I met Meredith in college, we were on The Ohio State University's novice rowing team.  We remained friends throughout college and on into adulthood through the miles and long distance calls.  A few years after college as she planned her wedding, she asked me if I could photograph the cocktail hour between their ceremony and reception, I happily obliged.  Up to that point I had only really done photos of my babies with my little D50.  During her wedding, I took some photos of her niece that her sister, who lives in northern Virginia, really liked.  She contacted me in the fall a few months later, weeks before my first official wedding as a photographer, to see if I was available do a family portrait for her in their backyard.  Neer and Far Photography was born. I have had the incredible opportunity to watch Julie and Paul's daughter, Claire, grow from her first birthday.  That is what I love about my "job".  I love fostering relationships with families and spending time with them even if it's once or twice a year.  Watching their children grow from babies to toddlers to silly, imaginative kids has been truly a treasure for me.  

This past weekend their whole family was in town for the Avon Breast Cancer Walk in DC.  To see entire families come together is an incredible experience, you see each personality come out and how they all interact together.  You see years of bonding, inside jokes, and love bubble at the surface, a phenomena only siblings can bring out in each other.  

I've certainly enjoyed seeing them through the years and am eternally grateful for the trust and encouragement they gave to me. 

You can tell who the clown is just from this picture, it's not the one who is cracking up....this was one of several I took of them laughing.

My dad told me the other day that I've made quite a little business here, I've also made quite a few friends and met some really amazing and loving people.  I am so happy that I was able to see this family one more time before our move, I felt like I have come full circle being in their backyard, the same place I took my first family portrait.  I now feel it's OK for me to leave.

Thanks for stopping by!

Mackenzie