San Diego Photographer – Deann B. Photography » San Diego Wedding & Lifestyle Photography

Before I turned my lens on the adults, I originally had the idea to photograph my young cousins.  Because of a pretty wide age gap and a long distance between us that keeps me from seeing them except for once or twice a year, I have never really had the chance to get to know them.  One of the reasons I’m so glad I took this trip is that I had the chance to talk to Emily & her brother Jordan and hang out with them for a few days.  Even now, a few weeks after I’ve returned home, these photos still make me giggle.

I showed up over on the “kids side” of the yard (you know, the side without all the boring adults) and Emily & Jordan didn’t quite know what to make of this crazy lady with the camera.  So I teased and joked with them… and they teased and joked back at me.  I’m pretty sure they saw through my “cool cousin” act, but they cut me some slack, I guess.  We got some pretty cool shots of them individually… Emily is a gorgeous girl, in the beginnings of teenager-dom.  She has her own style and her own mind and isn’t afraid to let people see her as different.  And on the inside, she is an artist through and through.  She tweaks her own clothes to reflect her unique fashion sense.  She writes poetry.  She travels with a sketchbook to draw and write.  And she showed me the photos that she’s taken of her friends and family and we talked shop for a bit.  I can’t wait to see how she grows and continues to create.  I know big things are in store for her.

Jordan is a mischeivous imp.  He will tease you mercilessly and when you are at the end of your rope, he will give you this smile that warms your heart and makes you forgive everything.  He is all rambunctious boy… not one to sit still for a second.  But he is also as sweet as they come.  He loves animals and they love him.  He’s very funny and when he laughs, it is with great gusto.  He loves his dad and isn’t afraid to show it.  And he adores his sister.  This one is going to break some hearts someday, for sure.

Although I really love the individual shots of Emily & Jordan, it is the ones of them together that really make me smile.  While a lot of kids are intent on disliking each other until adulthood, or forever, these kids have such a great bond.  They are both playmates and friends.  The dynamic between them is real and effortless and lovely.

Thank you, Emily & Jordan, for letting me hang out with you for a few days.  For making me laugh, for sharing your blizzard with me, for running through the sprinklers with me, and for letting me make pictures with you both.  Can’t wait to do it again.