The Micinski Extended Family Session at Donnell Lake in Vandalia, Michigan

There will be cookies!

I am all about food bribes in pretty much any situation, and I learned the Micisnki grandchildren feel the same.

These troopers held it together during what seemed like the hottest evening to date this summer and managed to come out looking like models. That’s a true talent, and a good gene pool!

Lon and Kathy gathered their family together to update their family photos for the first time in quite awhile this summer and I’m so happy I got to be the one to capture them. This family is one of those that makes you feel more like one of the gang than a stranger in their midst.

A few of the highlights I definitely want to share include the “passing of the torch” from the oldest grandson being known for never having a normal smile in any family photo, to now his younger brother taking the reins. In their sibling photo it was even … strongly encouraged … by big brother “you better not have a weird smile and ruin these!” Luckily every single one of these grandkids is cute as a button! The youngest did make me work for it but I was glad to catch an ornery grin before wrapping up!

It wasn’t just the little ones running around that were the stars of this shoot. It’s become quite a family event at the lake for the grandchildren to find and look after turtles each day. They’ve created an ecosystem for them to hang out in and at the end of each day they return them to where they were originally found. And these kids love their turtles!

The second “tradition” to come to life during this session was the reenactment of the current family photo hanging in the Micinski cottage, featuring high school aged children. It took a few corrections from son-in-laws regarding the correct arrangement, but it came out pretty stinking cute. I can’t wait to see them side by side!

Between Kathy and Lon being such a cute couple, and each of their children being a part of good looking couple, and their adorable grandkids, this was a session filled with gorgeous smiles and the best heads of wavy and curly hair (well….give or take one or two - ha!).

I loved having all of these couples snuggle up and commit to some serious PDA while everyone else gave some hoots and hollers from the sideline. We even had a pontoon boat take the time to give some cheers for the happy couples as they passed by, making them feel like newlyweds once again. I think all of the cheering and noise from the peanut gallery really made everyone feel super comfortable in front of the camera :)

Thank you, Micinski family, for being so fun during what could have been a miserably hot session! Your humor and laughter made it easier to ignore the heat and really enjoy our time together!