2014-07-30_0027 Well, we feel pretty old right about now and cannot believe Hannah is already a senior. I remember meeting her 6 years ago when I first met Ryan and she was just a little kid. Time is going by too fast and I really need it to slow down ASAP.

So... funny story of how I came to meet the Buren family... Steve (hannah's older brother) is one of Ryan's best friends and Ryan, Steve and his dad were all going to a baseball game in Detroit and Ryan invited me along. We had been talking for a little while through email but had never met in person. So that was the first time we ever met, in a minivan on the drive to Detroit, with two other guys I never met. Pretty much the whole drive there, I talked only to Steve and his dad as the whole Buren family is much more outgoing than Ryan is. 11 months later Ryan and I were married. :)

We have been friends with their family for a while and we were obviously very excited to shoot Hannah's senior pictures. She has grown up to be such a kind, bubbly, free spirited girl and we had a great time during her session. Enjoy the photos!

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Full Album Slideshow: http://www.gauperphoto.com/slideshows

It's hard to believe this day is here. I started this project back in 2011 and since I did it as a gift, it kept getting pushed to the bottom of my list since I had other paid work to handle first. This winter, I worked for an entire week to get it all finished and I'm so incredibly proud of this book. It might be the project I am most proud of in my career so far. I am getting an actual physical sample of the book printed but have not ordered it yet and well, I got impatient and wanted to share it now. :)

We shot Hope and Evan's wedding in 2010 and the following year, they were pregnant. So we started on this journey photographing them at every milestone. Maternity, Newborn, 3 months, 7 months and a year. It's so cool to see them grow as a family and to see what new thing's Renn has learned since our last session. Their newborn photos were taken around their first apartment and his 3 month were at their first home which is where he will grow up. Having photos taken in a place that is personal to you has a lot of value which is why I love in home sessions. Your surrounded by all of your things that are important to you and in a place that feels comfortable. It's really the perfect setting.

We also ventured out to the park and such as he got older and enjoyed those sorts of things, but it's still another place that is natural and fun.

I wish I was a good at sales and could say all kinds of magical sales person words that make people feel things and want to invest in them but...for anyone who knows me, I am not that person. I just spew out words. All I can say is how highly I value this work and how much I hope other people want to have a book like this as well because I would love to continue doing this.

Also, Hope and Evan and pregnant with another boy! I hope this book will be a great memory for their family of when their family was just the three of them, getting their first house and figuring out parenthood.