even made the drive up from Wilmington to be in the pictures. It was a hot, hazy night – but thankfully the thunderstorms held off.

When I first got to the condo, the family was still having dinner – shrimp and corn on the cob. This family knows how to eat! Kay warned me that Avery was a little grumpy – and she was. But, she still smiled and played with me. And when we got on the beach she was an angel.

We started with a portrait of the family.

Amy Elizabeth’s friend, Jackie, was able to get Avery to smile and laugh for her picture. I don’t know what she was doing behind me – but it worked!

Then we broke down and did lots of different groups. I can’t post an example of each group – but here are a few.

Kay wasn’t thrilled that I wanted a picture of just her and Jeff; she was much more interested in pictures of her children and Avery. But, I convinced her that her children would cherish a picture of their parents. I’m so glad Kay relented because I love this portrait. It’s very informal and shows the closeness and love they share after all these years.