On an early April day, as the dogwood was coming into bloom, I met the Cohen + Francis family for a photo session at beautiful Lake Junaluska.
I first met Shelby the previous fall through a mutual friend when she was pregnant with her son Izzy, and I was touched when she wanted to commission me for a family photo session. Her husband Billy is from England, and his parents and brother were visiting this spring. Shelby’s parents joined us as well so that the whole family could be together for this session. It was so sweet to meet Izzy on the other side, as well as the rest of the family.
In addition to digital photos, we did some experimental double exposure 35mm film photos as well! Shelby shared the following about our session together:
Right from our initial consultation, I loved working with Rita. She listened attentively to my vision for the photo shoot and understood the importance of this milestone—capturing two families with their first grandchild.
On the day of the shoot, when faced with our large and sometimes chaotic group, Rita remained unfazed. She skillfully managed to coordinate and direct everyone, ensuring that every family member felt included and comfortable in front of the camera. Even amidst the chaos, Rita's positivity and professionalism shone through!
Throughout the session, she effortlessly captured heartfelt laughter, tender moments, and the love shared between generations. The final photos were beyond our expectations. If you're looking for a photographer who captures authentic moments while remaining calm and professional, I wholeheartedly recommend Rita. She is a true artist, and we are so grateful for the beautiful memories she captured for us.
It was a delight to document this sweet family that doesn’t get to be all together very often! There was a lot of love present, and I feel honored to have been able to capture it.
