Kelly Kruse Photography: The Kruses

This past year has been a year for big changes in life. I got married, I finished graduate school, started a business, and spent my first summer away from home. It has been full of excitement, possibility, nerves, and even a sort of heartbreak from being so far from family.

At the end of July I had the opportunity to go back to Iowa for my best friend's bachelorette party, and I was lucky enough to get a few extra days off of work so I could go back home and spend some time with family. My sister-in-law, Liz, and I have been talking about doing a family session for a long time. On my last evening at home, I called my sister-in-law and told her the light was gorgeous and to get the kids ready because I was coming over with my camera.

The next week when I was back in Indiana, filled with the blues because I was back into my routine and far from the place where my heart rests, and I opened up this session and started editing in lightroom and I was filled with such gratitude I can't really find words to express it. When I put together their slideshow and watched it for the first time, I cried.

This is the kind of family session I envision - the family session of the present and future. No more lining up in matching colored outfits and sitting on the fireplace mantel. This is the kind of family session that shows who you are. No one needs fancy clothes or an hour of fake smiling at the camera. The kids don't have to sit still for long periods of time or quit playing. This is what families are: movement and noise. Love does not stand still.

Devin & Liz, thanks for giving me the opportunity to photograph you and your beautiful family. I love you guys more than I can ever explain and I miss you with every ounce of myself!

I love shooting backlit shots. Can you tell? There will be a few on this post...