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Momma Alyssa, Daddy Rich and kiddlet Murph are absolutely inspiring. This is the type of family that just draws you in. This was one of those shoots that I just kept wanting to scream because I couldn't contain my excitement, passion and fascination with everything that was happening in front of me. Little Murph in his Where the Wild Things Are outfit just made me melt. I was in heaven.
It was raining on us for the entirety of this shoot and I think it only added to the honesty of it all. To me, the rain made it all a little more real. Upon meeting this family in person the things that immediately stood out to me where authenticity and imagination. So I really wanted to capture that spirit about them. The Mattingly's didn't let the rain phase them for a second. We went out into the blueberry fields of the property we were staying on in Upstate NY and I rolled around on the ground with the family as they laughed and tickled and laughed some more... it reminded me of being a child again and I loved it. These are the moments I love about what I do.... the moments where I just get lost in it... where I feel like I am part of it all... the beautiful seconds where I am laying down on the ground with Murph and he gives me the most honest look you could give someone... those magnetic seconds where I am able to see these beautiful parts of him and freeze it in time forever. It's exhilarating.
There is something about working with families that really makes me come alive. I think it is because I see the value in how much these moments of honesty will mean to them as they look back later on in life. I'm sure Murph will LOVE these photos coming out to his high school girlfriends as his mom shows them a photo of him in his little "Max" suit ;) lol.
This shoot means so much to me.... the people in it are just amazing..
Thoughts
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Really great set
This shoot is almost a year old and I keep coming back to look at it. I just showed these images to Cindy and I love them so much that I can't even tell her why!
i come back to this shoot all the time.
i feel like i could be friends with this family.
Hopping over from Molly Flanagan- love, love, love it! Oh my- sweetness, imagination and beauty to roar over!
This is such an amazing shoot! I absolutely LOVE all of your work, but I think this is my fav yet! God bless and keep the inspiration coming :)
absolutely adore this shoot! so sweet and so cute!!!
Big, swelling, hurty feeling in my throat. Every family should have images like these. Unfortunately, every family's maybe not as cool as these guys! ;)
I love these photos! They're wonderful and I love that the little boy wore his "Where the Wild Things Are" costume!
i'm in love. these are wonderful.
Aaaaaaaaa! You captured this family perfectly!!! The spirit in this shoot completely embodies the raw emotion of Max in Where the Wild Things Are. I feel like this short collection of stills is just as emotionally gripping as the film. It really portrays the youthful spirits of the parents and how they all love each other undoubtedly. What a wonderful environment for this child to grow up in and what wonderful parents to join in the freedom and adventure of childhood with their child. You are beyond stellar!!
Wow, Sarah. Haven't seen this until today and it is magical. Amazing family, moments and all comes together so well in this series. Magic!!
What is this water coming from my eyes?
Are you... for real?
You... you win at life, madame.
I've never liked any family session by anyone until this one. I've come back to look at this all week. xo.
Sarah, you're an incredible photographer. This family is the best of the best of the best. You win... I'm not worthy!!!!!
Ok, these photos are insane. I want to be where this family is. I want to be a part of this family. And I want to be this family (when I grow up ;) )
Absolutely perfect in every way.
Really fun images! Great work.
Really fun images! Great work.
3rd from the end is so epic i don't even have words to.........................
Beautiful works of art....they will be happy with these images for a lifetime!
I love this shoot.. so fun.. and the kid and parents are adorable!! great photos! does it get any cuter... cheers to you both..
kyle @ s28
BEAUUUUTIFUL. so very touching and warm and sweet. how do you do it? answer me, woman! :)
Wow Sarah!! This is one of my favorite famliy sessions ever. Outstanding work and a beautiful family.
This may be my favorite shoot ever...holy cow that's AWESOME!!
So touching Sarah, awesome shoot and awesome memories for this family.
I think this photo shoot has to be the best one hands down. There is just something so raw and beautiful about them.
An adorable family and fabulous photos!
Sarah, hands down my favorite shoot. I'll leave it at that :) Keep up the FABULOUS work.
so inspiring and what a great example of connecting with your clients.
This melts my heart! Your posts are always so refreshing and your photography, inspiring!
This session is fantastic. So cool.
This session is fantastic. So cool.
MAX! These are so wonderful.
Oh my heavens! Only you guys could make a rainy day this awesome! I LOVE these! They're like stills from a movie....*sigh*
So much wonderful life in these :) Wonderful.
This is magical. There is something very special in these photos. What a precious gift to be able to capture this. :)
i just LOVE these. gonna go hug my 3 year old boy now. thanks!!
Actually, Sarah, I think if I show these to Murph's high school girlfriends, he'll probably be pretty proud, because he'll know none of them could possibly have photos of themselves anywhere near as awesome as these. I can't even begin to say how happy we are with them. We love them, and I know that one day when Rich and I are long gone from the world that Murphy will look at these and know, without question, how much we loved him. Thank you for doing such a beautiful job. You two rock.
These images are totally inspiring. Being primarily a family photographer myself I'm totally inspired and in awe. Thanks! These are REAL!
I absolutely love this. So beautiful!
This is probably my favorite photo shoot! Amazing!
these make me so so so happy! so much love.
Brilliant. Seriously.. love every one.
wow. once again i'm completely blown away by every part of these photos. so inspiring, and what a beautiful family!
I love how you described this shoot as 'honest'. That's what stuck out to me. I love the emotion in the shot of Alyssa and Rich standing in the rain with their heads up! That's my fav!
Wow Sarah! You've outdone yourself again. This is one of my favorite shoots from you probably. I can tell this family is so real and genuine just from your photos. So many great ones, I just can't choose a favorite! : ) Well done.
Soooooo amazing.
this makes me want a lil' wild thing.
these are so moving beyond words.
So beautiful Sarah.. your words and the story you told throught these images made me tear up. I love the frame with Murph out of focus in the foreground focusing on the parents in the background and what shines bright is her necklace with the M on it...I am sure it stands for Murph or their family name.. its close to her heart and shows the importance of this bond that they have.
This might just be my favorite session of yours I've seen. Beautiful & fun. These are amazing!
What a moving session Sarah! Good stuff....
THIS IS AMAZING! LOVE LOVE LOVE the one 3 from the end! Although they are all rockin!
absolutely magical. I love these images so much....they are just beautiful in every way imaginable. my youngest boy was max for halloween this past year, a beautiful handmade costume very much like this, so special. what a gift you have given this family. xo
c'mon! thats just not even fair ;)
awesome idea and execution!
I love these pictures! What a beautiful family!!! Adorable Max costume! :) :) :)
Oh my word. I ADORE this.
Best family shoot ever!! Inspires me to want to do more family shoots. Thanks for being awesome!
This shoot is inspiring, magical, breathtaking and beautiful. It tells a story of love with rawness and compassion. Thank you for sharing.
zOMG! I love, love, love these.