Some families just have that thing. And this family? I’ve been lucky enough to photograph them every six months for the last 10 years. That’s twenty sessions together, and each one has been full of laughter, adventure, and the kind of moments that make my heart happy. So when they asked me to photograph the kids’ grandfather’s 90th birthday celebration, of course, my answer was a giant, resounding YES!
The whole crew gathered at Beacon Hill Park, traveling from all over B.C.—and even as far as Australia—to celebrate this incredible milestone. We did take a few classic family portraits (because, let’s be real, no family event is complete without at least one “everyone smile at the camera” shot). But the real magic happened in the in-between moments:
- The grandkids tearing around the park playing tag and a game they called “Capture the Crook” (which I’m 99% sure they made up on the spot).
- Grandma and grandpa watching their growing family with the kind of love that comes from nine decades of living and loving.
- And my absolute favorite —when the grandparents hopped on the swings like two lovebirds who’ve been partners in crime since forever. (Seriously, find someone who looks at you the way these two look at each other after almost 70 years of marriage!)
The best family sessions are the ones where everyone forgets they’re at a photo shoot and just lives in the moment. That’s exactly what happened here. The kids climbed, ran, and giggled. The adults swapped stories and wrapped each other in hugs. And grandpa? He just soaked it all in, surrounded by the family he built.
A huge happy 90th to the man of the hour—what a legacy of love. (And to his grandkids: I still have no idea what the official rules of “Capture the Crook” are, but I support your enthusiasm.)
