I met Toni 3 years ago when our husband’s were both Tarantulas at Fort Irwin, CA. Believe it or not, I never did get to photograph her family, however, she assisted me a few times on photo shoots and I do have shots of her working. She can hold an off camera flash and umbrella like a boss! She got into a disagreement with a Joshua tree and lost. She had to fling some flowy fabric and then jump out of the way while on a steep incline (it didn’t look that steep from where I was standing). There were many more but some things are not meant to be shared.
She is full of life and a blast to be around so I was pretty happy to find out they were moving to Fort Bliss. Her husband and son know that once a year there will be photos taken so they were ready. I asked her if they had an idea of any locations and they only had one request, Old Fort Bliss Replica, and then the rest was up to me. I did a bit of scouting to make sure the area I love (Heinrich Park / Hitt Canyon Trail) was good to go and it was perfect.
We met up at the Replica to start and I forgot to mention that there are a lot of goat’s heads at this location which could be problematic with the beagles, Bradley and Beau.
Bradley kept resting his head on his daddy’s leg.
A bunny kept distracting us so we let Tristan (T) go after it. He started off at a slow and sneaky pace.
The image of him running back to us can be see here.
T was ready for a change so we headed to the other side of the Replica for some individual shots.
Toni ~ T, don’t pull things off of the tree.
Huh?
Just one more.
I promised T that he could climb a hill so we took a break to let him do his thing.
I’m this big!
“It’s not what we have in life, but who we have in our life that matters.”
Time for T to play so I can get some shots of Toni and Brent. Luckily, the area we were in was sort of fenced so we could keep an eye on the boys.
“And I’d choose you; in a hundred lifetimes, in a hundred worlds, in any version of reality, I’d find you and I’d choose you.”
~ The Chaos of Stars ~
It was time to gather the dogs and head to the cars to go to Heinrich Park for our next round of images.
This park and trail has become one of my favorite locations in El Paso. There is an unobstructed view of the mountains and there are so many possibilities for some amazing photos. Luckily, or hopefully, the snakes have already gone in to hibernate for the winter. Our biggest issue at the park was the playground and T but he was quickly distracted with some puff balls and the knowledge that he was going to climb a hill.
We climbed up a hill then went down the hill and had a discussion about hills with T. It was all very entertaining. The first shot after going up the hill but before going down the hill on the other side can be seen here. We started with some mother and son time.
“In raising my son I’ve lost my mind but found my heart and soul.”
~ Unknown ~
Now for some T time. I figured while he was interested in what I was doing I would get some individual shots. Well, he was more than ready and appeared under my lens as I was changing the camera settings. I’ll take it!
I had him squat down so I could get the shot I was originally planning.
Stinker.
That didn’t last long so we moved on to some father and son shots. The progression of these is priceless and perfect. He started off so sweet and innocent then…BAM!
“A child’s laugh could simply be one of the most beautiful sounds in the world.”
~ Unknown ~
T decided he wanted to go find some “snackoles” (snake holes) so Brent went with him to see what they could find. Toni and I stayed behind where there were no visible “snackoles”.
Nope, nothing there.
“Come on!”
I figured it was a good time to get a shot of Toni with her 4 legged boys. I couldn’t have gotten this shot if I had planned it. Brent and T were trying to stay out of the way but were in the perfect spot.
She loves her boys, Bradley and Beau.
After the shot the big boys kept on looking.
“We found a snackole!”
It was time to make our way back up the hill to go down the hill. Yes, we had this conversation again.Once we got to the top we stopped for a few more photos with Northeast El Paso in the background.
Brent wanted some photos with El Paso in the background but it was decided that going to the scenic overlook was not a good idea with T, Bradley, and Beau in tow.
T ~ “Aye yai yai!”
“Move out!”
In true form we were going down the hill since we were done but I remembered the red bench that I absolutely love and had yet to use. Just a few more. T just wanted to go to the playground.
Golden hour is awesome!
It’s easy to see where T gets his mischievousness.
They quickly came back to me and I was able to get some great shots of them watching T play. He decided to join us so I went with it.
Some random play time shots.
“Get a picture of me kicking the tree.”
“Watch me slide.”
BradleyBeau
“WE’RE GOING TO MENCHIES!!!!!!!!!!!”
(A yummy frozen yogurt place.)
Whew, what a journey! Thank you Toni, Brent, Tristan, and pups for your patience and cooperation during our session. I’m so glad I finally had the opportunity to photograph your family and am so very happy that have you trusted me with your memories. I truly hope you love your images as much I did taking them for you.
Like a boss!
Bundled up.
