Back in 2007, I photographed one of my first weddings for a San Antonio couple.  What a joy it was, as well as a learning experience!  Welll, at the start of this year, I had the opportunity to photograph this family at one of San Antonio’s scenic parks, Brakenridge Park in the downtown area. Since their wedding, this couple has welcomed two new people into the world.

In this post, which was previously “sneak peaked,” I have included images from this recent portrait session, and you will notice a focus on the children.  I could attribute the emphasis of this post to the fact that I love children or to the fact that our children are our future… I could even attribute the nature of this post to the fact that these children are soooo absolutely cute!  But today I am focusing on the children because I remember reading somewhere that you will and can judge a tree by its fruit.

Earlier this year, I had the opportunity to spend some time with this family, and words cannot express the joy that filled my heart in being around them.  Their genuine love for each other is not something that I always see in our culture, especially not among younger families.  But in this family, I saw love, support, honor, obedience (which probably goes hand in hand with honor), care, well-wishes, modesty, wise choices, and maturity.  The children were mindful of the rules and the instructions given by their parents.  They did not talk back to their parents, nor did they roll their eyes.  They did not try to cause harm to each other or anyone else.  The children were very appreciative of gifts without a sense of entitlement.  They liked to play, as well as learn and read.  The truth be told, watching these children made me look forward to having a family of my own one day.

Anyway, I share all of this not to subliminally reference “bad” kids that I have encountered along this journey.  Not at all! I shared this to say that you will know a tree by its fruit, and this couple has been very purposeful in the rearing of their children and the establishing of rules in their home, and it shows!  It shows when you engage these children in conversation or play.  It shows when you see their manners.  It shows when they ask to eat bell peppers instead of candy as a snack.  It shows when you watch them interact with their parents.  For me, it shows when I am directing the portrait sessions.

With this post, I wanted to honor these parents because they truly are doing what they have been called to do!  Raise up a child in the way that he should go, and when his old, he shall not depart from it…

Below are some throw back pictures of this couple back in 2007 when I photographed their wedding…

And now, for where they are now!