As with many families a meal in our family is more than just food. It is a social event especially on those special occasions. I looked around and remembered some members who are no longer with us but are still with us in our hearts enriched by our memories of them. Those memories shine brightly in the faces of their children who now sit before us as adults.
As I looked at my nephews and nieces, I thought of when they were young children and their parents had brought them to our family gatherings. They were so young, brimming with hope and vitality. Their futures were bright with promises of their own successes and their own families. I felt a warm excitement inside of me from the knowledge that they are well on their way to fulfilling those promises. Now as they become adults, they bring wives, future spouses and their children with them to the table. We have young faces at our table once again and it is wonderful to see the new faces of promise.
I picked up my camera and fulfilled the time honored tradition of capturing memories and as I did, I smiled from deep inside: a smile of hope and promise reflecting from their precious faces through my lens into our collective memories!
I photographed little Lillian, whose eyes capture your hearts; her parents Pete and Laura never too far away!
That is our niece, Dayna, Lillian's loving aunt, helping her brother
Pete with Lillian's shoes!
I can tell Lillian is a Brandano because she's talking and socializing while trying to eat!!!
As we were eating our meal Laura began feeding Lillian her dinner. Lillian enjoyed eating and wearing her food!!
I think Lillian was telling her uncle what she thought of me taking her picture while she was eating!!
I just love those blue eyes!!!
I'm not sure what she does better; eat or wear her food but she looks really great doing it!!!
I also took pictures of future Rock Star, Joel!! This young guy is a
lover already.That is my beautiful niece, Alexis playing with Joel!
Joel's granddad, my brother Vin is helping Joel take show off his shirt!! That writing on the shirt states, 'Lock Up Your Daughters!!'
We can see why his shirt has that written on it!!! Joel was smitten with Lillian. Well, the kid has great taste!!!!
I think Lillian would rather have her food!!!
You just can't help wanting to kiss Lillian. Everyone followed Joel's lead!!My brother, Rick is giving Lillian a kiss!
AHHH, safe in mom's embrace!!!
Lillian, Joel and their mothers; Laura and Andrea.
Have you noticed how Joel isn't taking his eyes off of Lillian???
You could just tell this was going to happen lol!!!
You might ask if these were all truly candids? Well, maybe not all were, not in the strictest interpretation of candids. When I started with Lillian they were but she caught on to what I was doing and started playing to the camera. To be honest, she was just too damn cute not to include all the images. As for Joel? Did he seem interested in me or the camera? Especially when Lillian came around!!! I don't think so!!!
I know we all wish for lives full of love and prosperity for all the children!! Look at these faces! How could you not???