<span class="drop_cap">I</span> always tell people that my sessions have a very story-like quality to them. The level of story-ness often depends on how much the family relaxes and lets their kids be kids. I can say that this session tops the list for story sessions. And I love it so much for that, and I have the parents to thank completely. From the time they were putting shoes on getting out of the car (you'll see what I mean), they completely took my advice to just let their kids relax and play and be themselves, and because of that we got such fun action shots throughout and had extremely happy kids (almost) the whole time. There was a little bit of pouting towards the end, and I love those images too.

I seriously can't say enough great things about this family. We met for the first time as we were getting out of our cars for the session, and we really had <em><strong>so much fun</strong></em> together. We talked and laughed the whole time, and there was an instant comfort from the second that we met. They sent me the sweetest email after our session telling me how they couldn't stop talking about how comfortable they felt with me and how they just felt like we were all on a family outing. Aww! I adore them. And I can't wait to see them later this year to photograph Baby Number Three!

We had an excellent leader:

<img src="http://shannonhuntphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/1.jpg" alt="Temple Belton Harker Heights Austin Waco Dallas family child senior photographer" title="1" width="850" height="567" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-2311" />
<img src="http://shannonhuntphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/2.jpg" alt="Temple Belton Harker Heights Waco Dallas family child photographer" title="2" width="850" height="638" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-2312" />

I love all the "fighting" ones. In fact, I was wielding a stick sword (or were they light sabers?) and involved in the fight myself while taking photos part of the time. I honestly don't know how my poor camera equipment doesn't get damaged with all the hijinks I get into sometimes. There are more where this came from, including this <a href="http://shannonhuntphotography.com/2011/04/stick-em-up-temple-tx-lifestyle-family-portrait-photography/" target="_blank">"stick 'em up" photo</a>, and I just totally love that when I told this family that we were just going to play for a while that they totally let go and trusted me.

<img src="http://shannonhuntphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/3.jpg" alt="Temple Belton Harker Heights Austin Waco Dallas family child senior photographer" title="3" width="850" height="392" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-2313" />

And can these boots be any more awesome? I'm so glad his parents let him wear them. I think they add so much personality to their portraits.  

<img src="http://shannonhuntphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/4.jpg" alt="Temple Belton Harker Heights Austin Waco Dallas family child senior photographer" title="4" width="850" height="567" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-2314" />
<img src="http://shannonhuntphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/5.jpg" alt="Temple Belton Harker Heights Austin Waco Dallas family child senior photographer" title="5" width="850" height="567" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-2315" />
<img src="http://shannonhuntphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/6.jpg" alt="Temple Belton Harker Heights Austin Dallas family senior photographer" title="6" width="850" height="298" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-2316" />
<img src="http://shannonhuntphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/7.jpg" alt="Temple Belton Harker Heights Austin Waco Dallas family child senior photographer" title="7" width="850" height="284" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-2317" />
<img src="http://shannonhuntphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/8.jpg" alt="Temple Belton Harker Heights Austin Waco Dallas family child senior photographer" title="8" width="850" height="567" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-2318" />
<img src="http://shannonhuntphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/9.jpg" alt="Temple Belton Harker Heights Austin Waco Dallas family child senior photographer" title="9" width="850" height="638" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-2319" />
<img src="http://shannonhuntphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/10.jpg" alt="Temple Harker Heights Waco Dallas family child senior photographer" title="10" width="850" height="567" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-2320" />
<img src="http://shannonhuntphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/11.jpg" alt="Temple Belton Harker Heights Austin Waco Dallas family child senior photographer" title="11" width="850" height="392" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-2321" />

Probably my favorite classic full family shot of the day:

<img src="http://shannonhuntphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/12.jpg" alt="Temple Belton Harker Heights Austin Waco Dallas family child senior photographer" title="12" width="850" height="567" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-2322" />
<img src="http://shannonhuntphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/13.jpg" alt="Temple Belton Harker Heights Austin Waco Dallas family child senior photographer" title="13" width="850" height="392" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-2323" />

I love, love, love their couples shots. They seriously look so happy and newly in love, as if these are their engagement photos.

<img src="http://shannonhuntphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/14.jpg" alt="Temple Belton Harker Heights Austin Waco Dallas family child senior photographer" title="14" width="850" height="425" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-2324" />
<img src="http://shannonhuntphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/15.jpg" alt="Temple Belton Harker Heights Austin Waco Dallas family child senior photographer" title="15" width="850" height="284" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-2325" />

This is probably my favorite 'pouty' photo I've taken in a long time. I love his expression and the sticks being pointed at him on either side. Ha!

<img src="http://shannonhuntphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/16.jpg" alt="Temple Belton Harker Heights Austin Waco Dallas family child senior photographer" title="16" width="850" height="567" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-2326" />

Doing some master karate moves, breaking the stick over his knee! ...Or at least trying to.

<img src="http://shannonhuntphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/17.jpg" alt="Temple Belton Austin Waco Dallas family child photographer" title="17" width="850" height="567" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-2327" />
<img src="http://shannonhuntphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/18.jpg" alt="Temple Belton Harker Heights Austin Waco Dallas family child senior photographer" title="18" width="850" height="567" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-2328" />