Patrick Pike - Yosemite Wedding Photographer

147

August 2, 2010

It's fairly odd to write the title of this post as "The Glowacki Family" looking at the photographs in this set. Here we have John and Melinda, along with their new-born daughter Savera. But for most of my life, "The Glowacki Family" was John, his two sisters, and his parents - Mr. and Mrs Glowacki to me.

I was so young that I really don't even remember the very first time I met John, but it was a long time ago (I still have a photograph of us together at Halloween in Kindergarten). We both have older sisters who were friends, so it seemed destined that we would be friends, and so it was. Many of my early years were spent with John and it's amazing to still be a part of each other's lives. We played little league together as kids and have enjoyed Dodger games together as adults. At my own wedding, I was honored to have John stand by my side as a groomsman. Now as we have children of our own, it's downright crazy.

I first met Melinda shortly after they had started dating and it was obvious that they would spend their lives together. She balances him out perfectly. They have such a healthy reality about them in the way the approach life. Well almost seven years after they married, they had their daughter Savera and now we have the next Glowacki Family.

We all got together one afternoon near where we both grew up in Souther California. It was incredibly special for me to watch this family hold each other from my viewfinder. After all, this man holding his wife and daughter is the same kid I grew up biking around the neighborhood with. Now their daughter is the start of a whole new generation.

When we were done taking photographs, we all met up with Katie, Tyler and Sophie back at the beach. Then the Glowacki's treated us to some tasty mexican food. John and I sat and talked about the good memories of old times, how parenting is changing us, and the challenges of the future. It was a great night. I firmly believe that good friends are one of life's greatest blessings and I look forward to seeing Savera and the Glowacki's grow. Thanks again!

Comments

Send To A Friend

Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry: The Glowacki Family . TrackBack URL for this entry: http://patrickpike.com/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/146

110

The Alberta Family

May 6, 2010

| Portraits

Over the past few years I have gotten to know Beth of Coarsegold Flowershop. Not only does she own her own business where she does amazing things with flowers, but she also manages to balance that with her beautiful family.

Beth contacted me a few weeks ago and asked me to take family portraits for her. It had been nearly eight years since they had professional photographs taken, and they were overdue. After juggling schedules (mostly mine) we were able to get together and thankfully the weather cooperated. I met the family at their home and I immediately knew where the majority of the photographs would be taken - right in the middle of a field of lupines.

Once I got everything set up and everyone together I snapped one photograph of the family. As is my custom, I showed the photograph to the family and they said it was great (affirming my ego) and that we were done. I was a bit surprised to hear that we were done (normally I take multiple poses of families), but Beth made it clear that it had been eight years since they had last done this and the image was perfect!

I took a few more photographs of the rest of the family and just enjoyed how happy and relaxed everyone was. Spring was in the air, the weather was warm and smiles were all around. It was the kind of day that reminds you just how good life really is.

Comments

Send To A Friend

Beth Alberta says: Thursday, May 6, 2010

Love them!!!Thank you agian Patrick

Patrick says: Friday, May 7, 2010

Thanks Beth!

Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry: The Alberta Family . TrackBack URL for this entry: http://patrickpike.com/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/109

10

The McWatts

March 22, 2010

| Portraits

The McWatt's contacted me just a few days before they planned to arrive in Yosemite. It was their first trip to the park, but a special one; they were coming to celebrate their tenth anniversary and renew their weddings vows. And the best part was that their four year old daughter was going to officiate the ceremony - how cool is that?

Those of you who know me, know that I generally shy away from family photography. It's not that I don't enjoy it (I really do), but generally speaking my photographic vision doesn't line up with traditional family photography clients and I don't like do work that doesn't inspire me. When the McWatt's first contacted me, they made it very clear that they wanted me because of my style photography and how it matched their family. Now we're getting somewhere.

We met up late in the afternoon at the Ahwahnee Hotel and traveled around the park for a few hours. Their family has a lively personality; a mother and father deeply in love, son and daughter wild with life. Their personalities are honest and true. That is what drives and makes the photos, the McWatt's. It's all about them. It was a great experience being able to spend the day with such solid family and get to know them. I look forward to seeing you guys next year!